FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS

FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS

According to the American College of Rheumatology, there are eighteen places on the body where someone with fibromyalgia syndrome could feel pain or tenderness. If you find you hurt in at least eleven of these spots, you may have fibromyalgia. The eighteen tender spots actually mirror each other on the left and right sides of the body in nine places:

• the base of the skull the base of the neck where the shoulders begin
• the top of the shoulders toward the back
• on or between the shoulder blades
• at the top of the hip (backside)
• on the outside of the hip
• on the fat pad over the knee
• the breast bone
• on the outer edge of the forearm just below the elbow

Besides these diagnostic points, other common symptoms experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers include:

• widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, often where they attach to the bone
• mild to severe fatigue
• muscle spasms and cramps
• nausea
• irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• temperomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome (TMJ)
• cognitive and/or memory impairment, also known as ibro-fog?or rain fog?
• morning stiffness
• anxiety
• depression
• chronic tension or migraine headaches, often severe
• dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
• sleep disorders such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep apnea, periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), and bruxism (teeth grinding)
• dizziness/vertigo, often accompanied by nausea
• exacerbated allergy symptoms (affecting the nasal passages)
• muscle weakness and twitching
• impaired coordination
• sensitivity to odors, bright lights, loud noises, and medications
• low tolerance for exercise and physical exertion in general (can cause muscle pain for days afterward)

If you believe you have fibromyalgia, it can be an uphill battle trying to find a doctor who believes you and who believes it to be a real medical condition. If one doctor downplays the reality of fibromyalgia, seek another opinion. A rheumatologist who specializes in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue would be a good choice.

Your doctor should check each of the eighteen spots for tenderness. She shouldn’t have to press hard; even light pressure on these areas can cause pain. If, at the time of the exam, you don’t experience pain in some of the areas that you have before, be sure to tell her. Fibromyalgia can seem to have a mind of its own, as some symptoms will come and go.

It would be a good idea to print this article and highlight each of the symptoms you experience, and write down any others you can think of. Being informed, prepared, and knowing your symptoms will put you on the track to a correct diagnosis.

FIBROMYALGIA AND EXERCISE

The couch is a pretty inviting place if you are suffering from the chronic pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia. Living a mostly sedentary lifestyle, however, can actually make the condition worse and cause you to experience more pain than you would if you exercised on a regular basis. Exercise is, according to many doctors, one of the best natural treatments for fibromyalgia and vital to taking back your life.

Before you start thinking that exercise just isn’t worth the effort, consider the following benefits it holds for people with fibromyalgia:

Stronger muscles
Stronger bones (with light strength training)
Increased flexibility
Better circulation
Greater production of endorphins, which results in:
Less depression and anxiety
Better quality of sleep
Pain relief
Increased production of serotonin and adrenaline, both of which have been shown to inhibit pain
Lessens the risk of cardiovascular diseases
Lessens the risk of stroke
Easier weight loss and weight maintenance, which helps to relieve stress on joints
Higher energy level
More endurance

People with fibromyalgia should avoid vigorous workouts and sports activities, which carry real potential for injury due to tight muscles and low endurance levels (overdoing exercise with tight muscles can lead to painful micro-tears). Instead, consider taking part in more gentle forms of exercise, like yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, walking, biking, and swimming. Start with short distances and durations for the last three, and always start any workout with slow and gentle stretching (in fact, fibromyalgics should do some stretching every day).

Body building is not recommended for people with fibromyalgia, but it is fine to work with light weights. Start with one to two pound weights, and go up from there. It is more important to add repetitions than weight, as more repetitions will tone you instead of adding bulk. If you find one weight level has become too easy for you, consider adding more reps before exchanging your light dumbbells for heavier ones. No dumbbells? Water bottles or cans of soup will work in a pinch.

You may also want to consider the following gear for your workouts:

Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing
Yoga or Pilates mat (a Pilates mat is recommended, as it will be thicker and provide more cushioning than a yoga mat)
Resistance bands
Ankle weights (even great for wearing as you go about your daily activities)
Exercise ball

If you are someone who dealt with a lot of chronic pain due to fibromyalgia, start with the simplest of exercise routines: stretching, walking, and light strength training. If you can do nothing but stretch, start with that. Above all, remember especially for those with fibromyalgiathat exercise should never be taken to the point of pain.