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==Overview==
==Overview==
==History==
The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are [[chronic]], widespread [[pain]] and [[Allodynia|tenderness to light touch]].
==Common Symptoms==
The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch.  There is also typically moderate to severe fatigue.  Those affected may also experience heightened [[Sensitivity (human)|sensitivity]] of the skin (also called [[allodynia]]), tingling of the skin (often needle-like), achiness in the muscle tissues, prolonged muscle spasms, weakness in the limbs, and [[Neuropathy|nerve pain]].  Chronic sleep disturbances are also characteristic of fibromyalgia.  Indeed, studies suggest that  sleep disturbance are related to a phenomenon called ''alpha-delta sleep'', a condition in which deep sleep (associated with delta EEG waves) is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness (i.e. alpha waves). Deeper stages of sleep (stages 3 & 4) are often dramatically reduced.
 
An example of tactile allodynia is when a person perceives light pressure or the movement of clothes over the skin as painful, whereas a healthy individual would not feel pain. Fibromyalgia patients are often affected by a number of symptoms other than pain, including debilitating fatigue, abnormal sleep architecture, <ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/169541?ordinalpos=40&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Musculosketal symptoms and non-REM sleep disturban...[Psychosom Med. 1975 Jul-Aug&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> (meaning the brain does not reach all the restorative levels of sleep necessary for overall health), functional bowel disturbances,<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15361320?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Fibromyalgia: the gastrointestinal link. [Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> and a variety of neuropsychiatric problems including cognitive dysfunction, <ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17092441?ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia and chronic ...[Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2006&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> which can mean short and/or long term memory problems, slowed information processing ability, diminished attention span and anxiety and depressive symptoms.<ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17894922?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Comorbidity of fibromyalgia and psychiatric disord...[Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
 
In addition, many patients experience cognitive dysfunction (known as "brain fog" or "fibrofog"), which may be characterized by impaired concentration and short-term memory consolidation, impaired speed of performance, inability to multi-task, and cognitive overload.<ref name="pmid17041327">{{cite journal |author=Leavitt F, Katz RS, Mills M, Heard AR |title=Cognitive and Dissociative Manifestations in Fibromyalgia |journal=J Clin Rheumatol. |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=77-84 |year=2002 |pmid=17041327 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Frank Leavitt |title=Fibrofog, Fibromyalgia and Dissociation -- Understanding why some memory-impaired patients with fibromyalgia score normally on neuropsychological testing |url=http://www.webspawner.com/users/frankleavitt/}}</ref> Many experts suspect that "brain fog" is directly related to the sleep disturbances experienced by sufferers of fibromyalgia.
 
Other symptoms often attributed to fibromyalgia that may possibly be due to a [[comorbidity|comorbid]] disorder include [[myofascial pain syndrome]], diffuse non-dermatomal [[paresthesia]]s, functional bowel disturbances and [[irritable bowel syndrome]] (possibly linked to lower levels of [[ghrelin]][http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17689128?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum], [[Urinary system|genitourinary]] symptoms and [[interstitial cystitis]]), [[Dermatology|dermatological]] disorders, [[headache]]s, [[Myoclonus|myoclonic twitches]], and symptomatic [[hypoglycemia]]. Although fibromyalgia is classified based on the presence of chronic widespread pain, pain may also be localized in areas such as the [[shoulder]]s, [[neck]], low [[back]], [[hip]]s, or other areas. Many sufferers also experience varying degrees of facial pain and have high rates of comorbid [[temporomandibular joint disorder]]. Weather sensitive pain is common (see [[RSD]], [[CRPS]], [[Thermography]]). Not all patients have all symptoms.
 
Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood, that are often misdiagnosed as [[growing pains]]. Symptoms are often aggravated by unrelated illness or changes in the weather. They can become more tolerable or less tolerable throughout daily or yearly cycles; however, many people with fibromyalgia find that, at least some of the time, the condition prevents them from performing normal activities such as driving a car or walking up stairs. The disorder does not cause [[inflammation]] as is characteristic of [[rheumatoid arthritis]], although some [[NSAID]]s may temporarily reduce pain symptoms in some patients.
===Variability of symptoms===
The following factors have been proposed to exacerbate symptoms of pain in patients:


==History and Symptoms==
The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are [[chronic]], widespread [[pain]] and [[allodynia|tenderness to light touch]]. Other symptoms include:<ref name="pmid17041327">{{cite journal |author=Leavitt F, Katz RS, Mills M, Heard AR |title=Cognitive and Dissociative Manifestations in Fibromyalgia |journal=J Clin Rheumatol. |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=77-84 |year=2002 |pmid=17041327 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Frank Leavitt |title=Fibrofog, Fibromyalgia and Dissociation -- Understanding why some memory-impaired patients with fibromyalgia score normally on neuropsychological testing |url=http://www.webspawner.com/users/frankleavitt/}}</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/169541?ordinalpos=40&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Musculosketal symptoms and non-REM sleep disturban...[Psychosom Med. 1975 Jul-Aug&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15361320?ordinalpos=4&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Fibromyalgia: the gastrointestinal link. [Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17092441?ordinalpos=7&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia and chronic ...[Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2006&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17894922?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Comorbidity of fibromyalgia and psychiatric disord...[Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007&#93; - PubMed Result<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref name="pmid17689128">{{cite journal |vauthors=Tander B, Atmaca A, Aliyazicioglu Y, Canturk F |title=Serum ghrelin levels but not GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels are altered in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome |journal=Joint Bone Spine |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=477–81 |year=2007 |pmid=17689128 |doi=10.1016/j.jbspin.2007.01.024 |url=}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
!Organ system
!Symptoms
|-
|Systemic
|
* [[Weight gain]]
* Feeling cold
* Severe [[fatigue]]
|-
|[[CNS]]
|
* [[Headaches]]
* [[Insomnia|Sleep disorders]]
* [[Dizziness]]
* [[Cognitive impairment]]
* [[Mood disturbances|Mood disturbance]]
* [[Memory impairment]]
* [[Anxiety]]/[[Depression]]
* [[Tingling]] of the skin
|-
|[[Musculoskeletal]]
|
* [[Myofascial pain syndrome|Myofascial pain]]
* [[Twitch|Twitches]]
* [[Myalgia]]
* Prolonged [[muscle spasms]]
* [[Muscle weakness]]
* [[Allodynia]]
|-
|Abdominal
|
*[[Nausea]]
*[[Pain]]
|-
|Eyes
|
*[[Blurred vision]]
*[[Photosensitivity]]
|}
*Other symptoms often attributed to fibromyalgia that may be due to a [[comorbidity|comorbid]] disorder include [[myofascial pain syndrome]], diffuse, non-dermatomal [[paresthesia]]s, functional bowel disturbances, and [[irritable bowel syndrome]] (possibly linked to lower levels of [[ghrelin]], [[Urinary system|genitourinary]] symptoms, and [[interstitial cystitis]]), [[Dermatology|dermatological]] disorders, [[headache]]s, [[Myoclonus|myoclonic twitches]], and symptomatic [[hypoglycemia]].
*Though fibromyalgia is classified based on the presence of [[Chronic (medical)|chronic]], widespread [[pain]], pain may also be localized in areas such as the [[shoulder]]s, [[neck]], low [[back]], [[hip]]s, or other areas.
*Many patients also experience varying degrees of facial [[pain]] and have high rates of [[comorbid]] [[temporomandibular joint disorder]] and the symptoms of fibromyalgia are often aggravated by unrelated [[illness]].
*Symptoms can have a slow onset, and many patients have mild symptoms beginning in childhood that are often misdiagnosed as [[growing pains]].
*The disorder does not cause [[inflammation]], which is instead characteristic of [[rheumatoid arthritis]]. However, some [[NSAID]]s may temporarily reduce pain symptoms in some patients.
The following factors have been proposed to exacerbate symptoms of pain in patients with fibromyalgia:
* Increased [[psychosocial]] [[Stress (medicine)|stress]]
* Increased [[psychosocial]] [[Stress (medicine)|stress]]
* Excessive physical exertion (exercise seems to decrease the pain threshold of people with fibromyalgia but increase it in healthy individuals)<ref>{{cite journal | author = Staud R, Robinson ME, Price DD | title = Isometric exercise has opposite effects on central pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia patients compared to normal controls. | journal = Pain | volume = 118 | issue = 1-2 | pages = 176-84 | year = 2005 | id = PMID 16154700}}</ref>
* Excessive physical exertion (exercise seems to decrease the pain threshold of people with fibromyalgia but increase the pain threshold in healthy individuals)<ref>{{cite journal | author = Staud R, Robinson ME, Price DD | title = Isometric exercise has opposite effects on central pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia patients compared to normal controls. | journal = Pain | volume = 118 | issue = 1-2 | pages = 176-84 | year = 2005 | id = PMID 16154700}}</ref>
* Lack of [[slow-wave sleep]]
* Lack of [[slow-wave sleep]]
* Changes in humidity and barometric pressure (see [[RSD]], [[CRPS]], [[Thermography]])
* Changes in humidity and barometric pressure (see [[RSD]], [[CRPS]], and [[thermography]])


==Less Common Symptoms==
==References==
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
[[Category:Needs content]]
[[Category:Rheumatology]]
[[Category:Diseases involving the fasciae]]
[[Category:Syndromes]]
[[Category:Ailments of unknown etiology]]

Latest revision as of 19:45, 17 April 2018

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch.

History and Symptoms

The defining symptoms of fibromyalgia are chronic, widespread pain and tenderness to light touch. Other symptoms include:[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

Organ system Symptoms
Systemic
CNS
Musculoskeletal
Abdominal
Eyes

The following factors have been proposed to exacerbate symptoms of pain in patients with fibromyalgia:

  • Increased psychosocial stress
  • Excessive physical exertion (exercise seems to decrease the pain threshold of people with fibromyalgia but increase the pain threshold in healthy individuals)[8]
  • Lack of slow-wave sleep
  • Changes in humidity and barometric pressure (see RSD, CRPS, and thermography)

References

  1. ↑ Leavitt F, Katz RS, Mills M, Heard AR (2002). "Cognitive and Dissociative Manifestations in Fibromyalgia". J Clin Rheumatol. 8 (2): 77–84. PMID 17041327.
  2. ↑ Frank Leavitt. "Fibrofog, Fibromyalgia and Dissociation -- Understanding why some memory-impaired patients with fibromyalgia score normally on neuropsychological testing".
  3. ↑ Musculosketal symptoms and non-REM sleep disturban...[Psychosom Med. 1975 Jul-Aug] - PubMed Result
  4. ↑ Fibromyalgia: the gastrointestinal link. [Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004] - PubMed Result
  5. ↑ Cognitive dysfunction in fibromyalgia and chronic ...[Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2006] - PubMed Result
  6. ↑ Comorbidity of fibromyalgia and psychiatric disord...[Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007] - PubMed Result
  7. ↑ Tander B, Atmaca A, Aliyazicioglu Y, Canturk F (2007). "Serum ghrelin levels but not GH, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 levels are altered in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome". Joint Bone Spine. 74 (5): 477–81. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2007.01.024. PMID 17689128.
  8. ↑ Staud R, Robinson ME, Price DD (2005). "Isometric exercise has opposite effects on central pain mechanisms in fibromyalgia patients compared to normal controls". Pain. 118 (1–2): 176–84. PMID 16154700.
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