The symptoms of fibromyalgia are as complex as they are diverse, but the most important symptom experienced by everyone living with fibromyalgia is widespread pain.
The official criterias for fibromyalgia are:
1. Chronic widespread pain experienced:
- For at least three months
- Above and below the waist
- On both sides of the body
“It hurts all over”
People with fibromyalgia describe their pain as deep, persistent soreness and flu-like aches. They may have tender points, mainly around the neck, shoulders, hips and knees. Their pain tends to be difficult to pinpoint because it is not restricted to one part of the body, and may come and go in varying intensities.
2. Multiple tender points on the body
Tenderness is felt in at least 11 of 18 tender points when a doctor presses on these points in people with fibromyalgia. "Tender points" are painful lumps that develop in tight bands of muscle, and form when the muscle contracts and doesn’t fully release.".
No two cases are the same.
For some people, their symptoms are at their worst when they wake up. They may improve as the day progresses, only to return at bedtime. Others may experience the same level of pain throughout the day. While some cases may be mild, the pain of other fibromyalgia patients can be severe enough to make them change jobs, avoid activities they love – or even withdraw socially into isolation.
Why does fibromyalgia “amplify” pain?
People with fibromyalgia tend to have a lower pain threshold and can be extremely sensitive to touch – even a hug can hurt. They will often feel pain more intensely and for a much longer period of time than people who do not have fibromyalgia.
Why is this? When you have fibromyalgia, the nerve fibres become more sensitive and more active than normal, causing you to feel more pain than someone without. Think of it as a volume control – and your body can’t turn down the dial, so you feel pain more intensely.
This extreme sensitivity does not have to rule your life. There are strategies for pain management and medications officially recognized by Health Canada to help you pull yourself out of the cycle of pain.
Stiffness
Stiffness is a common symptom experienced along with the pain of fibromyalgia. Many people say that they feel especially stiff when they wake up.
Factors that can contribute to stiffness include cold, humidity, lack of physical activity, too much physical activity, poor sleep and stress. For strategies to manage these factors, go to Living with Fibromyalgia section.
Sleep difficulties
Another major symptom of fibromyalgia that compounds the severity of pain is sleep difficulties.
People with fibromyalgia complain of:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Tossing and turning
- Not being able to get deep sleep during the night
- Waking up frequently
As a result, they can feel extremely exhausted. Plus, during normal sleep, the body produces a hormone that actually helps repair muscles. Poor sleep can cause a decrease in this hormone which may result in muscles having increased pain levels.
For more on sleep and pain management, see Living with Fibromyalgia.
General fatigue
Approximately 87% of fibromyalgia patients say they are always tired, often describing an overall feeling of exhaustion, lack of energy and weakness. General fatigue – not necessarily due to lack of normal sleep – can even be the predominant symptom of some patients.
Fibro fog
People living with fibromyalgia also say they sometimes can’t remember basic information like their address and telephone number, and have a hard time concentrating and thinking clearly. This symptom is aptly called fibro fog. This can be rather frustrating at times, especially for patients who require mental alertness for their work or everyday activities. For tips on managing fibro fog, see Living with Fibromyalgia.
There are a number of other symptoms most people with fibromyalgia experience in varying degrees, including:
Common overlapping conditions
Fibromyalgia symptoms can almost be described as a moving target. There are so many that occur in such varying degrees from one person to the next, that they can often be mistaken for other conditions. Some of the conditions that have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia include:
-
Osteoarthritis:
The most common form of arthritis that breaks down the cartilage in the joints, causing the bones to rub together. -
Rheumatoid arthritis:
A type of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in the joints, most commonly in the wrists and fingers. -
Lupus:
The immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. Common symptoms include joint pain or swelling, muscle pain, unexplained fever, and red rashes, often on the face. -
Lyme disease:
A bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick, that causes a skin rash, swollen joints and flu-like symptoms. -
CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome):
Unexplained fatigue lasting for more than six months, and associated with muscle pain, memory problems, headaches, pain in multiple joints, sleep problems, sore throat and tender lymph nodes. -
IBS (irritable bowel syndrome):
A problem that affects the large intestine and can cause abdominal cramping, bloating and a change in bowel habits. Some people have constipation and others have diarrhea.”
To further complicate matters, some patients may indeed have fibromyalgia, as well as another condition, including:
-
IC (interstitial cystitis):
A condition that causes discomfort or pain in the bladder and abdomen. -
TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome):
A problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jaw to the side of the head. This syndrome can cause pain that travels through the face, jaw or neck, stiff jaw muscles, limited movement or locking of the jaw, painful clicking or popping in the jaw, or a change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together.
Living with chronic pain
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition, which means that it lasts longer than a few months. Some patients will experience symptoms for the rest of their lives. That is why it is important to find strategies to manage the pain – to live the best life possible, despite fibromyalgia.
