FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS, UNDERSTANDING, INFORMATION, ADVICE & LINKS ON FMS & ARTHRITIS...

FIBROMYALGIA and ARTHRITIS, UNDERSTANDING, INFORMATION, ADVICE & LINKS ON FMS & ARTHRITIS...

FIBROMYALGIA (FMS) Symptoms:

I personally suffer from a combination of several symptoms. It’s not a disease, but this syndrome can cause major disruption to daily life and is unpleasant…

**Pain, Tiredness and Sleep Disturbance are the main symptoms of fibromyalgia**.

Most people feel the pain of fibromyalgia as Aching, Stiffness & Tiredness in muscles, tendons & ligaments around joints. It may feel worse first thing in the morning or as the day goes on, or with activity. It may affect one part of the body or several different areas such as limbs, neck or back.

**Fatigue (tiredness) may be the most severe aspect of fibromyalgia**.

There may be overall Tiredness & a Lack Of Energy, or/and Muscle Fatigue as well as a Lack of Endurance.

Either way, it can be difficult to climb the stairs, do the household chores, or go shopping – let alone go to work. Becoming less fit may make matters worse…

Here are some other symptoms that Fibromyalgia sufferers can have:

** Tingling, numbness, poor circulation or swelling of the hands and feet, joint pain, Clumsiness and poor co-ordination.

** Headaches/Migraine, irritability, feeling low or weepy, Neurological Symptoms.

** Forgetfulness and poor concentration, Sensitivity to the cold, Chest Wall Pain

** Needing to pass water or feeling an urgent need to pass water.

** Painful and Irregular Periods and/or PMT,

** Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis (Inflammatory disorder affecting the walls of the bladder, Raynaud’s Disease, Cognitive Problems, Hearing Problems.

** Waking up feeling un-refreshed, Anxiety and/or Depression, Panic Disorders.

** Hypoglycemia, Mitre Valve Prolapse, Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Distrophy (GERD), Hypothyroidism.

** Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS, CFS), Vertigo, Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Costochondritis, Sleep Apnea, Fever, Lupus, Oeteoarthritis.

** Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MPS), Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren’s Syndrome.

** Sore Throats, Swollen Lymph Nodes, Sexual Dysfunction, Eating Disorders, Digestive Problems, Weight Gain, Candidas (Yeast Infections).

** Hair and Nail Problems, Immune System Weakness or Immune Dysfunction, Digestive Problems.

** ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) and Post Polio Syndrome.

Please Note: Naturally symptoms like these can have other causes, and your doctor can help decide whether any further tests or advice are needed. The severity of the symptoms in fibromyalgia can vary considerably and sufferers have a variety of different symptoms. There is a range, from severe disruption of life to almost normal, and this spread causes problems in diagnosing the condition and can lead to varying medical opinions.

Fibromyalgia and Arthritis © Updated 2007 (Formerly Living with Fibromyalgia 2004)