Fibromyalgia is a syndrome rather than a disease.
Unlike a disease,
which is a medical condition with a specific cause or causes and recognizable signs and symptoms,
a syndrome is a collection of signs, symptoms, and medical problems that tend to occur together but are not related to a specific, identifiable cause.
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In addition to pain and fatigue, people who have fibromyalgia may experience:
- sleep disturbances
- morning stiffness
- headaches
- irritable bowel syndrome
- painful menstrual periods
- numbness or tingling of the extremities
- restless legs syndrome
- temperature sensitivity
- cognitive and memory problems (sometimes referred to as “fibro fog”)
- a variety of other symptoms*
* Other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
- chronic muscle pain
- muscle spasms
- muscle tightness
- weakness in limbs
- leg cramps
- fatigue
- decreased energy
- insomnia
- feeling tired on waking
- stiffness upon waking
- stiffness after staying in one position
- jaw and facial tenderness
- sensitivity to odours, noise, bright lights or foods
- feeling anxious or
- feeling depressed
- increase in urinary urgency or frequency (irritable bladder)
- reduced tolerance for exercise
- muscle pain after exercise
- feeling of swelling in hands and feet
- painful menstrual periods
- dizziness
Fibromyalgia symptoms may change through out the day while - for many 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tends to be when they feel the best.
Symptoms may get worse with increased fatigue, tension, inactivity, changes in the weather, overexertion, hormonal fluctuations, stress or depression.
This site contains reliable information from National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and true stories from people who have fibromyalgia.
Visit the Fibro Bloggers Directory for a list of blogs by people who have fibromyalgia.
