Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary from person to person, but if you think you may have fibromyalgia, or if you've recently been diagnosed, it's important to familiarize yourself with this condition so you can find ways to help yourself and your doctors deal with this challenging condition.
The word fibromyalgia is defined from "fibro" (meaning fibrous tissues such as tendons and ligaments), "myo" (meaning muscles) and "algia" (meaning pain).
Although the symptoms of fibromyalgia do differ from person to person, for a "formal" diagnosis, you should have had widespread pain in all four quadrants of your body (below the waist: left and right sides, and above the waist: left and right sides) for a minimum of three months, and 11 out of 18 specific tender points on your body (the picture above shows where those tender points are located).
However, you may still be diagnosed with fibromyalgia if you have less than 11 tender points, as long as you have most of the commonly associated symptoms of fibromyalgia shown in this checklist:
- widespread pain
- fatigue
- "fibro fog" or brain fog
- poor memory and concentration
- chronic headaches
- stiffness
- sleep disturbances
You may also experience:
- skin sensitivity
- environmental sensitivities (chemicals, temperature, odors, etc)
- TMJ - temporomandibular joint disorder
- muscle spasms
- numbness and tingling
- urinary frequency
- IBS - irritable bowel syndrome
- restless leg syndrome
- depression and/or anxiety
...and a host of other symptoms.
While I strongly believe that we are each ultimately responsible for our own health, do not self-diagnose if you suspect you have the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Do see your doctor, and if he or she is not knowledgeable enough to diagnose or treat you effectively, ask to be referred to a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, internal medicine doctor or fibromyalgia center/clinic.
Since other conditions or disorders such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis can have similar symptoms, and may overlap fibromyalgia, your doctor or specialist should be able to order tests to confirm or rule out other conditions.
Contents at a Glance
- My Story - The Short-But-Sweet Version ;-)
- One of my favorite articles on treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia naturally
- Barb's "Must-Read" Fibromyalgia Book Review
My Story - The Short-But-Sweet Version ;-)
Although I'd been to see my doctor often to try and get some answers, it was my own persistence and research on the symptoms of fibromyalgia that finally led to my diagnosis of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic myofascial pain syndrome. Yup...I got the triple whammy!
I have to say that when I was first diagnosed, I was surprised at how little my family doctor knew about fibromyalgia. She basically told me that there is no cure and there was not much she could do for me. When I talked to others who also had fibromyalgia, many told me that their family doctors had given them similar feedback.
Don't take this to heart, though: although there is no known "cure" according to the mainstream medical profession, there are things you can do to help yourself and there are doctors out there who are knowledgeable in the treatment and the symptoms of fibromyalgia, so don't ever give up hope!
Don't rely solely on your doctors or on prescription drugs to cope. Look into alternative and natural treatments for fibromyalgia as well; they are what helped me the most.
One of my favorite articles on treating the symptoms of fibromyalgia naturally
- Natural Fibromyalgia Treatment Gets Better, Faster Results
- A MUST-READ article by a Naturopath Mark A. Stengler on just how effective natural treatments for fibromyalgia can be!
Barb's "Must-Read" Fibromyalgia Book Review
Imagine what it would be like if you could reduce your pain by 90%.
That's exactly what I did when I learned about the difference between fibromyalgia tender points and myofascial trigger points and the different types of pain they produce. I eliminated most of my pain just by avoiding or adjusting certain activities and positions that aggravated my trigger points!
Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome are actually separate conditions, although they often overlap, and most people (and doctors) don't know this.
This book is an absolute must-have for fibromyalgia and myofascial pain sufferers. I can't tell you how important it has been to me in seeking the right treatments and in helping manage my symptoms.
Get this book now and take control of your pain and your life!
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Related Links
- MediClim | Weather Health Warning System
- Feeling under the weather? Do you or someone you know suffer from MIGRAINE, HEART DISEASE, ASTHMA, ARTHRITIS or DIABETES? MediClim® can help.
This is an interesting free service that sends you email alerts the day before your health problem may be aggravated due to changes in the weather. You will also gain access to our forums where you can meet people with health problems similar to your own.
They don't have alerts for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome yet, but I believe they're working on it. - USA - Weather.com's "Aches & Pains" Forecast
- I don't know about you, but I notice that my fibromyalgia symptoms, especially achiness and fatigue, get worse just before the weather changes. Check out this cool link to get a bit of a warning before the aches come on...
- Canada - Weathernetwork.com's "Aches & Pains" Forecast
- For my Canadian readers, this link's for you!
Barb Recommends: o24 Fibromyalgia - All Natural Topical Pain Relief
Fibromyalgia Book Review
From Fatigued to Fantastic
Dr. Teitelbaum had chronic fatigue syndrome and recovered from it. I think he's brilliant; he recommends treating all the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome at the same time, rather than one at a time, to get the best results.
You will learn tons about fibro and CFS and just how many possible treatment options there are available. This book gave me a lot of hope.
Update: September 2009
I have been receiving care from a doctor who follows Dr Teitelbaum's protocol, and it is a very thorough approach which I highly recommend.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia - Guestbook
Here's a place to post your comments and/or questions about Fibromyalgia
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- julie julie Nov 11, 2009 @ 11:51 am
- i was diagnosed over a year ago and put on quite a few drugs before i found some that worked for me, i am now learning meditation to help control the pain, its a bit like the shoulin munks do so they can break bricks with there heads and not feal any pain, its just the start but fingers crossed it will work. i'll keep you informed. i also have had a lot of weight loss, so i too sit on bones and not flesh, i now have a medical sheep skin which is great, it goes every where with me if i need to sit for a little while.
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- Dr. Harris Meyer Dr. Harris Meyer Nov 11, 2009 @ 2:06 am
- I sympathize with all of you who suffer with this syndrome. Because it's a collection of symptoms, there is not one easy solution and most practitioners will attempt to treat the worst symptoms as best they can. Under those circumstances, finding the natural alternatives to the synthetic medications usually prescribed can spare you side effects as well as the toxicity which is a real problem that worsens with time. I find a good degree of success combining chiropractic care with appropriate supplements and dietary modification. Exercise wherever possible is of great benefit. Advocate for yourself and do the research to find the best non-synthetic food supplements for your symptoms. It can run up a costly tab but the alternative is usually considered to be worse. Best wishes, Harris Meyer, DC. Chiropractor in San Francisco. www.BodyFocusHealth.com
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- Tam Tam Nov 10, 2009 @ 11:06 am
- Everyone is different but in my case this is what works for me:
Twice daily cod liver oil caps
Twice daily magnesium/calcium/zinc combination pill
Walking a bit each day, stretching out my legs and going up and down stairs at work (mostly my legs and lower back ache)
I know alot of people say B-12 but for me, this makes my fibro symptoms worse! It gives me a bit more energy but not worth the pain in my legs! For the few times I can't sleep well, I take melatonin. Works great. Avoid caffeine also. Ibuprophen for when I do have aches and pains.
If I take my minerals every day, I have very little pain, can sleep well and feel good most of the time.
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- Dominica Dominica Oct 30, 2009 @ 8:41 am
- Hi, as a registered nurse I spent 7 months in a confused and distressed state untill I had a name for my problem - Fibromyalgia. What scared me more than the diagnosis was knowing how from first hand how the medical fraternity view people with this disease. Luckily I have a great GP who referred me to a specialist. In all my 15 years nursing it was the first time a Doctor supported alternative treatments at the same time. I am only in the beginning of my journey in learning about this painful bugger. My hope is that I can find the right combination of treatments to help, but from what I have read Fibromyalgia changes constantly. But being a nurse if someone gave me a list and said I had to pick a disease I would pick this one above all the many horrific diseases out there and I was convinced I had one of the terminal ones. As the late (died from pancreatic cancer) Professor Randy Pausch said "you cannot change the cards dealt, only how you play them"
Cheers from Australia
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- pat pat Oct 17, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
- hi had fibro for about 24 yrs only releif i get is on a low dose antibiotics been on them for about 4 but feeling bit run down can't stay on them for ever sick off the pain nausea irratable bowel as well sleep apnea get tired when off the tablets and ches pain scares me but had test done nothing showed up i am 68 hope there will be a cure one day.
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- Patsy Patsy Sep 23, 2009 @ 5:33 pm | in reply to Ivys P
- Hi again everyone, I 've been reading all the comments and feel the need to give out a suggestion. I know that when my B12 is down I starting getting very depressed and paranoid, but as soon as I take my shot (once a month) I am a hundred percent better, mentally anyway. It also releives alot of the surface burning I get in my upper quads and arms. I have never been diagnosed with annemia, the reason most people take B12 but my B12 was one of the symptoms that I had during my diagnosis. B12 is an over the counter vitamin that anyone can take once a day. Its my mental health prescription and for me its a must. I have a very supportive boyfriend who can vouch for the instant change in my mood. I hope this little bit of advice will help those who may not have the insurance to cover other meds, you should notice a difference in your mood right away.
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- Patsy Patsy Sep 23, 2009 @ 4:51 pm | in reply to Jeanette
- I was diagnosed with FMS after almost two years of testing for everything from Lupus to MS. I woke up one morning and couldn't walk, I literally felt like I had sand in both my hips...it was excrutating. After the two years of test after test they concluded I had FMS and Bi-lateral bursitis. I really didn't believe that is what I had and until this year I still believed that I just had arthritis. My symptoms come and go constantly, I took tons of different meds but my stomach couldn't handle them. The only thing that seems to tame my symtoms is a B12 shot, constant stretching and determination to not let it bother me. But, to answer your questions with regards to your coccyx, I get this pain as well. I work at a desk all day and find alot of small walks seem to alleviate some of the pain. I just found this site and I would like to thank everyone who has made a comment, it makes me feel like I am not the only one. Cheers.
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- chickadee48 chickadee48 Sep 17, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
- Angel I feel your pain. Your lens sounded like my life. I have been taking alot of natural supplements that help some. Without them I can't function .Have you tried any of the things mentioned in the above Natural Fibromyalgia Treatment Gets Better Faster Results. Try them they work.
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- Angel Angel Sep 12, 2009 @ 10:45 pm
- I am a single mother. I was working and in school to support my daughter I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and psoratic arthritis. I am in pain every single day. Pain in my fingers, knuckles, intense wrist pain( witch the doctors said I had carpel tunnel syndrome in both wrists (already had surgery on my right hand)but it still hurts, I have pain in my elbows, shoulders, the back of my head and neck hurts, intense back pain, hip pain sciatica in my right leg because of sacroilliac hip dysfunction in both hips that I have to get facet blocks in both hips to help with pain ( which only work for about a couple of weeks), I have pain down my thighs ( my skin hurts to be touch sometimes), my knees , ankles, heel , and every joint in my feet. I have been trying to get the right treatment, but I have Peach state health care(medicaid) every medicine my doctors try to give me, peach state refuses to pay for them and I can't afford to pay for the meds I have to take care of my daught
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- debbie debbie Sep 11, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
- i found out i have fibromyligia right before i got married last yr its been hard and sometimes my husband doesnt understand i work for a chiropractor who helped figure outwhat was wrong and been helping me with supplements to keep the pain undercontrol. it helps to get adjusted once and week and sometimes once a month. i had horrible side effects from lyrica and went through so many sleeping pills that my dr and i was playing guess and check the amytriptiline really works best u can really get some sleep with it. im 26 and learning daily what works and what doesnt best advice i can give do what you can and kno when to stop work with it not against it.
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Disclaimer for Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
The information contained herein is not meant to substitute the advice provided by a medical professional. In the event that you use this information for your own health, which is your right, the author of this article assumes no responsibility.
Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia - Visitor Count
by fibro_cfs_gal
Hi, I'm Barb Jamesen and I have Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome.
I have learned some great coping strat...
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