How to Spot the Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a mysterious condition that continues to puzzle doctors. In fact, researchers don't necessarily know what causes this condition. Fibro, as it is commonly known, is a disorder that leads to aches and pains that tend to affect the whole body. Here are some symptoms to watch out for.

Chronic Muscle Pain

People with fibromyalgia often feel tightness and pain in their muscles. They may also experience intense spasms. Muscle pain and spasms are very pronounced after exercise. For the pain to be considered chronic, it must be ongoing for at least three months.

The pain does not stop with muscles either. Sometimes people with the condition will feel very stiff when they stand after long periods of time.

Fatigue

For those with fibromyalgia, fatigue may range from moderate to severe. Unfortunately, this is often paired with insomnia and frequently waking up in the middle of the night. When patients are able to get sleep, they often sleep for long periods of time.

It is also frequently reported that those with fibro may also have sleeping disorders like restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea. This makes it even more difficult to get a full night's rest.

Confusion And Difficulty Focusing

It is often hard for people with fibromyalgia to remember details or even to focus on mental tasks. Some people express that this causes them to feel frustrated because they are unable to perform some of the tasks they once did without effort. This is often known as fibro fog.

Abdominal And Digestive Issues

Fibromyalgia is associated with digestive concerns including nausea, bloating and constipation. Patients also report diarrhea and frequent abdominal pain. The symptoms vary from person to person, and some people claim that their digestive issues come and go with the other symptoms.

Headaches

Migraine headaches are common among those suffering from fibromyalgia. This is often linked to sensitivity to noise, lights and smells. Migraines often include throbbing and pulsing pain, often on one side of the head or the other. The pain of a migraine headache can last for hours on end, and the pain can be debilitating.
Some fibromyalgia patients complain of tension headaches too. Tension headaches involve tightening or pressure in the front or back of the head. Most people have had tension headaches at some point, but patients with fibro report symptoms more often.

Anxiety And Depression

Those with fibromyalgia often report that they feel depressed. Often, part of the feelings of depression stems from the isolation that the condition may bring on. People may be in so much pain that they find it difficult to go out and do the things that they once loved to do.
Anxiety is also common among those who experience the pain of fibromyalgia. This makes sense, considering that patients often report feeling anxious that they are going to experience intense pain in the near future. When trying to plan a day out or a special event, the threat of fibro can lead to intense panic.

When To See The Doctor

Symptoms for patients with fibromyalgia fluctuate throughout the day. Some patients report that the evenings tend to have the worst symptoms, whereas others feel the pain worse in the morning. Sometimes symptoms disappear altogether for short periods of time.
Millions of Americans feel the effects of fibromyalgia each day, but only a few actually receive the help that they need for their symptoms. This is because so little is known about the painful condition. If you think that you have fibromyalgia, it is important to see your doctor right away. Central California Pain Management may be able to help you find relief from the chronic pain.