Little tidbits of my life

For fibromyalgia sufferers, or family members...

I know it's sometimes difficult to describe fibromyalgia to others, such as family members or friends who want to help us.  I thought the following post might help to show common symptoms for this disorder.

I found a list of fibromyalgia symptoms from www.healingwell.com member Radio...The list is also on Radio's blog located at http://fmsymptoms.blogspot.com/ Thanks Radio!

I've created this list of F.M. Symptoms for those interested or who suffer from the Dis-order.

1. PAIN- in the muscle: often described as aching, burning, throbbing, gnawing, shooting, tingling. Almost always exacerbated by exercise and may or may not be present at rest. Can be migratory and differing from day to day.

2. FATIGUE- From feeling tired to exhausted and requiring rest periods during the day.

3. SLEEP DISTURBANCE- not being able to fall asleep and or able to stay asleep. Unrefreshing sleep patterns " feels like I haven't slept."

4. PARESTHESIA- numbness or tingling. ( non dermatomal)

5. DEPRESSION- most often reactive as with chronic pain condition.

6. ANXIETY- may include panic attacks.

7. PERSONALITY CHANGES- usually a worsening of a previous tendency.

8. MOOD SWINGS

9. SUBJECTIVE SWELLING OF EXTREMITIES- i.e. feels swollen but no-one can find anything.

10. HEADACHES- tension and or migraine.

11. COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS: calculation difficulties, memory disturbances, spatial disorientation, difficulty with concentration, short
term memory loss.

12. FREQUENT UNUSUAL NIGHTMARES- or being unable to dream.

13. DYSTONIA- stiff muscles due to involuntary contracture. Difficulty in moving tongue to speak.

14. FREQUENTLY SAYING WRONG WORDS

15. BURNING SENSATIONS

16. LIGHT HEADEDNESS- "Fibro Fog", spaced out, cloudy.

17. MORNING STIFFNESS

18. EASY BRUISING

19. MILD BUTTERFLY RASH- (LUPUS TYPE) May be photo sensitive.

20. NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION- rashes, may be severe itching. NI causes the symptoms and signs of Dermatographia.

21. DISEQUILIBRIUM- Vertigo

22. MUSCLE WEAKNESS- variable with no "objective" abnormality to formal testing.

23. SCIATICA- like pain

24. PHOTOPHOBIA- Intolerance of bright lights.

25. ALTERATION OF TASTE, SMELL and HEARING.

26. LOW FREQUENCY, SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS.

27. DECRESED PAINFUL SOUND THRESHOLD.

28. TINNITUS- ringing in the ears.

29. OCCASIONAL EXAGGERATED NYSTAGMUS- involuntary rapid movementof the eye ball.

30. CHANGES IN VISUAL ACUITY- impaired function of the smooth muscle used for focus as well as skeletal muscles for tracking.

31. INTOLERANCE OF ALCOHOL

32. ENHANCEMENT OF MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

33. INTOLERANCE OF PREVIOUSLY TOLERATED MEDICATIONS

34. WEIGHT CHANGES- usually gained due to the lack of exercise through pain and or tricyclic antidepressants

35. RESTLESS LEGS

36. HEIGHTENED AWARENESS- of symptoms of HYPOGLYCEMIA 9 when blood sugar falls)

37. POSSIBLE CARBOHYDRATE INTOLERANCE

38. SYMPTOMS OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (I.B.S.)

39. HEARTBURN- secondary to I.B.S.

40. SUB-NORMAL TEMPERATURE

41. NIGHT SWEATS.

42. SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

43. HEART PALPITATIONS

44. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES

45. HEART MURMUR-Mitral Valve Prolapse appears to be more symptomatic in FM than normal.

46. IMPOTENCE- reactive and occasionally.

47. SEVERE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME

48. FREQUENT VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS.

49. MUSCLE SPASM- twitching.

50. NON-CARDIAC CHEST PAIN- which may simulate cardiac disorder.

51. PELVIC PAIN.

52. ABDOMINAL WALL PAIN.

53. DRY EYES AND MOUTH.

54. TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER- usually due to abnormal muscle tone.

55. RAYNAUD'S- like symptoms.

56. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME-possible related condition.

57. HAIR LOSS-secondary to psychological stress from FM.

58. VULVODYNIA- Vulvar discomfort or pain, burning, stinging and irritation.

59. PLANTAR ARCH-or heel pain. Exacerbated in FM.

This list of symptoms has been correlated by the Arthritis Foundation S.A.

thanks

04:31, Friday, June 13, 2008 .. Posted by Illoura

I've had FM for about 13 years now and have dealt with almost all of those symptoms (fortunately most come and go - except for the repetitive muscle use=weakness or over-tightness & IBS symptoms). I consider myself quite lucky as far as sufferers go, but do battle depression due to lack of muscle tone/ability, and feeling fat...
I had quit reading about it, feeling I knew what I could - but you've given me a few "AH-HA-so-THATS-whats-causing-it" enlightenments...
* I don't take any prescriptions (anymore) because of their side-effects, but have arthritis and take aspirin for that.
I wish no one had to deal with FM... but I guess it could be worse!
Thank you for sharing this today - I'm certain not to be the only one enlightened by that comprehensive list.

fibro

07:01, Saturday, June 14, 2008 .. Posted by bflegg

Thanks for listing all of the symptoms,, some I didn't realize were related to fibro. And like the first comment sometimes I just need to read this stuff to say "ok, so thats why...." Prayers are on the way for you...
Barb

Untitled Comment

04:13, Wednesday, June 18, 2008 .. Posted by rildapeel1

Sending a big [[[[[[[[[[ HUG ]]]]]]]]]]!!! Love and blessings to thee, rilda *U*