Health

(I hurt all over and I am exhausted!)

By Teresa Kaldis

Pain
The pain associated with fibromyalgia has many descriptions but most relate to some form of muscle pain and is widespread. The pain is produced by light pressure over various points on the body including head, upper back, chest, elbow, hips, and knees. Persons with fibromyalgia may have muscle spasms and cramps, especially at night. The pain can be described in many different ways including sharp, stabbing, burning, aching, throbbing, electric-shock-like, or shooting.

Fatigue
It is common for persons with fibromyalgia to wake up feeling tired even if they have slept many hours. They do not seem to have restful sleep. The fatigue is described both as a physical and a mental tiredness or “brain fog.”  The fatigue is overwhelming and makes simple everyday tasks very difficult. It makes work and family life very difficult.

Sleep disturbances
1. Alpha EEG anomaly or alpha-delta sleep disorder:This is characterized by interruption of deep sleep that is associated with delta waves with bursts of alpha waves associated with wakefulness. Stages 3 and 4 of deep sleep are often significantly reduced.
2. Sleep apnea
3. Upper airway resistance syndrome
4. Bruxism: This is grinding of teeth.
5. Periodic limb movement of sleep
6. Restless leg syndrome

Depression and anxiety
These are very common in persons with fibromyalgia and should be treated.

Difficulty with concentration and memory
This is termed “fibrofog” and leads to difficulty with memory, concentration, and attention in performing daily task.

Dizziness
The dizziness can be vertigo, or spinning sensation, lightheadness, or unsteadiness. It can occur in brief spells or last for days.

Headaches
Headaches can be due to migraines or related to tension. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction can contribute to headaches.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
The temporomandibular joint is located between temporal (cheek) bone and mandible (jaw) bone. It can cause headache, jaw pain, and tenderness of facial muscles.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease
GERD is common in persons with fibromyalgia. This can include symptoms of heartburn, chest pain, indigestion, hoarseness, or cough.

Non-cardiac (not related to the heart) chest pain
This may be related to GERD or costochondritis which is pain that may be reproduced by palpation of the chest wall.

Irritable bowel syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by alternating problems of diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain.

Irritable bladder syndrome
This syndrome is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain.

Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome occurs in more than 50% of women with fibromyalgia.

Numbness and tingling
Usually in an extremity, needs to be distinguished from neuropathy.

Dry eyes and mouth
Associated with Sjogren’s or sicca syndrome.

Raynaud’s syndrome
Blue, red, and white color changes in the hands usually precipitated by exposure to cold.

Skin sensitivity and rashes
The skin problems in fibromyalgia are often dry, itchy skin. It can also be that your skin is overly sensitive to touch (allodynia).

Sensitivity to smell, sound, touch, and light
This is another common symptom complex in persons with fibromyalgia. It is not clear what causes these symptoms. Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCSS) is a condition where persons are very sensitive to the smell of chemicals and odors, but may also be sensitive to light, temperature, and sound.