What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Fibromyalgia?
Doctors have found a way to diagnose fibromyalgia through its symptoms. Upon hearing a persons symptoms doctors start to rule out other diseases until a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made. Fibromyalgia is one of those diseases that is hard to diagnose because there is no definitive test to take. Doctors have discovered a way to diagnose fibromyalgia based off of a number of reasons. The main reason is wide spread pain that lasts at least 3 months.
In 2010, the American College of Rheumatology endorsed a new set of criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia. They published those criteria in the journal Arthritis Care and Research.
According to those criteria, you have fibromyalgia if you meet the following three conditions:
You have a widespread pain index (WPI) score of seven or higher and a symptom severity scale (SS) score of five or higher. Or you have a WPI score of three to six and a SS score of nine or higher.
You’ve experienced symptoms at a similar level for at least 3 months.
You don’t have another disorder that could explain your symptoms.
Before these criteria were adopted, doctors used a “tender point” system to diagnose fibromyalgia. Under the old system, you needed to have widespread pain, as well tenderness when pressure was applied to at least 11 out of 18 points on your body.https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia-diagnosis#diagnostic-criteria
“Symptoms often begin after an event, such as physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.”(MayoClinic.org)
The most common symptoms include:
Widespread pain
Stiffness
Fatigue -People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they report sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. (Mayoclinic.org)
Insomnia
Depression
Anxiety
Problems with thinking
Cognitive difficulties. A symptom commonly referred to as "fibro fog" impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks.(mayoclinic.org)
Headaches and/or migraines
Tingling/numbness in hands and feet
Irritable Bowl Syndrome
Other symptoms may include but not necessarily across the board:
Facial pain
TMJ a disorder known as temporomandibular joint syndrome which causes pain in your jaw
Abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation
The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist.(mayoclinic.org)
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, (DSM-5) defines Fibromyalgia as "a chronic pain syndrome that is caused by tenderness or inflammation of the myalgia (a type of muscle pain) and other tissues." The DSM-5 also describes Fibromyalgia as a "notable psychological disorder."
I suffered for years from a pain that I couldn’t exactly pinpoint. I just knew something was wrong but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Having widespread pain that wouldn’t go away isn’t normal. I just knew if I went to the doctor they would give me a diagnosis I wasn’t ready to hear. At times, I would be in so much pain that I would need to go to the emergency room multiple times a month. I would get admitted because the pain was so intense. The doctors said that the intense pain I felt was from a fibro flare up. I was like what in the world is that. I don’t have fibromyalgia. I asked them to please test me again. All of my symptoms pointed to fibromyalgia. The symptoms you just read about I lived through them and continue to live with them. All praise is due to Allah, I am happy and taking care of myself. If I can do it I know you can also ❤️