top of page

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary between sufferers.  The only symptom that is prevalent for everyone with fibromyalgia is pain all over the body.

​

This pain is usually experienced as a constant dull ache that commences in the muscle but can also manifest as a burning sensation of a sharp and stabbing pain anywhere in the body. 

​

The current common standard for diagnosing fibromyalgia is to look for widespread pain which lasts a minimum of 3 months, together with the presence of one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Fatigue and waking up exhausted

  • Disrupted or irregular sleep patterns

  • Muscle stiffness and spasms

  • Numbness in the hands or feet

  • Sensitivity to cold and heat

  • Headaches

  • Restless leg syndrome (RLS), which is an uncomfortable, jumpy feeling in the legs that often disturbs sleep

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

  • “Fibro fog” (or brain fog), a condition that impairs the ability to focus on mental tasks such as a difficulty with finding a word, short-term memory loss, and disorientation that lasts for 30 to 60 seconds

  • Depression and anxiety

Symptoms which are unique to women suffering from fibromyalgia include:

​

  • Endometriosis - a condition caused by tissue growing in other parts of the pelvis. They may also feel pain during sexual intercourse.

  • Less common symptoms are:

    • Allodynia - An intense sensitivity to touch. Simply rubbing an affected person’s shoulder or patting him or her on the back can cause intense pain.

    • Paraesthesia. An unexplained tingling and numbness that’s often related to anxiety or nervousness over the disorder. Paraesthesia is accompanied by rapid, deep breathing, and may lead to acroparaesthesia, a pain in the extremities caused by lack of carbon dioxide.

    • Lipomas - These lumps, which can appear in various parts of the body, are actually fatty benign tumours, and may cause you more discomfort.

    • Sensitivity to fragrance, light, and even sounds.

    • Excessive sweating and a feverish feeling.

bottom of page