Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is not a well understood illness and since the cause is unknown there is no cure. However, by evaluating and treating the symptoms that the individual is experiencing they should be able to obtain some relief from the problems. People who suffer from fibromyalgia also find that although the primary symptoms are pain and muscle tenderness there are other areas of the body, digestive or mental processing for example, that are affected. This overlapping of symptoms can lead the physician or patient to refer to fibromyalgia as a syndrome rather than a disease or illness.

Some of the major symptoms of fibromyalgia are listed below. However, these are not given so that individuals can diagnose themselves at home. If you suspect that you have fibromyalgia it is important to consult with a physician to get an accurate diagnosis so that other issues and problems are not overlooked.

The majority of the sufferers of fibromyalgia are women. Therefore, if a woman finds that she is suffering from fibromyalgia symptoms she should consult a gynecologist who has experience coaching a woman through questions about menstrual periods, pregnancy and delivery.

Also be aware that not all symptoms will show up in all patients. Some people will experience some or most of the symptoms while others may only suffer from a couple. Although there is no knowledge of the cause of the symptoms some believe that the syndrome appears after an illness or traumatic event. Fibromyalgia or FMS for fibromyalgia syndrome, affects approximately 2 to 4% of the general population, the majority of which are women.

FMS is characterized by tender spots, particularly in the neck, shoulders, hips and spine areas. Although it mainly affects muscles and the areas of attachment to the bone there are other areas that also feel the effects of the syndrome. It may feel a bit like arthritis but it causes no deformity and there is usually no swelling.

Symptoms include:
Chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms, and leg cramps
Insomnia or waking up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed
Mood changes
Irritable bowel syndrome
Headaches
Widespread pain
Nausea
Dizziness
Muscle twitches
Weight gain
Moderate or severe fatigue and decreased energy
Stiffness in the muscles after waking or staying in one position
Difficulty remembering or concentrating
Jaw and facial tenderness
Feeling anxious or depressed
Decreased ability to exercise
Painful menstrual periods
Irritable bladder

The symptoms of FMS can get worse during different times of the day. They tend to be worst for the majority of the sufferers early morning and later in the afternoon. The symptoms may also intensify right before or during the menstrual period due to hormonal fluctuations.

FMS is a chronic syndrome for which there is no cure but with treatment the symptoms can subside to a manageable level. This is why early diagnosis and treatment is so important to the overall function for the sufferer.