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Fibromyalgia Friends' Symptom Compilation


© Tamara Peters

An extensive list of symptoms compiled by the Fibromyalgia Friends' Support Group.

Let me preface this list by saying - although this list is long, not everyone will have all of these symptoms, but many of us will have most of these symptoms at one time or another. Although FMS has not been considered progressive, in the past, the symptoms can and often do become worse over time. It is also possible your symptoms will lessen with time.

Most importantly - any new or puzzling symptom should be checked out by your primary physician. Do not just assume it is due to Fibro!


Physiological:
  • Fatigue - physical and mental
  • Pain - widespread
  • Growing pains as a child
  • Muscles - may experience weakness, spasms, tics, twitches, cramps, burning, jumping, throbbing, tension, stiffness (especially in the morning or after prolonged idleness)
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Difficulty going up/down stairs
  • Buckling knees
  • Trigger finger/thumb
  • Weak knees and ankles
  • Feeling of swollen extremities
  • Pain around joints
  • Fluctuating blood pressure
  • Overall weakness
  • Tender points
  • Weight gain/loss - appetite and metabolism may be too high or too low
  • Exercise intolerance
  • Paradoxical breathing (shallow breathing)

Paresthesia - tingling or numbness in extremities (hands/feet/fingers/arms and legs - may also be widespread)

Malaise - flu-like symptoms

Heart rate dysfunction (palpitations) Breast pain and tenderness Costochondritis (chest pain)

Chronic headaches/migraines - facial/jaw pain

Impaired coordination - clumsiness, lack of hand/eye coordination, dropping things unexpectedly, staggered walk, bumping into things

Broken thermostats Night sweats

Fever (unexplained, low-grade)

Foot problems - Plantar Fasciitis, Mortons foot (also called FMS foot) - narrow heel, wide front, high arch. Foot/toe pain Tarsal Tunnel

Nails - no 1/2 moon, vertical ridges may develop in fingernails and toe nails. Nails may split, and break off easily. If they do grow they may curve or curl under.

Hair - dry, brittle, hair loss, clogged hair folicles

Dental - unexplained tooth pain, excess tartar, grinding teeth

Sinus - stuffiness, dry mucous membranes, allergies

Dry eyes, nose, mouth, itchy mouth, chronic dry cough

Ears - internal itching, tinnitus, hearing loss, pain, fluid build up, dizziness, vertigo

Gastrointestinal problems - esophageal reflux (heartburn), difficulty swallowing, choking, indigestion, nausea, gas (abdominal pain and cramps), constipation/diarrhea, bloating

Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) PMS Vulvodynia Yeast infections - internal or external Sexual dysfunction

Skin Problems - dry, itchy and raised patches on skin, rashes, bruise easily, scar easily (usually dark) sensitive skin, redness, mottling

Visual Disturbances - blurred vision, days when unable to focus, unexpected tearing of eyes, dark specks or drifting spots, loss of night vision, shaky vision, frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, creates problems when driving, lack of depth perception

Hypersensitivities - fluorescent lights (sound and flicker), bright lights, motion, sound, ultra-sensitive skin(allodynia), heat and/or cold, electromagnetic sensitivity, odors,(smell too much or too little), food, alcohol, medications, hyperaltertness (startle easily)

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

46.   Feb 29, 2004 5:21 PM
In response to message posted by tamara_peters:

Well, I have yet to be diagnosed and my doctors didn't diagnose me with "Fibro" ...


-- posted by Tery01


45.   Feb 29, 2004 4:33 PM
In response to message posted by Tery01:

Tery, I don't believe this is the norm either, but I do believe that misdiagnoses do happ ...

-- posted by tamara_peters


44.   Feb 29, 2004 12:24 PM
In response to message posted by biogardener:


I don't believe this to be true. A lot of people who don't have fibro, CFS, or a ...


-- posted by Tery01


43.   Feb 29, 2004 11:44 AM
In response to message posted by biogardener:

Traute, sorry to say that is sometimes the case. A diagnosis is dependent on the

-- posted by tamara_peters


42.   Feb 28, 2004 11:37 PM
With all these symptoms, it almost sounds like doctors decide on a fibromyalgia diagnosis when they can't pin down anything else. Is there a definite test which shows for sure whether a person has fi ...

-- posted by biogardener





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Tamara Peters's Fibromyalgia Resources topic, please visit the Discussions page.