Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPain VariationsOther SymptomsTalking With Your ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Pain Variations
Other Symptoms
Talking With Your Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
Fibromyalgia is achronicmedical condition that causes widespread pain and tenderness along with symptoms like fatigue, cold sensitivity, sleep problems, and a mental “fog.” It can be difficult to more specifically describe what fibromyalgia feels like because it can vary so much from one person to the next.
For example, fibromyalgia pain—the defining feature of the condition—can be:
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This article describes the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia in greater detail so you can have a better idea of how people experience the condition. If anything sounds familiar, speak to your healthcare provider.
What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia?Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood medical condition that is classified as acentral sensitization disorder. These are conditions in which the nervous system “misfires” and amplifies normal sensations to the point where they cause pain or discomfort.
What Exactly Is Fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood medical condition that is classified as acentral sensitization disorder. These are conditions in which the nervous system “misfires” and amplifies normal sensations to the point where they cause pain or discomfort.
Describing Fibromyalgia Pain
Fibromyalgia is unique in that the diagnosis and characterization of the disease are based largely on a person’s self-reported assessment of pain.
These are some of the variables that people with fibromyalgia pain may encounter:
Fibromyalgia “Tender Points"It’s a common misconception that fibromyalgia causes pain in specific location around the body called “tender points.” Those 18 clinically defined points are a measurement of widespread pain or tenderness that doctors once used to diagnose fibromyalgia. While you may feel discomfort when pressure is put on these spots, they’re not places that hurt all the time.
Fibromyalgia “Tender Points”
It’s a common misconception that fibromyalgia causes pain in specific location around the body called “tender points.” Those 18 clinically defined points are a measurement of widespread pain or tenderness that doctors once used to diagnose fibromyalgia. While you may feel discomfort when pressure is put on these spots, they’re not places that hurt all the time.
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Pain is the main feature of fibromyalgia, but it’s not the only one. As a central sensitization disorder, the misinterpretation of nerve signals can affect other organ systems, including the brain, eyes, digestive tract, and muscles.
In addition to pain and tenderness, other symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
It is important to keep a record of your symptoms, including when they occur, what they feel like, and what you are doing when they flare up. The more information your provider has, the sooner they will be able to render a diagnosis.
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How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider
When it comes to discussing symptoms like these with a healthcare provider, people are sometimes met with skepticism—particularly if the provider has never dealt with fibromyalgia before.
To this end, be patient and keep an open mind when speaking with your provider. While you may reasonably assume that your symptoms fit the profile of fibromyalgia, there are numerous other conditions that can cause fibromyalgia-like pain, including:
If your provider is not experienced with these issues, they can help refer you to a specialist who is, such as arheumatologist.
Why Won’t Your Healthcare Provider Diagnose Fibromyalgia?
A Word From Verywell
Fibromyalgia has a lot of symptoms in common with other conditions, so while it pays to be informed about what you could have, try not to jump to conclusions about what’s causing your symptoms.
It’s important to stay open-minded and work with your healthcare provider through what can be a long, frustrating diagnostic process. Remember that your goal is to get an accurate diagnosis so that you can find the right treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe first signs of fibromyalgia are different for everyone but may include:AchingFatigueNon-restful sleepBurning painPins and needlesPounding painOverall sorenessWhile each person with fibromyalgia is different, the condition commonly includes the following tender points:Back of the headFront lower sides of the neckHipsInner elbowsJust above the inner kneeTop of the shouldersUpper back near the shoulder bladesUpper buttocksUpper chestYes, fibromyalgia can cause weakness in your legs. However, the condition presents differently in each individual and you may not experience this.Learn MoreWhat Causes Leg Weakness?In some cases, primary care physicians or internal medicine doctors are well-versed in spotting the condition and can make a diagnosis. In other cases, you may be referred to a rheumatologist, neurologist, or another specialist to rule out other possible causes of pain.
The first signs of fibromyalgia are different for everyone but may include:AchingFatigueNon-restful sleepBurning painPins and needlesPounding painOverall soreness
The first signs of fibromyalgia are different for everyone but may include:
While each person with fibromyalgia is different, the condition commonly includes the following tender points:Back of the headFront lower sides of the neckHipsInner elbowsJust above the inner kneeTop of the shouldersUpper back near the shoulder bladesUpper buttocksUpper chest
While each person with fibromyalgia is different, the condition commonly includes the following tender points:
Yes, fibromyalgia can cause weakness in your legs. However, the condition presents differently in each individual and you may not experience this.Learn MoreWhat Causes Leg Weakness?
Yes, fibromyalgia can cause weakness in your legs. However, the condition presents differently in each individual and you may not experience this.
Learn MoreWhat Causes Leg Weakness?
In some cases, primary care physicians or internal medicine doctors are well-versed in spotting the condition and can make a diagnosis. In other cases, you may be referred to a rheumatologist, neurologist, or another specialist to rule out other possible causes of pain.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw D, Fitzcharles M, et al.2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.Semin Arthritis Rheum.2016;46(3):319–29. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.08.012.MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Washington University Medicine.Fibromyalgia.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw D, Fitzcharles M, et al.2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.Semin Arthritis Rheum.2016;46(3):319–29. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.08.012.MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Washington University Medicine.Fibromyalgia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.Wolfe F, Clauw D, Fitzcharles M, et al.2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.Semin Arthritis Rheum.2016;46(3):319–29. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.08.012.MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.Washington University Medicine.Fibromyalgia.
American College of Rheumatology.Fibromyalgia.
Wolfe F, Clauw D, Fitzcharles M, et al.2016 Revisions to the 2010/2011 fibromyalgia diagnostic criteria.Semin Arthritis Rheum.2016;46(3):319–29. doi:10.1016/j.semarthrit.2016.08.012.
MedlinePlus.Fibromyalgia.
Washington University Medicine.Fibromyalgia.
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