Many people haven’t even heard of Fibromyalgia. Some that have heard of it don’t believe that it truly exists. I’m biased on that one! I have suffered with Fibromyalgia for 26 years.
Just because you can’t see my pain, doesn’t mean that it’s not real.
Yes, I am limited to what I can do most of the time. It’s not because I’m lazy. I would rather be out there running with my children, swimming a few laps in the pool, or writing a long letter to my loved ones without my hands cramping up and my muscles going into a spasm on me.
If you’re not sure what fibromyalgia is, here’s some information for you.
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain in your muscles, ligaments and tendons, as well as fatigue and multiple tender points — places on your body where slight pressure causes pain. It is classified as a syndrome not a disease because it has many overlapping symptoms. These symptoms can affect all systems in the body.
Fibromyalgia affects about 2% of the population in the United States alone. It usually affects more women than men. The name fibromyalgia comes from three root words, “fibro” meaning fibrous tissue (such as tendons and ligaments), “myo” meaning muscles, and “algia” meaning pain.
The following is a list of fibromyalgia symptoms for informational purposes only. This is not intended as a diagnosis for fibromyalgia. If you feel that you may have fibromyalgia, please consult with your doctor.
Not all of these symptoms will apply to everyone at the same time. Sometimes, fibromyalgia pain will rotate to different areas of the body at different times.
SYMPTOMS:
Widespread Pain
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndromes
Morning Stiffness
Fatigue
“Fibro fog”: Cognitive or Memory Impairment
Dizziness/Vertigo
Sleep Disorders
Urinary and Pelvic Problems
Chronic Headaches
Cold Symptoms
Temperomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome(TMJ)
Chest Symptoms
Anxiety
Depression
Dysmenorrhea(excruciating pain during menstrual cycle)
Myofascial pain
Muscle twitches
IBS(irritable bowel syndrome)
Factors that aggravate fibromyalgia:
Overexertion. Many fibromyalgia sufferers report an increase in their pain and fatigue after exercise or other forms of physical activity. Overexertion tends to increase the severity of muscle pain and fatigue.
Stress. Stress plays a big role in aggravating fibromyalgia symptoms. If a fibromyalgia sufferer experiences emotional stress or anxiety, it can bring on muscle pain, headaches, or even cause anxiety attacks. Other stressors, such as loud noises or bright lights, can trigger these fibromyalgia symptoms.
Weather. Rain or snow, or having to dealing with rapid changes in weather can trigger painful symptoms and worsen headaches, muscle aches, and depression for fibromyalgia sufferers.
For more information, visit MayoClinic.com
