Fibromyalgia impacts around 3 to 5 million people. That means 1 in 5 adults grapple with chronic, widespread pain. But before you jump to the conclusion that persistent muscle aches are due to fibromyalgia, it’s crucial to know the full range of symptoms associated with this complex disorder.
Could You Have Fibromyalgia?
If you’re experiencing constant muscle pain, look into these common symptoms to see if fibromyalgia could be the cause.
- Pain & Muscle Issues
- ✅ Widespread pain (ranging from mild to severe)
- ✅ Morning stiffness
- ✅ Muscle twitching
- ✅ Swelling
- ✅ Fibrocystic breasts (tender, lumpy breast tissue)
- Digestive & Stomach Problems
- ✅ Bloating, nausea, abdominal cramps
- ✅ Pelvic pain
- ✅ IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
- ✅ Frequent urination
- Allergy & Sinus Problems
- ✅ Shortness of breath
- ✅ Earaches, itchy ears, ringing in the ears
- ✅ Thick mucus, post – nasal drip
- ✅ Sensitivity to mold, yeast, and allergens
- Heart & Circulatory Issues
- ✅ Irregular heartbeat
- ✅ Valve problems
- ✅ Chest pain similar to a heart attack
- Sensory Sensitivity & Sleep Disturbances
- ✅ Difficulty seeing in low light or driving at night
- ✅ Sensitivity to smells, light, noise, temperature, and weather changes
- ✅ Restless sleep, feeling exhausted in the morning
- ✅ Muscle twitching during sleep
- ✅ Teeth grinding
- Cognitive & Neurological Symptoms
- ✅ Brain fog, forgetfulness, trouble concentrating
- ✅ Struggling to recognize familiar places
- ✅ Poor coordination and balance
- ✅ Tingling or burning sensations in the arms and hands
- Skin, Hair & Nails
- ✅ Hair loss
- ✅ Brittle, ridged nails
- ✅ Skin that bruises easily or looks blotchy
- Mental Health Struggles
- ✅ Mood swings and irritability
- ✅ Anxiety, depression, panic attacks
- Reproductive & Hormonal Issues
- ✅ Low libido
- ✅ PMS and irregular menstrual cycles
- ✅ Erectile dysfunction
- Other Unexplained Symptoms
- ✅ Sudden weight gain or loss
- ✅ Chronic headaches and migraines
- ✅ Vision changes
- ✅ Excessive sweating
- ✅ Intense cravings for carbs and chocolate
Diagnosing Fibromyalgia: It’s Complicated
Since these symptoms overlap with many other health problems, diagnosing fibromyalgia isn’t easy. There’s no single test to confirm it. So, doctors rely on a set of criteria from the American College of Rheumatology:
- ✅ Pain lasting at least 3 months in all four quadrants of the body
- ✅ 11 out of 18 tender points that are painful when pressed
- ✅ No other underlying diseases based on diagnostic tests
Common Tests to Rule Out Other Conditions
- 🩸 Complete blood count (CBC)
- 🧬 Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
- 🦠 Rheumatoid Factor Test
- 🩸 Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)
- 🦴 X – rays & MRI
- 🦋 Thyroid function tests
💡 If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t brush them off. Talk to a doctor and get tested. It could be the first step towards finally feeling better.