Fibromyalgia Symptoms Explained

Fibromyalgia is a syndrome (fibromyalgiasufferers also have sleep apnea, upper airway
syndrome, or FMS), or a cluster of problems.resistance syndrome, bruxism (teeth grinding
People that have fibromyalgia suffer with pain,during sleep), limb movement and jerking and
either all over or in particular places, have sleepingrestless leg syndrome. All of these contribute to
problems, are overwhelmingly tired and may havethe fatigue of fibromyalgia.
many other symptoms. Five to ten per cent ofAgain, this is how fibromyalgia sufferers describe
the population has fibromyalgia. Most of them aretheir fatigue.
women, but men and children do experience the“The fatigue is worse than the pain.”
symptoms, too.“Some days going to the bathroom feels like
Pain is the most distinguishing characteristic ofa ten-mile hike.”
fibromyalgia. Medically, it’s described as“On bad days, all I can do is turn on the TV
generalized musculoskeletal aches, pain andfor the kiddies and veg with them.”
stiffness. For the pain to be diagnosed asPain and fatigue are the most disabling features of
fibromyalgia, it has to be present in all four bodyfibromyalgia, but there are other distressing
quadrants (arms and legs) for at least 3 months,symptoms, too. 40-70 per cent of fibromyalgia
and there has to be pain when pressure is appliedsufferers experience irritable bowel syndrome or
to at least 11 of the 18 identified trigger points.other gastrointestinal problems. Constipation and
That’s the medical description. Here is howdiarrhea, abdominal pain, excessive gassiness,
people with fibromyalgia describe it.nausea and gastroesophageal reflux are common.
“I can hardly move because of the painMany fibromyalgia sufferers are distressed by
I’m in. I’m fighting to stay mobile.”associated mental and emotional problems that
“There is no way to describe the pain. Youmanifest themselves alongside the physical
live with it on a daily basis.”ailments. Anxiety and depression are common.
“What people don’t realize is that I am inIt’s not known whether they are independent
pain all the time, every day.”factors, or if they are related to living in constant
“Sometimes you think, no big deal, it’spain and fatigue and the social stigma of
just pain. It’s not life threatening. Sometimesfibromyalgia. People also complain of confusion,
you wish it was. At least there’d be an end inexperiencing difficulty thinking clearly and a
sight.”reduction in ability to perform mental tasks. This
The pain waxes and wanes, varying in intensity.overall mental fogginess has been termed
People have good days and bad days. Some days“fibro fog.”
it’s not too bad; some days it’s prettyOther symptoms of fibromyalgia include
much disabling. The pain of fibromyalgia often getsheadaches, restless leg syndrome, skin sensitivity
worse on cold or humid days, when youand rashes, dry eyes and mouth, Reynaud’s
haven’t slept well, when you are too inactivesyndrome, and various neurological problems.
or too active, when you are stressed or whenFibromyalgia is an invisible disease. Sufferers look
your hormones change.fine on the surface. However, under their outward
The second most disabling characteristic ofappearance they are often exhausted and in
fibromyalgia is fatigue. Recent findings suggestexcruciating pain. Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness
that the fatigue is due to a stage four sleepthat is, at its worst, incredibly disabling. The
disorder called alpha EEG anomaly. During deepsymptoms have to be managed, and even then
stage four sleep, the brain has bursts ofthe pain and fatigue wax and wane. It’s a
awake-like activity, so there is not enoughdifficult disease to live with, but it’s not
undisturbed deep sleep for the body to gethopeless. Medical care and lifestyle management
sufficient rest.can make a big difference in how you feel if you
In addition to alpha EEG anomaly, many FMSare suffering from fibromyalgia.