Fibromyalgia causes widespread musculoskeletal pain, affecting muscles, tendons, and ligaments, not specific joints, though pain often centers around them, particularly the neck, shoulders, hips, lower back, knees, elbows, and jaw (TMJ), leading to stiffness and tender points, but it doesn't damage the joints themselves. The pain feels like a deep ache or burning, often worse in the morning and with activity, though it's the soft tissues, not the joint structure, that are the primary pain source, unlike arthritis.
Symptoms of Fibromyalgia
Any soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) may be affected. But soft tissue of the neck, upper shoulders, chest, rib cage, lower back, thighs, arms, and areas around certain joints are especially likely to be painful. Less often, the lower legs, hands, and feet are painful and stiff.
Ninety (73%) of the fibromyalgia patients reported altered bowel function as compared to 20 (37%) DJD patients and none of the normal controls (P less than 0.001). Ninety-nine patients (81%) reported normal alternating with irregular bowel pattern, and 77 (63%) had alternating diarrhea and constipation.
Other symptoms you may have if you have fibromyalgia include: dizziness and clumsiness. feeling too hot or too cold – this is because you're not able to regulate your body temperature properly. an overwhelming urge to move your legs (restless legs syndrome)
Unlike the localized pain found in specific joint conditions, fibromyalgia-related pain is more diffuse and common symptoms can impact various parts of the body, including the knees. Outlined below are the ways in which knee pain from fibromyalgia may resemble symptoms of other conditions.
People with fibromyalgia typically have a history of pain and tenderness in many areas of the body that may persist for months or years, and often the symptoms are not accompanied by inflammation, unlike arthritis, which can be confirmed by lab tests and imaging.
Other Overlooked Symptoms
Ear complaints are part of spectrum of symptoms in fibromyalgia (FM). This article reviewed ear complaints in FM and observed that hyperacusis and a high hearing loss rate are frequent in FM. The prevalence of vestibular symptoms (87.0%) (tinnitus, dizziness) was higher than in the general population.
Low blood pressure is a common complication of fibromyalgia, and medications can help with both symptoms and the condition.
Toothaches in those with fibromyalgia aren't always due to typical dental issues such as cavities or gum disease. Instead, fibromyalgia can cause orofacial pain that is unrelated to these common dental problems1.
Urinary incontinence isn't the only bladder issue associated with fibromyalgia. Individuals who have the condition may also be more at risk for developing nocturia or frequent urination at night. One study of 285 subjects in Norway found that 89 to 92% of people with fibromyalgia also had nocturia.
TNX-102 SL (Tonmya; Tonix Pharmaceuticals), cyclobenzaprine HCl sublingual tablets, has been approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia in adult patients, making it the first new treatment approved for the musculoskeletal and chronic pain disorder in over 15 years and the fourth treatment approved overall.
Hip discomfort is one of the most common pain complaints among people with fibromyalgia, and it can make nights feel endless. The good news? The good news? There are practical, evidence-backed ways to soothe the pain, improve your sleep, and support your body.
Fibromyalgia tender points tend to be symmetrical in the body. They are located both above and below the waist around the neck, chest, shoulders, hips, and knees. The tender point should cause pain in that exact area when the doctor presses on it with enough force to turn their fingernail white.
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, better known as TMJ, occurs frequently in people with fibromyalgia. Some symptoms that tend to occur are clicking and popping sounds while moving one's mouth, facial pain, and muscle pain in the head or neck area.
Our study suggests that tinnitus is a key component of centrally mediated symptoms in FM, indicating that tinnitus severity is closely related to FM severity and should be assessed in all FM patients.
Fibromyalgia patients also exhibited higher rates of systemic viral infections such as cytomegaloviral (CMV) disease and COVID-19, in addition to bacterial infections such as staphylococcus.
Patients with FMS had lower test scores for smell and taste functions. Although FMS patients' self-assessment for smell function was significantly different, there was no difference compared to healthy controls for their taste function (Table 3).
Several rheumatic diseases can mimic fibromyalgia. These include sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and lupus. They have symptoms of widespread pain along with joint involvement.
Comfort-oriented gifts like weighted blankets, ergonomic pillows, and heated slippers are popular choices that provide immediate relief and relaxation. Therapeutic tools such as TENS units, handheld massagers, and heat/cold therapy devices offer effective at-home pain management solutions.
Fibromyalgia can be associated with ocular symptoms (foreign body sensation, irritation) and visual disturbances (blurred vision), coexisting with dry eye syndrome and reduced corneal sensitivity. Cases of scleritis, including the necrotizing form, accompanying fibromyalgia have been reported.
Primary care providers (PCPs), such as internists, who specialize in the diagnosis and medical treatment of adults. Most people with fibromyalgia are managed by their PCPs. Rheumatologists, who specialize in arthritis and other diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles.
Those autoimmune diseases include: