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January 17, 2011
Lisa M. McMahon
ligaments. Tender points in eleven out of eighteen predetermined locations must be present for an
official medical diagnosis. You must also have experienced the pain for at least three months with
no other explanation for its cause. There are other fibro symptoms, however, that are common to
fibromyalgics.
1. Fatigue
According to the latest statistics, 100 percent of fibromyalgics have pain, 98 percent fatigue.
Although pain is experienced by all fibromyalgics, fatigue is the number one complaint of fibro
sufferers. “Deadening fatigue, exhaustion, lack of stamina, and apathy are just the grueling icing
on an already bitter cake,” according to Cl
audia Craig Marek, a medical assistant diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1991.
2. Pain
As already stated, pain is the most common fibro symptom. Nearly all fibromyalgics have daily pain.
Sometimes the pain is so intense as to be debilitating. The pain is widespread and in the muscles,
tendons and ligaments rather than the joints.
3. Headaches
Another common complaint of fibro sufferers is headaches. The headaches range from vice-like
tension headaches to migraines with nausea and visual disturbances.
4. Irritable Bowel
More than 70 percent of fibromyalgics have at least some of the common complaints of irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS). According to some, it can be the earliest symptom of your fibromyalgia.
Common symptoms are stomach pain, constipation (less than three bowel movements a week) or diarrhea
(more than three bowel movements per day).
5. Trouble Falling and/or Staying Asleep
Fibromyalgics cannot sleep well and awaken frequently throughout the night, especially when they
are experiencing pain. For some it is difficult to fall asleep, for others the problem is staying
asleep and for many it is a combination of both problems. Lack of restful sleep causes impaired
mental function and a lowered pain threshold.
6. Restless Legs
This fibro symptom is directly linked to trouble falling or staying asleep. This symptom seems to
bother women more than men and seems to run in the family. The symptoms can occur any time you are
sitting still, not just when you are trying to sleep. An uncontrollable urge to move the affected
area is part of the sensation. Although this occurs mostly in the legs, 30 percent of fibromyalgics
also report similar sensations in their arms.
7. Numbness and Tingling
This symptom, called parathesia, usually affects the extremities but can occur anywhere in the
body.
8. Depression
Feeling sad about what you have lost is normal. Seek treatment if your depression lasts beyond the
initial diagnosis.
9. Raynaud’s Phenomenon
The blood vessels of people who have Raynaud’s undergo vasospasms that reduce circulation to the
extremities causing them to turn white. When they recover, they turn red and tingle. Fibromyalgics
who have this condition should keep their extremities warm and protect them from the
cold.
10. Cognitive Deficits
Known as “fibro fog,” cognitive deficits such as impaired short-term memory and concentration
plague many fibromyalgics.
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