There are many questions about fibromyalgia that are asked constantly. Hopefully this will help you in your quest for relief.
What is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia?
Pain has been documented in more than 97% of all patients with fibromyalgia. This pain forces a person to see his or her doctor. The pain of fibromyalgia is felt throughout the entire body. It is felt in the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles and can be sharp, throbbing, or aching. This pain can come and go for some fibromyalgia sufferers.
Does anything accompany fibromyalgia pain?
The body aches and deep muscle soreness can be accompanied by painful tender points or specific areas of tenderness around the joints that throb when pressed by a finger. In these cases, it’s the tissue around the joints and not the joints themselves that the pain emanates from. These are generally superficial areas of pain, residing just under the skin surface.
The location of tender points in patients with fibromyalgia is predictable. Pressure applied to these specific spots on a person without fibromyalgia would just result in the feeling of pressure. A patient with fibromyalgia will feel extreme pain when certain tender points are pressed.
Is fatigue a major symptom of fibromyalgia?
After complaints of pain and tender points, fatigue is the next most common symptom. Fatigue refers to a lingering exhaustion that is much more evident and debilitating than normal. Patients have complained of feeling tired, despite getting a full night of sleep and being fully rested. This type of fatigue is often compared to symptoms like the flu.
What about having trouble sleeping?
Sleeping issues are another common symptom in fibromyalgia patients. They do not necessarily have difficulty falling asleep. The problem is that they never truly reach that deep sleep we all need to refresh ourselves each day. They fall into a light sleep that is easily disturbed. They awaken each morning feeling exhausted. This creates a constant state of fatigue. Tests in sleep labs have shown that fibromyalgia patients are constantly interrupted by bursts of brain activity while sleeping. This activity is similar to what occurs in their brain while they are awake.
Is morning stiffness an issue in many fibromyalgia patients?
More than 75% of all fibromyalgia patients feel stiffness when they wake up in the morning. This stiffness can be extensive. It will affect the joints and muscles of the arms, legs and back. Morning stiffness can last from only a few minutes to 15-20 minutes each day. In some extreme cases, the stiffness has lasted hours.
I have chronic headaches. Are they a symptom of fibromyalgia?
Chronic headaches are common in about 70% of fibromyalgia patients. These headaches can be debilitating and can be a major issue in the ability to deal with this illness. They often result from tightness and the contraction of the muscles in the neck, which causes a type of headache called tension headache or muscle-contraction headache. Tender points on the back of the head and neck can also be the cause of these headaches.
If you are looking for fibromyalgia relief and are in the Denver, CO area, or if you have any questions about this topic, contact Dr. Visentin D.C., your Denver fibromyalgia specialist at (303) 394-CARE (2273).
Written For Dr. Visentin, D.C.
