Fibromyalgia (FM) has a broad spectrum of symptoms and overlapping conditions! It is easy to mistake a condition or symptom for another. FM, together with others relating to these factors, is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
FM is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and weakness. The American College of Rheumatology has been a guideline for the diagnosis in 1990. It is defined as the 11-18 tender points throughout the body. When your doctor examines you for FM, he / she is looking for these painful little points of contact and response to pain. These tender points are mainly in the muscles around the neck, shoulders, chest, knees, the region around the elbows, and hips.
I was diagnosed in 1995, but lived with FM for many years before I was finally a name for them. It was a relief in a way, because my pain and fatigue was finally validated, but I did not know what I was in for. Later I realized, many other conditions, I had been associated with FM. The list just kept growing!
FM patients’ symptoms may differ in quantity and degree. It is never exactly the same as the next person. You may have, or have you all (I hope it’s the former), but all the information below relates to fibromyalgia.
Apart from the obvious muscle pain and weakness, the symptoms of fibromyalgia include: allergies, imbalances (problems with balance), dizziness, clumsiness, extreme fatigue, sleep disturbance starts (falling sensation), insomnia, sleep disorders such as apnea, headache, increased menstrual cycle pain, sensory sensitivity, sensitive skin, itching, histamine-like reactions demographic, morning stiffness, strength when walking, blotchy skin, carbohydrate cravings (sweets, too), fungal infections (Candida), tissue trigger, nail ridges, curved nails, ingrown hair, light scarring, anxiety, stress, crying easily, panic attacks, mood swings, sudden irritability, excessive sweating, more than the average infection, vibration or shock, bruising (more than the average person), weight gain or loss, bruxism (nocturnal teeth grinding), numbness and tingling , sinusitis, runny nose (often), ear pain, trouble swallowing, eye pain, sensitivity to certain materials (clothing, bed linen), heartburn, indigestion, weak grasp, breathlessness, tightness in the chest, rapid heartbeat, painful intercourse, impotence, low back pain, burning feet, dry eyes and mouth, hormonal fluctuations, delayed reactions to over exertion or stress, muscle twitch, swelling, mold & yeast sensitivity, pain, frequent urination, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating and nausea.
FM patients are probably familiar with the phrase “FIBRO fog.” It refers to the symptoms of FM, based on cognitive dysfunction, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, words consisting of mixing, the problems with decisions, problems, spelling words that you know, scattered thoughts.
If this is not enough, we can other debilitating illnesses, diseases or syndromes: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Chronic Myofascial Pain (CMP) (formally known as Myofascial Pain Syndrome), migraine (in all forms), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), interstitial cystitis (IC) or painful bladder, mitral valve prolapse (MVP), temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ), insulin resistance (IR), Acid Reflux – GERD, reactive hypoglycemia (RHG), depression and anxiety .
That’s enough, they all want to go to bed and stay there! I had my moments – believe me! Sometimes, it seems intolerable, and that I can no longer be a second, but I must go and so do you! Take it day by day and make the most of your good day. At the end of a bad – they can say it through another day and tomorrow may be better!
I will continue this article series and will cover all aspects of fibromyalgia and all questions, etc., associated therewith.