Although some of the symptoms can be treated, it’s unlikely that they will ever totally go away, with the correct medical intervention symptoms can be alleviated to a manageable level.

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are outlined below.

FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS

Fibromyalgia symptoms cause what is now known as “pain regions.” Some of these places overlap with “trigger points” or “sensitive points,” which were previously referred to as tender spots. However, several of the previously mentioned tender spots have been left out.

The discomfort in these areas is a dull aching that persists. If you’ve had musculoskeletal pain in four of the five pain zones listed in the 2016 revisions to the fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria, your healthcare provider will evaluate a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

The term “multisite pain” refers to this diagnostic procedure. In contrast, the 1990 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria definition for “chronic broad pain” was “chronic extensive pain.”

Instead of focusing on pain length, which was formerly the key criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis, this approach of diagnosis focuses on the locations of musculoskeletal discomfort and degree of pain.

Other fibromyalgia symptoms include:
• Fatigue
• Problems sleeping
• Long stretches of time spent sleeping without feeling rested (nonrestorative sleep)
• Headaches
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
• A dull aching or soreness in the lower belly
• Eyes that are dry
• Bladder problems, like interstitial cystitis

The brain and nerves in patients with fibromyalgia symptoms may misinterpret or overreact to regular pain signals. This could be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain or a dorsal root ganglion malfunction that affects central pain (brain) sensitivity.

Fibromyalgia can also have an impact on your mood and energy level.

Fibromyalgia Widespread Pain

The most common fibromyalgia symptom is pain. It will be felt in various muscles and soft tissues throughout your body.

The discomfort might range from a moderate ache to a severe and almost intolerable ache. Its severity may influence how well you cope on a daily basis.

Fibromyalgia appears to be caused by a malfunctioning neural system. Things that should not be painful cause your body to overreact. You may also have discomfort in multiple areas of your body.

However, current research cannot determine a specific cause for fibromyalgia. The goal of the research is to better understand this illness and its cause.

Chest Pain

The pain of fibromyalgia in the chest can be shockingly similar to that of a heart attack.

The cartilage that links your ribs to your breastbone is the source of chest pain in fibromyalgia. It’s possible that the ache will spread to your shoulders and arms.

Chest discomfort from fibromyalgia can feel like this:

Sharp
Stabbing
A burning sensation
It can cause you to fight to catch your breath, just like a heart attack

Back Pain

One of the most typical places to experience pain is in your back. Low back pain affects the majority of people at some point in their lives. If your back hurts, it’s not always clear if it’s fibromyalgia or something else, like arthritis or a strained muscle.

Other signs and symptoms, including fatigue and brain fog, can help you figure out if you have fibromyalgia. It’s also possible to have fibromyalgia and arthritis at the same time.

Back pain can be relieved with the same drugs that help with other fibromyalgia symptoms. Stretching and strengthening activities can aid in the support of your back’s muscles and soft tissues.

Leg Pain

Fibromyalgia pain can also be felt in the muscles and soft tissues of your legs. Leg pain can resemble the discomfort of a strained muscle or the stiffness associated with arthritis. It could be:

Deep
Burning
Throbbing

Fibromyalgia in the legs can cause numbness or tingle in the legs. A “creepy, creeping” sensation may occur. Restless legs syndrome (RLS), which can overlap with fibromyalgia, is characterised by an overwhelming urge to move your legs.

Leg fatigue is a common symptom of fatigue. Your limbs may feel heavy, as if they’re being weighed down.

Fibromyalgia Extreme sensitivity

Your body may become incredibly sensitive to pain if you have fibromyalgia symptoms, and you can discover that even the slightest contact hurts.

When you injure yourself, such as when you stub your toe, the pain could last considerably longer than it would otherwise.

You may hear the following medical words used to describe the condition:

When you have hyperalgesia, you have a heightened pain threshold.
When something that should not be uncomfortable at all causes you pain, such as a very light touch, this condition is known as allodynia.

Additionally, you can have sensitivity to things like smoke, some meals, and strong lights.

The additional fibromyalgia symptoms you experience may worsen if you are exposed to anything you are sensitive to.

Fibromyalgia Stiffness

You might feel stiff if you have fibromyalgia symptoms. When you have been in the same position for a long time, such as when you first wake up in the morning, the stiffness may be at its worst.

Additionally, it can cause you to have muscle spasms, which is when they uncomfortably contract (squeeze) tightly.

Fibromyalgia Fatigue

Extreme fatigue can be a symptom of fibromyalgia. This can range from a slight sense of tiredness to the extreme exhaustion frequently felt during a flu-like sickness.

You may have sudden onset of severe fatigue, which will deplete all of your energy. You could feel too exhausted to do anything.

Fibromyalgia Poor Quality Sleep

Your fibromyalgia symptoms might include sleep issues. Even if you get a lot of sleep, you could still feel exhausted when you wake up.

This is due to the condition preventing you from getting adequate deep restorative sleep.

This is sometimes referred to as non-restorative sleep.

Fibromyalgia Cognitive problems
(fibro-fog)

Fibromyalgia fog, often known as “fibro fog” or “brain fog,” is a term used by some people to describe the hazy feeling they have when they have fibromyalgia. The following are symptoms of fibro fog:

Memory lapses
Difficulties concentrating
Trouble staying alert

According to a 2015 study published in Rheumatology International, some people find fibromyalgia’s mental fogginess more distressing than the pain.

Fibromyalgia Headaches

You might also encounter frequent headaches if your fibromyalgia symptoms have made your neck and shoulders painful and inflexible.

These can range in severity from mild headaches to severe migraines and may also cause additional symptoms of fibromyalgia like feeling sick.

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia & Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome may also develop in certain fibromyalgia symptom sufferers (IBS).

IBS is a typical digestive disorder that makes your stomach hurt and bloat. Additionally, it may cause diarrhoea or constipation.

Fibromyalgia & Depression

Having the illness can sometimes result in depression.

This is due to the fact that fibromyalgia symptoms can be challenging to manage and that having low levels of some hormones linked to the condition can increase your risk of getting depression.

Numerous symptoms of depression include:

having persistent low spirits

having no hope and being powerless

losing enthusiasm for the activities you normally like

It’s crucial to get support from a doctor or your fibromyalgia healthcare provider if you have been seeing one or if you believe you may be depressed.

Fibromyalgia other symptoms

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia and warning signs that some people encounter are:

Dizziness and clumsiness.
Feeling too hot or cold is a sign that you can’t control your body temperature.
A sudden, intense need to stand up (restless legs syndrome).
Your hands and feet experience tingling, numbness, prickling, or burning feelings (pins and needles, also known as paraesthesia).
Unusually painful periods in women.
Anxiety
Depression