Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of medical problem, but I can make some descriptive generalizations about it regarding symptoms, causes, and pain.

Sizing up the symptoms

Many people with fibromyalgia report that the following statements are true about their fibromyalgia symptoms. In fact, most people with fibromyalgia say that they have at least several, if not all, of these symptoms:

·         Flu-like pain that can be severe

·         A constant feeling of extreme fatigue

·         Several tender body areas that hurt

·         Overall body aches

·         Depression and/or anger

·         Feeling very anxious

·         Muscle stiffness and pain

·         Chronic back pain

·         Insomnia

·         Worsening of pain after physical activity

·         Mental malaise and confusion, often referred to as fibro fog

Many people with FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome) have other pain-based medical problems as well. Some examples of the array of medical conditions that people with fibromyalgia may experience, on top of the fibromyalgia that they already have (as if FMS isn’t enough), include:

·         Restless legs

·         Irritable bowel syndrome

·         Interstitial cystitis (a chronic, painful bladder condition that may feel like a constant bladder infection)

·         Tension headaches or migraine headaches

·         Benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS; an often painful form of hereditary joint hyperextension)

·         Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

·         Chronic fatigue syndrome

more info about FMS...