Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia symptoms vary widely and are almost never the same from person to person. Fibromyalgia has a way of worming its way into almost every facet of a patient's life; from severe fatigue to insomnia, it always is different. This makes it very difficult to deal with as a person diagnosed with this complex disease.

Pain

Widespread and chronic pain is by far the "trademark" symptom of fibromyalgia. The pain never seems to go away completely, it just eases up a little or flares and becomes unbearable. The pain can be muscle pain, joint pain, burning, itching, throbbing, or a combination of all of these and more. The constant pain can cause a person to become depressed and withdraw from friends and family. For some sufferers the pain is so intense that they are completely disabled.

Sleeping Problems

One night a person with fibromyalgia can lay in bed for hours to no avail. The next they might fall asleep and have such vivid nightmares that they can't stay asleep. Yet another night they may be in so much pain that sleep is impossible. It can be frustrating to never know if you will be tired, wide awake, have nightmares, or sleep through the night. It is especially hard when you are tired all day and want so badly to fall asleep only to lay down and not be able to get to sleep.

Fatigue

Mind numbing fatigue is one of the most excruciating fibromyalgia symptoms. No matter how long you sleep, no matter how deeply you sleep, you still wake up exhausted and ready to go to bed again. Since most people have to maintain a job, raise a family, or take care of something they have to get up and deal with it. The constant feeling of being worn out takes a toll and can cause irritation, mood swings, and stress. This puts a strain on relationships with family and friends as well.

Cognitive Problems

The constant pain, sleeping problems, and fatigue can take a massive toll on a person's mental well-being. Problems with concentration are almost universal to all people with fibromyalgia. Some patients suffer from frustrating cognitive issues such as forgetfulness. From simply trying to remember where they put the keys, their shoes, and their wallet to much more difficult situations like forgetting their own name, birthday, and where they are headed while on the road, it can be a frustrating experience.

Some people will read over fibromyalgia symptoms and say "Everyone hurts some, and everyone forgets where they left their keys, what's the big deal?" While these are valid points, they forget to remember that people afflicted with fibromyalgia suffer with these symptoms every single moment of every single day. Forgetting things is common, but when it is day after day, year after year, it becomes wearisome and extremely frustrating.