Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPain TypesMuscle and JointFibro FogEnergy and SleepNeurosensoryDigestion/EliminationPsychologicalReproductiveWhen to Get HelpFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Fibromyalgia GuideHow Fibromyalgia Is Diagnosed
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pain Types
Muscle and Joint
Fibro Fog
Energy and Sleep
Neurosensory
Digestion/Elimination
Psychological
Reproductive
When to Get Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Fibromyalgia Guide
Fibromyalgiasymptoms are many and includewidespread pain, fatigue, sleep problems, memory issues, digestive concerns, and a host of things you may not even realize are part of the condition.
While fibromyalgia symptoms aren’t well understood, they’re very real.You may have fairly consistent levels of fibromyalgia symptoms or you may experience periods of low activity (remission) or suddenly intensified symptoms (flares).
This article details the full range of possible fibromyalgia symptoms andwhat they feel like, so you and your healthcare provider can identify fibromyalgia and find the right treatments for you.
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Fibromyalgia Pain Symptoms
The hallmark symptom of fibromyalgia iswidespread painthat can range or fluctuate from mild to incapacitating. To be considered widespread, the pain must be on both sides of your body plus above and below the waist.
In fibromyalgia, the brain processes pain signals in abnormal ways. That leads to unusual pain types:
Some people also have pain that moves in waves through the body. It’s common in fibromyalgia to have multiple types of pain symptoms.
The word fibromyalgia means connective tissue (fibro) and muscle (myo) pain (algia). While those things are true of the condition, fibromyalgia symptoms go well beyond that, including nerve pain, cognitive dysfunction, and much more.
Fibromyalgia pain may change from day to day or even over the course of the day. It may be:
A measurement of widespread pain is called atender pointexam.Healthcare providers check for pain in 18 places (9 paired points) throughout the body. This used to be part of the primary method of diagnosing fibromyalgia and can be used to gauge the success of treatments.
You may not be aware of pain in the tender point locations, but they’re painful when the provider applies pressure.
Muscle and Joint Symptoms
Fibromyalgia isn’t a joint disease likearthritis, but it can cause joint-related symptoms. Most, and possibly all, fibromyalgia cases involve symptoms of the soft tissues, including the muscles and connective tissues (tendons, ligaments, and fascia).
Muscle and joint symptoms may include:
Research suggests these fibromyalgia symptoms are tied to increased rates of functional disability. They can lead to a slower walking speed, shorter stride, and balance problems on a level similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis.
You don’t have to have all of the possible fibromyalgia symptoms to bediagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Cognitive Symptoms
“Fibro fog,” also known as “brain fog,” is one of the more pervasive symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction include:
Many people living with the illness find cognitive dysfunction as debilitating as the pain itself—or even more so.
Fibro Fog Symptoms Explained
Energy and Sleep Symptoms
Fibromyalgia is closely tied tomyalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). They have similar symptoms and some common underlying physiology, and many people have both of them.
Fatigue is among the most characteristic symptoms of fibromyalgia, affecting four out of every five people who have it.
Fibromyalgia-related fatigue often goes hand-in-hand with sleep problems.This pair of symptoms all but guarantees to leave you exhausted and drained.
Symptoms and overlapping sleep disorders include:
Treating sleep disorders can help you feel not only better rested, but can lessen other fibromyalgia symptoms, as well.
Neurosensory Symptoms
As with pain, the neurosensory symptoms of fibromyalgia come from your brain’s abnormal reaction to normal stimuli.
Symptoms can include:
While the cause isn’t well understood, the symptoms are believed to be largely related to hyperactive neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) and overstimulation of certain nerve pathways.
Are Some Rashes More Common in Fibromyalgia?
Digestive and Elimination Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
People with fibromyalgia frequently haveinterstitial cystitis (IC),a condition that causes chronic bladder pain.
Psychological Symptoms
Fibromyalgia anddepressionare closely linked.Some of that may be due to the long-term emotional impact of the condition.
This is why you may be prescribed antidepressants for fibromyalgia even if you don’t have depression.
In addition to depression, other psychological fibromyalgia symptoms may include:
About 86% of people with fibromyalgia are expected to have a major depressive episode at some point in their lives, according to research.
Reproductive Symptoms
Hormones are believed to play a cause-and-effect role in fibromyalgia.On one hand, hormones are believed to trigger symptoms. For example, you may have flares related to your menstrual cycle.
On the other hand,fibromyalgiamay cause hormonal imbalances that trigger symptoms of the reproductive system, predominately in biological females.
Loss of sex drive, impotence, and erectile dysfunction are common in people with fibromyalgia, but they’re believed to be linked to depression and anxiety, or treatments for them, rather than to fibromyalgia itself.
Daily Fibromyalgia Self-Care Around Flare-Ups
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Fibromyalgia symptoms might seem strange, especially when they come and go and can even change considerably from hour to hour. Rest assured that you’re not the first person to feel this way about them, and healthcare providers who treat fibromyalgia are used to all of that.
You should talk to your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:
At your appointment, try not to focus on just the “big” symptoms, as that may lead them in the wrong direction. Give a complete picture, including all of the symptoms you’ve been experiencing.
Fibromyalgia Doctor Discussion GuideGet our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.Download PDFEmail AddressSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.
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Frequently Asked QuestionsThe first signs vary greatly and fibromyalgia can start suddenly or gradually. Watch for the major symptoms:PainFatigueCognitive dysfunctionInsomniaHeadaches (especially changes in headache type, frequency, or severity)DepressionDigestive issuesAccording to diagnostic criteria, fibromyalgia has to involve widespread pain (both sides of the body, above and below the waist).More localized pain is common but varies from person to person, and even day to day in the same person. The most consistent area of pain is probably the spine.During a flare, symptoms are more intense overall. The pain is sometimes described as a full-body migraine. Exhaustion is especially common, as is the feeling of a foggy brain.Learn MoreIn Depth: Fibromyalgia FlaresSo far, it appears that long-haul COVID-19 symptoms may include fibromyalgia or at least symptoms very similar to it. Biological males and people with obesity appear to have a higher risk of this.Also, COVID-19 infection has been found to trigger flares in people who already have fibromyalgia.Learn MoreLong-Haul COVID-19 and FibromyalgiaIt can, yes. This is believed to be due to several factors:Being more sedentary due to fibromyalgia symptoms and depressionPossible changes in the metabolism due to the illnessMedications that are tied to weight gain, especially Lyrica (pregabalin)Carrying extra weight also appears to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.`Learn MoreChallenges of Weight Loss With Fibromyalgia
The first signs vary greatly and fibromyalgia can start suddenly or gradually. Watch for the major symptoms:PainFatigueCognitive dysfunctionInsomniaHeadaches (especially changes in headache type, frequency, or severity)DepressionDigestive issues
The first signs vary greatly and fibromyalgia can start suddenly or gradually. Watch for the major symptoms:
According to diagnostic criteria, fibromyalgia has to involve widespread pain (both sides of the body, above and below the waist).More localized pain is common but varies from person to person, and even day to day in the same person. The most consistent area of pain is probably the spine.
According to diagnostic criteria, fibromyalgia has to involve widespread pain (both sides of the body, above and below the waist).
More localized pain is common but varies from person to person, and even day to day in the same person. The most consistent area of pain is probably the spine.
During a flare, symptoms are more intense overall. The pain is sometimes described as a full-body migraine. Exhaustion is especially common, as is the feeling of a foggy brain.Learn MoreIn Depth: Fibromyalgia Flares
During a flare, symptoms are more intense overall. The pain is sometimes described as a full-body migraine. Exhaustion is especially common, as is the feeling of a foggy brain.
Learn MoreIn Depth: Fibromyalgia Flares
So far, it appears that long-haul COVID-19 symptoms may include fibromyalgia or at least symptoms very similar to it. Biological males and people with obesity appear to have a higher risk of this.Also, COVID-19 infection has been found to trigger flares in people who already have fibromyalgia.Learn MoreLong-Haul COVID-19 and Fibromyalgia
So far, it appears that long-haul COVID-19 symptoms may include fibromyalgia or at least symptoms very similar to it. Biological males and people with obesity appear to have a higher risk of this.Also, COVID-19 infection has been found to trigger flares in people who already have fibromyalgia.
So far, it appears that long-haul COVID-19 symptoms may include fibromyalgia or at least symptoms very similar to it. Biological males and people with obesity appear to have a higher risk of this.
Also, COVID-19 infection has been found to trigger flares in people who already have fibromyalgia.
Learn MoreLong-Haul COVID-19 and Fibromyalgia
It can, yes. This is believed to be due to several factors:Being more sedentary due to fibromyalgia symptoms and depressionPossible changes in the metabolism due to the illnessMedications that are tied to weight gain, especially Lyrica (pregabalin)Carrying extra weight also appears to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.`Learn MoreChallenges of Weight Loss With Fibromyalgia
It can, yes. This is believed to be due to several factors:Being more sedentary due to fibromyalgia symptoms and depressionPossible changes in the metabolism due to the illnessMedications that are tied to weight gain, especially Lyrica (pregabalin)Carrying extra weight also appears to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.`
It can, yes. This is believed to be due to several factors:
Carrying extra weight also appears to make fibromyalgia symptoms worse.`
Learn MoreChallenges of Weight Loss With Fibromyalgia
24 Sources
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