Fibromyalgia is usually classified as a soft tissue musculoskeletal
condition. It occurs within your muscles or where your muscles join
their tendons, but not in joints. Symptoms of stiffness, chronic musculoskeletal
pain, aching, disturbed sleep, depression, anxiety, and fatigue plague
patients with FM. Patients do not experience all of the symptoms, but
patients with FM have many specific tender points in the body.
FM symptoms may appear suddenly, but more often appear after an illness
or a traumatic, stressful episode, causing muscle tension that's tight,
stiff, painful--which seems to never completely disappear. Constant
tension leads to overuse or abuse of muscles causing muscle fatigue,
which in turn creates more tension.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
- Sleep disturbances/insomnia
- Chronic aching
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Chronic fatigue
- Gastrointestinal disturbances
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Subjective soft tissue swelling
- Fluid retention
- Poor memory
- PMS
- Tightening sensations
- Restless legs
- Irritable bladder
- Dry mouth
- Hyperventilation
- Paresthesia
- Muscle spasms and trigger points/muscle jerking
- Cardiovascular problems (dizziness, plapitations)
- Tenderness of at least 11 of 18 specific trigger points
Specific anatomical points have become the primary diagnostic factor
for FM. A patient must have at least 11 of 18 tender points at specific
locations.
Tender points are located over muscles and end insertions, and can
extend from mildly irritating to completely disabling. An increased
level of muscle tissue breakdown has been suggested as one of the main
reasons for aching, pain, and fatigue.