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February 18, 2011
Lisa M. McMahon
One medical doctor, a fibro sufferer himself, said that after his patients share all their
different symptoms with him, they inevitably ask him, "Am I nuts?" Fibromyalgia is a whole body,
multi-system problem that causes numerous symptoms from head to toe. Many patients have all the
symptoms -- some "only" have pain.
Pain
The primary symptom for all fibromyalgia sufferers is pain. Since 1990, the American College of
Rheumatology guidelines for diagnosing fibromyalgia were that the patient had to have widespread
pain, in other words, found in all four compass directions of the body (above and below the waist
and left and right sides) for at least three months and pain in 11 of 18 specific tender points.
Many doctors were unhappy with the tender point test as many of their patients experienced pain in
fewer than 11 places yet exhibited many other classic symptoms.
Recently the tender point test was replaced with a widespread pain index and a symptom severity
scale. The widespread pain index checks 19 specific areas. The pain must have been felt sometime in
the previous week. The symptom severity score looks at the three most common symptoms (fatigue,
sleep issues and cognitive problems) and rates them on a scale of zero to three with three being
the most pervasive. Patients can "earn" an additional three points if they have additional symptoms
such as numbness, dizziness, nausea, depression or irritable bowel syndrome. The final score is
between 0 and 12.
Fatigue
The second most common symptom for fibromyalgia sufferers is fatigue. Fatigue is usually a
combination of physical and mental factors. Because the muscles of a fibromyalgic have experienced
pain, they have low energy and tire easily. Fatigue can also be unpredictable and attack the
muscles suddenly. A fibromyalgic can also experience mental exhaustion, called neurasthenia. This
condition makes it hard to concentrate.
Fibro Fog (Cognitive Problems)
Although this can vary from day to day, many fibromyalgics have issues with forgetfulness,
confusion, short-term memory loss, absentmindedness or extreme mental fatigue. None of these
problems is due to a deterioration of your brain. You still are capable of learning and memory
although you process information more slowly. When you brain is constantly bombarded with pain
signals, it cannot process routine information.
Sleep Issues
The problem may be that you have a hard time falling asleep. It could be that you fall asleep only
to wake up repeatedly throughout the night. Maybe you have both problems. Most fibromyalgia
patients report having some type of sleep issue. They do not feel rested when the get up in the
morning. The body needs deep sleep every night in order to work at its optimum
levels.
Headaches
Whether you get tension headaches, migraines, sinus headaches or a combination, you experience more
than the average person does. Head pain is more disruptive than pain felt in other parts of your
body and can interfere with your daily activities, work ability and your interactions with
others.
Chest Pain
Usually there is not a problem with your heart but it feels like it and you may fear that you have
heart disease. Your doctor will test you to rule this out. You will find that the pain comes from
muscles in the chest wall and rib area. Doctors call this condition costochondritis and can mimic
heart pain. If you have fibromyalgia and are a large-busted woman or have fibrocystic breast
disease, you often will have more chest pain.
Mark J. Pellegrino, MD, conducted a test at Ohio State University that showed that the majority of
people with fibromyalgia also had mitral valve prolapse (MVP). MVP is a condition where one of the
heart valves bulges excessively during the heartbeat. Most doctors feel that MVP is a benign
condition although it sounds scary.
Neurological Symptoms
Numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, particularly in the hands or feet, or burning, itching
or swelling are other common symptoms of fibromyalgia. These abnormal sensations are known as
paresthesia. Other complaints include weakness, sensitivity to temperatures including hot flashes,
cold hands or feet, night sweats, Raynaud's phenomenon, dizziness, lightheadedness, vertigo,
sensitivity to loud noises, tinnitus, balance problems or a general lack of
coordination.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
About half of all fibromyalgia sufferers have IBS. Some have frequent bouts of constipation while
others have problems with diarrhea. Both are accompanied with abdominal pain, upset stomach and
bloating.
And More
Besides the symptoms listed so far, there are a host of others. Stiffness and joint pain are
usually present with fibromyalgia. Over one third of fibromyalgia patients have pain in the jaw and
temple areas (TMJ). Many have problems swallowing. Up to one third of fibromyalgics, have dry eyes
and other related vision problems necessitating frequent prescription changes. Many people have
problems with leg cramps or restless legs contributing to sleep issues. There are also many
patients who have increases allergies or chemical sensitivities. Fibromyalgia sufferers may also
have irritable bladder, pelvic pain, plantar fasciitis, skin problems, weight gain, muscle spasms,
depression, anxiety disorder and panic attacks. It's no wonder they think, "Am I
nuts?"
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