Fibromyalgia Symptoms And Signs (and what HELPS)

Have you recently been having problems with sleeping, mood swings, and pain? You may have a condition called Fibromyalgia. Although it isn’t fatal, it can still have serious long-term effects if it isn’t caught early. Keep reading to find out about the most common Fibromyalgia symptoms and signs and how to ease them. 

Here are the most common fibromyalgia symptoms and signs:

  1. Tender spots in specific places
  2. Feeling discomfort or pain all over the body
  3. Lying awake at night
  4. Restless legs
  5. Headaches
  6. Trouble remembering things

For a more complete list of fibromyalgia symptoms, keep reading! Also, keep in mind that there are different types of fibromyalgia pain you should watch out for.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a long-term chronic illness characterized by muscle pain, joint pain, and fatigue. The pain may sometimes come and vanish all of a sudden. Although there is no exact cause, fibromyalgia can be triggered by various factors including stress, anxiety, genetics, etc.

However, there is no straightforward solution. The condition can be managed through medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies. This can be one of the most common diseases you’ve not heard of unless you are a victim. 

The condition has affected over 10 million people in the United States alone. Also, according to recent statistics, the disease has affected three to 6 percent of the global population. As it turns out, nearly 90% of the victims are women. All to conclude that if you have fibromyalgia, you are not alone.  

However, since fibromyalgia is not well understood, you may feel alone in your suffering.   

Signs and symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has numerous symptoms, varying from one person to another. Widespread pain is a well-known symptom. In some periods, your symptoms may get better or worse, depending on various factors including:

  • Stress level
  • Weather changes 
  • How active you are 

Treatments are available to help you manage some of the symptoms. Unfortunately, they are unlikely to disappear completely.

If you start to notice any of the common Fibromyalgia symptoms and signs listed below, do not panic or self-diagnose! Contact your local fibromyalgia specialist and give them a detailed description of what you are feeling to get an accurate diagnosis. 

Here’s our full list of fibromyalgia symptoms and signs.

Tender spots

There are a few clues that may help you realize that you have Fibromyalgia. One of the main symptoms and signs of Fibromyalgia is the existence of tender spots. 

There are specific places (18 spots) on the body, which will feel very sore if you press on them. They can be spots on the back of your head, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders.

Because there aren’t any specific fibromyalgia tests, a doctor will heavily rely on finding these tender spots to diagnose Fibromyalgia. 

Widespread pain

Feeling discomfort or pain all over the body can also be a sign of this condition. If you feel yourself becoming more sensitive to pain stimuli, then this may be hinting at Fibromyalgia.

Widespread pain is the major symptom of fibro. In most instances, patients are likely to experience widespread pain throughout their bodies.

The symptom can worsen in different body areas, such as the back or the neck. The pain will likely continue for a while, but the severity varies at different times. In most instances, the pain may feel like an ache, burning sensation, or sharp stabbing pain.  

Extreme sensitivity 

The person in question is likely to become quite sensitive to pain. The sensitivity can be continuous that even a touch can be painful. Suppose you’ve stabbed your toes. The pain may last longer than usual. Sensitivity is described in two different medical terms, including:

  • Hyperalgesia – when the person is extremely sensitive to pain. 
  • Allodynia – when the person in question feels the pain from something that shouldn’t be painful such as a light touch. 

The patient may also be sensitive to other things such as smoke, certain foods, and brilliant lights. 

Getting exposed to something you are sensitive to can trigger other fibromyalgia symptoms. 

Stiffness 

Fibromyalgia can lead to stiffness. The condition can be more severe when you’ve been in the same position for hours. For instance, you can experience stiffness when you wake up in the morning. 

Stiffness can also lead to muscle spasms – tight and painful muscle contraction. 

Fatigue 

Fibromyalgia patients may experience fatigue and extreme exhaustion. The condition varies from mild exhaustion to extreme tiredness during a flu-like condition. 

The patient can suddenly experience severe fatigue, which can drain all their energy. In such an instance, you may feel extremely tired and not able to do anything. 

Poor sleep quality 

Patients may experience sleepless nights. You may also wake up tired even when you’ve had enough sleep.

You may also be lying awake at night, as people who have Fibromyalgia are very likely to have conditions that will interrupt their sleep cycle.

The condition may sometimes hinder deep sleep, which is essential for refreshing the body. This is often described as non-restorative sleep. 

Cognitive problems

Cognitive problems are conditions related to mental activities such as learning and thinking. Fibromyalgia patients may find it difficult to remember and learn new things. Additionally, they may have issues with attention and concentration. They may also appear confused and slow. 

Headaches 

You may also have terrible headaches and trouble remembering things. These headaches can be caused by the increased sensitivity that comes with having Fibromyalgia since everything feels louder and brighter.

If you’ve been experiencing pain and stiffness in various parts of your body you’ll also likely have regular headaches. 

The condition can vary from a mild headache to severe migraines. It can also include other symptoms such as illness. 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

 Fibromyalgia patients are also likely to develop irritable bowel syndrome. IBS is a common condition that affects the digestive system, leading to pain and blotting in the stomach. The condition can also lead to constipation and diarrhoea. 

Depression 

Fibromyalgia can sometimes triggers depression. That’s because it can be challenging to deal with the condition and the deficiency of the hormone associated with the condition can make you vulnerable to depression. Depression can lead to many other symptoms, including:

  • Feeling low consistently
  • Becoming hopeless and helpless
  • Lacking interest in the things you enjoyed in the past

If you feel depressed, you can seek help from a GP or Fibromyalgia experts.  

Restless legs

While not specific to fibromyalgia, many people with this condition tend to also suffer from restless legs.

Restless legs that feel like there is something crawling on them will also make the person feel uncomfortable and unable to sleep at night. 

Other symptoms 

Fibromyalgia patients may also experience other symptoms, including:

  • Dizziness and clumsiness 
  • Feeling too hot or sometimes cold. That’s because you are unable to regulate body temperature properly.   
  • Tingling or burning sensation
  • Painless periods in women
  • Anxiety

How do you get Fibromyalgia? 

There is not a single clear cause for Fibromyalgia, but there are multiple factors that may put you at risk.

One of these is experiencing a very traumatic accident that caused heavy physical and emotional stress, such as a car accident, giving birth, the death of a family member, or a recent operation. 

Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases may also put you at risk for Fibromyalgia. It may be hereditary as well. Women are actually seven times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. 

How to manage fibromyalgia symptoms? 

Since there are many different Fibromyalgia symptoms and signs, each person affected will require an individual treatment plan. 

Lifestyle changes form a large part of easing the symptoms. This includes a healthy diet and an active exercise program. Massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic care are also recommended. 

The more mentally troublesome parts of this illness, such as pain, anxiety, and depression, can also be eased by using a weighted blanket for fibromyalgia. Pain relievers and anti-depressants can also form part of the treatment. Don’t take any medicine for Fibromyalgia unless it has been recommended by your doctor. 

Fibromyalgia is not something that will negatively affect your life if you don’t let it. If you start to notice signs and symptoms, then contact a doctor immediately. As long as you follow your individual treatment plan carefully, you won’t have anything to worry about!

If you would like to try a weighted blanket for adults in the UK, Relixiy offers heavy blankets of the best quality that can help reduce pain, insomnia, and anxiety caused by fibromyalgia. Check our store now!

It can be challenging to manage this disease. However, with proper guidelines, you can survive and forget that you are a victim.

The following are other ways that can help you to manage fibromyalgia symptoms:

Hot shower/bath 

Although it may not be your first thought, taking a hot bath can relieve Fibromyalgia-related pain. 

Exercises 

Fibromyalgia patients seem to have a love-hate relationship with exercise. Being active is one of the perfect ways of reducing daily pain. However, it can be the last thing you want to do while feeling exhausted and itchy.

In general, movements play an important role in reducing pain signals. However, it can be challenging to learn how to self-regulate your activity. 

Flexibility with career goals 

Physical jobs are often not a good choice for individuals with fibromyalgia. However, it can be challenging to let go of your dreams, especially if your career plays a major role in your identity.

Giving up on your dream career may feel like your illness has robbed you of the world, and there is no doubt that it’ll bring you down. And that’s where flexibility comes in. 

Daily laughter plays an important role.

Although laughter may not change anything, the pain may feel slightly less. 

Avoid sugar

Sugary foods may only bring short-term happiness. However, they can worsen your Fibromyalgia symptoms as time goes on. 

Incorporate turmeric into your diet 

As advised by Fibromyalgia experts, incorporating turmeric into your diet can lessen the severity of various Fibromyalgia symptoms. Managing these symptoms is the first step toward managing fibromyalgia. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in managing pain. Also, sprinkling turmeric on your food is another way of adding flavour to your food healthily. 

Adequate sleep 

There is an inextricable relationship between sleep and pain. Having enough sleep can help you manage your fibromyalgia. Therefore, it’s advisable to have at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. This can be important, especially during the painful flare of your illness.   

Yoga    

You can be skeptical at the beginning when advised to try yoga. That’s because you already have several joint problems, which can worsen the severity.

The stretching helps reduce the pain and increases mobility during the day. Additionally, when done consistently, it can eliminate exhaustion. Therefore, you can practice yoga at least twice a week and stretch every night before going to bed. 

Electric blanket.

An electric blanket can be the only thing to make you feel better when fibromyalgia hits hard. According to recent reports, an electric blanket can comfort and soothe you to do something for yourself. 

Consider cat, chocolate, and coffee.

This is not about feeling comfortable or pain relieving. However, as per recent studies, petting animals reduces stress.

Chocolate has anti-inflammatory properties, which are important in relieving pain.

On the other hand, coffee can restore drained energy.

Therefore, have some good time with your pet while enjoying your chocolate!    

Avoid comparing yourself to normal people.

“Normal” people can often give fibromyalgia patients wrong advice, which can leave you annoyed. Rather than comparing yourself to those who aren’t sick, focus on other important things. 

Don’t compare yourself to other sufferers. 

One of the perfect ways to manage Fibromyalgia severity is not to compare yourself with others with it. That’s due to the range of what is normal and how folks experience it. People are different, while you are a helpless Fibromyalgia patient, other patients somewhere are able to run marathons.  

Change your medications 

Medication tends to make a significant difference for some individuals suffering from fibromyalgia. However, you won’t know if it will be helpful for you or the kind of medication that will work best for you.   

Create a trigger journal

One of the things that can make a significant benefit is to figure out the triggers of your flares. After the diagnosis, the doctor will likely advise you to keep a journal to figure out the pattern in the foods and activities that can worsen your symptoms. You cannot prevent a flare-up if you don’t know the triggers. 

Consider physical therapy. 

Physical therapy is a perfect solution, especially for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the symptoms and can be managed by doing physical therapy. 

CBD tincture 

Yes, the CBD, you know, is a cannabis extract. Thanks to its legalization. CBD tincture contains CBD oil which is shown to deliver great health benefits. According to recent studies, CBD oil can alleviate various types of pain, including Fibromyalgia-related pain.     

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed clinically depending on the symptoms and physical exams. It’s also advisable to undergo basic blood tests to eliminate other fatigue triggers such as anemia and thyroid disease. The diagnosis depends on the family and medical history combined with symptoms. 

Fibromyalgia patients seem deeply sensitive to pain that may not bother other people. The provider may examine some tender points or sensitive-touch areas on your body. To diagnose the condition, you must have experienced pain, fatigue, and other symptoms for three months.