What Are The Symptoms
What Are The Symptoms?
The possible symptoms of Fibro are very wide and varied and no two sufferers will have exactly the same problems. However, many have a majority of the common symptoms.
Chronic widespread pain is usually the primary symptom of Fibro. This can be aches, as if you have the flu or have run a long race; it can feel like joint pain, as if you have arthritis; it can be burning pain, feeling like someone is pouring acid through your body; or it can be shooting pain, as if you are being stabbed with large needles.
Fibro patients are also hypersensitive to pain: they feel pain from stimuli that should not be painful. Even the lightest touch can be painful; a hug can be excruciating. And the pain from something as simple as knocking your leg on a desk not only feels far worse than it should do, but can carry on being painful for far longer than normal.
Stiffness is often a problem people with Fibro have and this can cause issues with mobility, as well as leading to more pain. People who stay in one position for extended periods, for example whilst sitting at a desk, often find that their stiffness worsens.
Chronic fatigue is common with Fibro and this is often linked with the non-restorative sleep that is typical of Fibro. With this non-restorative sleep, a Fibro sufferer's brain tends to wake them up slightly every time they get into the deep sleep that is needed for physical rejuvenation. This can lead to more fatigue, more pain and other symptoms. The fatigue of Fibro is not like being a bit tired all the time: it can hit suddenly, leaving a Fibro sufferer almost unable to stand; it can be overwhelming, making it impossible to do anything at all; you can feel so tired that it seems impossible to even lift your head.
Cognitive dysfunction is a common problem with Fibro and is nicknamed "Fibro-fog". This can include difficulty in understanding something, difficulty in making decisions, memory loss, problems with concentration, difficulties in speaking coherently and remembering words and problems with typing or writing.
Abnormal responses to exercise are often a problem with Fibro. These can include an over-the-top and sometimes delayed reaction to exercise, as well as muscle weakness and poor stamina unrelated to fitness. People with Fibro can find that their ability to perform exercises varies hugely: for example sometimes they might be able to climb the stairs with little problem, but another time they might not have the strength to manage one step.
People with Fibro often have sensitivities or intolerances to many things, from foods to chemicals. An exposure to something they are intolerant of can cause a flare in all the Fibro symptoms. If someone with Fibro says, for example, that they can't stay in the same room as a smoker, or someone with strong aftershave on, then they mean it and could be quite ill if they continue to do so. People with Fibro can be hypersensitive to almost anything, including sound and light.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is common amongst people with Fibro and this is often worsened by food intolerances sufferers have. Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease and Irritable Bladder are also possible Fibro symptoms.
Autonomic Dysfunction (sometimes called Dysautonomia) of some kind is common with Fibro: this simply means that the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) isn't working properly. The ANS keeps various factors in your body at normal levels, including heart rate, perspiration and respiration. Autonomic Dysfunction with Fibro can include not being able to properly regulate your temperature - people with Fibro are often either too hot or too cold - and fainting.
Headaches and migraines are also common amongst people with Fibro.
Other symptoms include Restless Leg Syndrome or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, Tremors, loss of Coordination, Tinnitus, Mitral Valve prolapse, slow recovery from illness, Sleep Starts (jumping awake as you fall to sleep), Anxiety and problems with the Menstrual cycle in women.
Next: Fibro Causes