Fibromyalgia Symptoms Always Include Pain and May Include as Many as 12 Other Symptoms

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There are certain fibromyalgia symptoms that occur in virtually all cases and other symptoms which occur in many, but not all cases, even though fibromyalgia takes many forms and in all likelihood is caused by a combination of factors,

The primary feature present in all cases of fibromyalgia is systemic body pain, with pain upon palpation in 11 of 18 specific pressure points. Click here for tender points

Pain symptoms can vary greatly in severity and location. Some patients report pain limited to the specific fibromyalgia tender points. Other patient report systemic whole body pain of a diffuse nature which can range in severity from aching to burning in nature.FM Monograph,Fibromyalgia: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Research; fmpartnership.org.

In addition to the pain, many fibromyalgia patients report a variety of additional fibromyalgia symptoms. These include:

• Sleep Disorders or Unrefreshing Sleep
• General Fatigue
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Headaches and Facial Pain
• Heightened Sensitivity to Odor, Noise, Light and Touch
• Difficulty Concentrating
• Lightheadedness
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Subjective Feverish Sensation
• Dry Skin and Eyes
• Depression and Anxiety.

Id., MayoClinic.com/print/fibromyalgia.

The causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, although research has established that many patients have similar abnormal biochemical substance levels or other similar medical histories. These other fibromyalgia symptoms include:

• Substance P levels three times that of the general population
• Serotonin Deficiencies
• Abnormal Growth Hormone Axis
• Subclinical Hypothyroidism
• Variations in Norepinephrine Levels
• History of Trauma to Central Nervous System
• History of Infection
• Dysfunction of Hormones of the Hypothalmus, Pituitary and Adrenal Glands

Ibid.

Because these fibromyalgia symptoms do not occur in all fibromyalgia patients, the variations in presentation among patients, has lead experts to hypothesize that there may be subgroups within the overall category of fibromyalgia. Russel IJ, Fibromyalgia Syndrome Sub-Groups. Editorial. Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain 2002;10(3):1-2. Given the variations seen in individual patients, it is clear that this is a complex disorder and further research is essential to gain a more accurate understanding of the dynamics of this disorder. Return to Home Page

More Information on Fibromyalgia Symptoms