Where does fibromyalgia usually start?

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or at multiple sites. Pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as aching, burning, or throbbing.

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What are usually the first signs of fibromyalgia?

What are the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia?
  • Pain and stiffness all over the body.
  • Fatigue and tiredness.
  • Depression and anxiety.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Problems with thinking, memory, and concentration.
  • Headaches, including migraines.

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Where is the most common pain for fibromyalgia?

The central feature of fibromyalgia is chronic pain in multiple sites. These sites are the head, each arm, the chest, the abdomen, each leg, the upper back and spine, and the lower back and spine (including the buttocks). The pain may be mild to severe. It may feel like a deep ache, or a stabbing, burning pain.

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How does fibromyalgia start out?

Fibromyalgia is often triggered by an event that causes physical stress or emotional (psychological) stress. Possible triggers include: a serious injury, such as after a car accident. an infection, such as Epstein-Barr virus or Lyme disease.

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What are the top three primary symptoms of fibromyalgia?

The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
  • Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. ...
  • Fatigue. ...
  • Cognitive difficulties.

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Fibromyalgia | Signs & Symptoms, Associated Conditions

30 related questions found

What part of the body hurts with fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. It is an ongoing (chronic) condition. It can affect your neck, shoulders, back, chest, hips, buttocks, arms, and legs. The pain may be worse in the morning and evening.

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What can be mistaken for fibromyalgia?

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. Most rheumatic diseases are treated with medication and physical therapy.

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How do I know if my pain is fibromyalgia?

The main symptoms of fibromyalgia are: Chronic, widespread pain throughout the body or at multiple sites. Pain is often felt in the arms, legs, head, chest, abdomen, back, and buttocks. People often describe it as aching, burning, or throbbing.

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Does fibromyalgia show up in blood tests?

Tests to check for some of these conditions include urine and blood tests, although you may also have X-rays and other scans. If you're found to have another condition, you could still have fibromyalgia as well.

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What does fibromyalgia feel like in legs?

What does fibromyalgia leg pain feel like? If you're suffering from fibromyalgia leg pain, you may experience throbbing, shooting, achy, or burning sensations in your legs. Often, you'll feel the pain at your fibro tender points, particularly inside of each knee and on the hip just behind your hipbone.

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How do doctors test for fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed based primarily on having pain all over the body, along with other symptoms. Currently, there are no specific laboratory or imaging tests for fibromyalgia.

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What are the 4 stages of fibromyalgia?

Results: There were four parent stages of FM identified and labeled: 1) regional FM with classic symptoms; 2) generalized FM with increasing widespread pain and some additional symptoms; 3) FM with advanced and associated conditions, increasing widespread pain, increased sleep disturbances, and chemical sensitivity; ...

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What painkiller is best for fibromyalgia?

The drugs amitriptyline, duloxetine, milnacipran and pregabalin can relieve fibromyalgia pain in some people. They may cause side effects such as a dry mouth or nausea. Normal painkillers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen (paracetamol) aren't recommended for the treatment of fibromyalgia.

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At what age is fibromyalgia usually diagnosed?

Fibromyalgia occurs most often in women older than age 40, especially in people who have a family history of the condition.

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Does fibromyalgia ever go away?

There's no cure for fibromyalgia, but your healthcare provider will help you find a combination of treatments that relieve your symptoms. Even though experts don't know what causes fibromyalgia, it's real — and so are your symptoms. They might come and go or be hard to describe, but how you feel is valid and important.

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Will fibromyalgia show on MRI scan?

In people with fibromyalgia blood tests fail to show any serious abnormalities. CT and MRI scans looking for abnormalities affecting the brain, spinal cord or nerves are normal or inconsistent with the persons symptoms.

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Can a GP diagnose fibromyalgia?

Your GP will usually be able to diagnose fibromyalgia based on your symptoms, and by ruling out other potential causes for your pain. They'll ask you about your symptoms, your general health, and your medical and family history.

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Is there a blood test for fibromyalgia in Australia?

There are no blood tests, x-rays or scans that can test for fibromyalgia. Your doctor or rheumatologist (arthritis specialist) will look for a number of features that are typical of fibromyalgia to diagnose the condition.

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What is first line for fibromyalgia pain?

Gabapentin (Neurontin) is sometimes helpful in reducing fibromyalgia symptoms, while pregabalin (Lyrica) was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat fibromyalgia.

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How long do fibromyalgia flares last?

A flare can be over in 1 to 2 days or last as long as a few weeks. Here are some of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia: Muscle achiness: often in the neck, back, arms, and legs. Joint pain: in your knees, hips, hands, etc.

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Is fibromyalgia a nerve or muscle pain?

Fibromyalgia, or Fibromyalgia Pain Syndrome, is a chronic and widespread musculoskeletal pain and fatigue disorder. It is defined as a long-term, body-wide pain in muscles, ligaments and tendons – the soft fibrous tissues in the body.

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Why is fibromyalgia not taken seriously?

Unfortunately, fibromyalgia is still a somewhat controversial diagnosis, because it is not yet fully understood and its symptoms can overlap with many other conditions. Some people even say that it's a “garbage can” diagnosis that's only given when no other one can be made.

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How do I know if I have polymyalgia or fibromyalgia?

People with fibromyalgia often experience pain on both sides of the body, usually in 18 key places. People with polymyalgia typically feel stiffness and pain in their shoulders, back, and hip girdles. Mental health.

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What is the difference between MS and fibromyalgia?

Key Differences Between MS and Fibromyalgia

MS is an autoimmune disease caused by a problem within the immune system that causes damage to the layer covering the nerves. Fibromyalgia is thought to be caused by abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain.

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