Over 5 million people affects by fibromyalgia in the U.S also the numbers are keep on increasing. There are numerous uncomfortable signs of Fibromyalgia. It is recognized as an unseen illness as people cannot see the way where people hurt from the disease. Usually, Fibromyalgia is a quite severe situation that the victims experience and its signs should be identified. So Fibromyalgia Resources(FR) have compiled a report on fibromyalgia and discuses different things related to fibromyalgia that everyone should be aware of.
What is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia’s name comes from “fibro” (the Latin term for fibrous tissue), “myo” (the Greek word for muscle) and “algia” (the Greek word for pain). According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, an estimated 3% to 6% of the world’s population suffers from the condition: about 450 million people, including at least 10 million in the United States.
Fibromyalgia is a bewildering and largely misunderstood disorder characterized by widespread pain and tenderness accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory issues, and gastrointestinal concerns. Because the array of possible symptoms is so extensive (and there remains no clear consensus on how to diagnose the disorder), many feel lost as to what is affecting them and what to do about it.
The most important thing to remember is that fibromyalgia may be poorly understood, but it is very real. By becoming more aware of the signs and symptoms of the disorder, you can help your doctor help you identify fibromyalgia and access treatment that may greatly improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia symptoms are categorized into 15 categories.
- 1. General
- 2. Pain
- 3. Neurological
- 4. Equilibrium/Perception
- 5. Sleep
- 6. Eyes/Vision
- 7. Cognitive
- 8. Emotional
- 9. Gastrointestinal
- 10. Urogenital
- 11. Skin
- 12. Sensitivities
- 13. Cardiovascular (Heart)
- 14. Hair/Nails
- 15. Others
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General Symptoms
- 1. Activity level decreased to less than 50% of pre-illness activity level
- 2. Cold hands and feet (extremities)
- 3. Cough
- 4. Craving carbohydrates
- 5. Delayed reaction to physical activity or stressful events
- 6. Dryness of eyes and/or mouth
- 7. Edema
- 8. Family member(s) with Fibromyalgia
- 9. Fatigue, made worse by physical exertion or stress
- 10. Feeling cold often
- 11. Feeling hot often
- 12. Frequent sighing
- 13. Heart palpitations
- 14. Hoarseness
- 15. Hypoglycemia (blood sugar falls or low)
- 16. Increased thirst
- 17. Low blood pressure (below 110/70)
- 18. Low body temperature (below 97.6)
- 19. Low-grade fevers
- 20. Night sweats
- 21. Noisy joints – with or without pain
- 22. Poor circulation in hands/feet
- 23. Profuse sweating
- 24. Recurrent flu-like illness
- 25. Shortness of breath with little or no exertion
- 26. Severe nasal allergies (new or worsening allergies)
- 27. Sore throat
- 28. Subjective swelling of extremities – (feels swollen Bu can’t find anything)
- 29. Sweats
- 30. Symptoms worsened by air travel
- 31. Symptoms worsened by stress
- 32. Symptoms worsened by temperature changes
- 33. Tender or swollen lymph nodes, especially in neck and underarms
- 34. Tremor or trembling
- 35. Unexplained weight gain or loss
PAIN
- 36. Abdominal wall pain
- 37. Bad hip pain
- 38. Burning Nerve Pain
- 39. Chest pain
- 40. Collarbone pain
- 41. Diffuse swelling
- 42. Elbow pain
- 43. Exacerbated Plantar arch or heel pain
- 44. “Growing” pains that don’t go away once you are done growing
- 45. Headache – tension or migraine
- 46. Inflamed Rib Cartilage
- 47. Joint pain
- 48. Lumpy, tender breasts
- 49. Morning stiffness
- 50. Muscle pain
- 51. Muscle spasms
- 52. Muscle twitching
- 53. Muscle weakness
- 54. Pain that ranges from moderate to severe
- 55. Pain that moves around the body
- 56. Paralysis or severe weakness of an arm or leg
- 57. Restless Leg Syndrome
- 58. Rib Pain
- 59. Scalp Pain (like hair being pulled out)
- 60. Sciatica-like pain
- 61. Tender points or trigger points
- 62. TMJ syndrome
- 63. “Voodoo Doll” Poking Sensation in random places
Click Here to read the complete list of fibromyalgia symptoms
What does fibromyalgia feel like?
Fibromyalgia is a Constant pain that never goes that makes you feel like crying. Living with fibromyalgia is be like a Never ever being out of pain in some part of your body or your entire body is bruised. Almost like you’ve been sleeping on a hard floor and someone was kicking you all over. I feel Like I’m sick with a different ailment every day.
Fibromyalgia is a great incentive to live for each day. If you wake up and can move, make the most of it. If you wake up and can’t move, then don’t. Get some rest, read a book, watch a movie. It might not be what you want, but it’s what you have to do for that day. Tomorrow is a new day and may well be different to yesterday. Be thankful that you have tomorrow because many people don’t. I know it’s difficult to feel that way when you’re in constant agony but there is always something good to in each day.
No words to describe how awful it is it’s a living hell, It makes feel like I don’t have a life no more.
We have asked a question to our community “Living with Fibromyalgia and chronic illness“ that what does fibromyalgia feels like?. More than 500 hundred people have taken part in the discussion and share their thoughts with us. Here we The Fibromyalgia Resources have compiled few of their comments which every fibromyalgia patient can relate and agrees with. Click Here to Read what fibro feels like.
How to test yourself for fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia symptoms include widespread body pain, fatigue, poor sleep and mood problems. But all of these symptoms are common to many other conditions. And because fibromyalgia symptoms can occur alone or along with other conditions, it can take time to tease out which symptom is caused by what problem.
To make things even more confusing, fibromyalgia symptoms can come and go over time. That’s why it can take a long time to go from fibromyalgia symptoms to a fibromyalgia diagnosis. Only a doctor can accurately diagnose fibromyalgia, but there are certain steps you can take to evaluate your own probability of having fibromyalgia. Click Here to read more in details.
Causes of Fibromyalgia
There are several causes of fibromyalgia that have been pinpointed by the numerous studies that have been performed. These causes range from having a major infection at some point in their lives, to injuries that have occurred. However, more recently, studies are showcasing that emotional trauma could lead to developing fibromyalgia. Specifically speaking, PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder is being linked to those who are developing this illness.
Lots of research is been done on the causes of fibromyalgia, one of the them says that fibromyalgia is linked with emotional abuse and childhood trauma. Gaga, also believes cause of her fibromyalgia was sparked by being sexually assaulted when she was 19. Adding to this physical and emotional pressures of fame and touring worsen her medical conditin, said that her health is currently on an upswing. “It’s getting better every day, because now I have fantastic doctors who take care of me and are getting me show-ready,” she said.
There are lots of theories on the internet related to causes of fibromyalgia. All of the theories have some rationale behind and seems true to lots of audience. So here we have compiled the list of few of more acceptable theories of causes of fibromyalgia. We leave it up to you, you decide which one seems more true to you. In this article we highlighted the studies on blood vessels theory, Central Nervous system disorder theory, Spinal cord dysfunctioning theory and Trauma related research studies. Please give a read to all of them and let us know in the comment which one you think the most possible cause of your fibromyalgia
Few of the causes of fibromyalgia are listed below: (Click on them to read details on the topic)
- Central Nervous System Theory
- Chronic Osteomyelitis
- Infectious Mononucleosis
- Growing Pains
- Endocannabinoid Deficiency
- Abuse
- Occipital Neuralgia
- Childhood Trauma
- Spinal Cord Dysfunction
- Blood Vessels Theory
How do you treat fibromyalgia?
A Range of medications and alternative treatments are available to help relieve pain and other fibromyalgia symptoms, but so far fibromyalgia has no cure. You can try these option to ease up your pain. Few of them are like AVACEN, balneotheraphy ,Herbal Treatments are also available for fibromyalgia and there are very effective. Click Here to read 15 low cost and easy fibromyalgia treatments.
What You Should Know About a Person With Fibromyalgia
1. My pain
My pain is not your pain. It is not caused by inflammation. Taking your arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put. Today it is in my shoulder, but tomorrow it may be in my foot or gone. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real.
2. My fatigue
I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, but I can’t. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping in the mall yesterday, but I can’t help you with yard work today, it isn’t because I don’t want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability. Click Here to Read “10 Energy boost hacks for Fibro Fatigue”
3. My forgetfulness
Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age but may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don’t have any short-term memory at all.
4. My clumsiness
If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairwells one step at a time.
5. My sensitivities –
I just can’t stand it! “It” could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the “aggravating everything disorder.” So don’t make me open the drapes or listen to your child scream. I really can’t stand it.
6. My intolerance
I can’t stand heat, either. Or humidity. If I am a man, I sweat…profusely. If I am a lady, I perspire. Both are equally embarrassing, so please don’t feel compelled to point this shortcoming out to me. I know. And don’t be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it’s cold. I don’t tolerate cold, either. My internal thermostat is broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.
Related Article: 17 “Embarrassing Symptoms” of fibromyalgia we don’t talk about
7. My depression
Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Your snide remarks can tip me over the edge.
8. My stress
My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I’m not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely.
9. My weight
I may be fat or I may be skinny. Either way, it is not by choice. My body is not your body. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.
10. My good days
If you see me smiling and functioning normally, don’t assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days or weeks or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me going.
11. My uniqueness
Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, but I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else.
12. My Disability
My disability is invisible but it still exists. Its same like you don’t see the air but it is present same goes with fibromyalgia, its exist , its real . Its not all in our heads, if it was then why wouldn’t i put something in my head which is more recognize like cancer etc. Lets put this Fibromyalgia disability sticker on your cars and spread fibro awareness. You can get this sticker from Here or click on the photo
Fibromyalgia Disability Car bumper sticker: Lets put this sticker on your car and spread the fibromyalgia awareness. As many people out there don’t consider our illness as being disable, because they don’t know it. – Click Here to get Yours Fibromyalgia Disability Sticker for you Car
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Related Article:
A Letter To all the Non-Believers of Fibromyalgia
For support, venting, discussion, Question Answers Join our friendly community “Living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic illness”
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References:
- The connection between Fibromyalgia and PTSD by Dr. Muneeba via Fibromyalgiaresources.com
- Fibromyalgia (FM) Patients Should Be Evaluated for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Researchers Say via Fibromyalgia Resources
- Fibromyalgia is Linked to Childhood Stress and Unprocessed Negative Emotions by M H Shahid via Fibromyalgiaresources.com
- Abuse is the leading cause of fibromyalgia by Naomi Prex Arba, MD via Fibromyalgia Resources
- What does fibromyalgia feel like by M H Shahid via Fibromyalgiaresources.com
- What causes fibromyalgia and is there any cure? by Dr MG Rana,MD via Fibromyalgia Resources
- Fibromyalgia is linked with Central Nervous system disorder by MG Rana,MD via FibromyalgiaResources.com
- Fibromyalgia mystery finally solved. Research find main source of pain by M H Shahid via Fibromyalgia Resources
- Fibromyalgia pain linked to spinal cord dys-function via Fibromyalgia Resources
- History of early abuse as a predictor of treatment response in patients with fibromyalgia: a post-hoc analysis of a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of paroxetine controlled release. via NCBI, PubMed
- Sexual and physical abuse in women with fibromyalgia syndrome. via NCBI, PubMed.
- The prevalence of sexual abuse in women with fibromyalgia via Wiley Online Library. Ref