There are certain types of diseases that are well-known and most people recognize them as being a serious problem. Other diseases, however, tend to blend into the background and many people who suffer from them may feel as if they are lost in the shuffle. That is often the case with individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia. Although it is a condition that affects up to 3 million people in the United States or about one in every five individuals, it has gone relatively unnoticed.
Individuals who suffer from fibromyalgia are often given the wrong diagnosis and sometimes, they may be provided with medication that really does not do much good. For example, one of the types of medication that is often prescribed for fibromyalgia is depression medicine. This type of pharmaceutical drug does not do much to help with symptoms of this condition and in many cases, the side effects of taking the drugs are often worse than the symptoms the individuals are experiencing.
When a person suffers from fibromyalgia, they typically suffer from a problem with chronic muscle pain. Of course, the opposite is not necessarily true so somebody who suffers from chronic muscle pain is not necessarily suffering from fibromyalgia. If you do have a problem with muscles aching on an ongoing basis, however, it is important to recognize the other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia so that the proper diagnosis can be given.
A doctor can discuss the possibility that you are dealing with fibromyalgia symptoms. They may also be able to help you deal with the situation by providing some information about what you are going through and the fact that you’re not alone in doing so. When you look at the following 43 different fibromyalgia symptoms, it helps you to come the more of a realization as to what this disease can cause.
Fibromyalgia symptoms:
Muscle and Body Tissues
Mild to severe pain in different body parts
Morning stiffness
Muscle Twitching
Swelling
Tender and lumpy breasts (Fibrocystic breasts, as an overlapping condition)
Stomach and Digestion Issues
Bloating, nausea, abdominal cramps, and pelvic pain
IBS
Frequent urination
Allergy and Sinus Issues
Shortness of breath
Itchy ears and earaches
Ringing ears
Thick mucus
Allergies, sensitivity to molds and yeasts
A runny nose and post nasal drip
Heart Problems
Valve issues
Pain similar to the one during a heart attack
Irregular heartbeat
Sensory Problems and Sensitivity
Difficulty with night driving and seeing in low lighting
Sensitive to smells, light, noise, temperature, climate, and pressure changes.
Sleep issues
Fatigue
Feeling like falling while sleeping
Muscle twitching even while sleeping
Difficulty sleeping/broken sleeping pattern, feeling tired and lethargic each morning
Grinding teeth
Cognitive Difficulties
Language impairments and difficulty pronouncing familiar words
Directional difficulties and recognizing familiar surroundings
Poor coordination and balance
Zone out often, concentration issues, inability to differentiate color shades, and short-term memory.
Burning or tingling in the upper limbs
Hair, Skin, and Nails
Hair loss
Overly-ridged nails or curved nails
Skin that bruises or scars easily or appears mottled
Mental Health issues
Mood swings, irritability without a reason
Anxiety, depression, panic attacks
Reproductive Problems
Loss of libido
PMS and other menstrual problems
Impotence
Other Symptoms
Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Headaches and migraines
Vision changes
Family history
The sweats
Carbohydrate and chocolate cravings
Something to keep in mind about these symptoms is the fact that they are nonspecific. They could very well be associated with other health issues so don’t simply assume that you have fibromyalgia.
In addition, there aren’t any types of fibromyalgia tests that provide accuracy 100% of the time. In most cases, it needs to meet the following criteria. This criteria was established by The American College of Rheumatology:
Widespread pain felt for at least 3 months in all four body quadrants
11 out of 18 tender points, with pain felt when palpated
Negative findings for any other diseases on the diagnostic tests
To rule out other conditions and diagnose fibromyalgia, doctors use a set of diagnostic tests, like:
Complete blood count
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
Rheumatoid factor
Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
X-rays
MRI
Thyroid tests
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