Other symptoms

General
1

I still don't know how to say things here so I'm trying. I'm curios to find out what other symptoms people ha e besides th e pain. Anyone with muscle spasm and cramps even really se ere abdominal cramps?

2

Hi Dawn. I do get spasms in my upper back and neck area. I get leg and foot cramps occasionally. No severe abdominal cramps though. Have you talked to your doctor about those? Severe abdominal cramps should be evaluated. Hope you feel better.

3

Hi yes I had an abdominal Ct scan and it was fine. Doc told me to watch for fever. I just feel like pain is just a small part of everything. I have horrible anxiety. Been really bad for the past few months. Now I’m getting really depressed. I just want to feel happy and normal again. Hope you’re doing ok.

4

You might check out the discussions on fibro fog.I personally do not have it but it sounds like many people do.

I also have had severe abdominal cramping...along with diarrhea and at times vomiting.But I have had it about all my life so I know it has nothing to do with fibro. I agree that it should be checked out

I mainly just have the all over muscle pain that centers hardest in larger joints, like hips, shoulder and neck area etc. I have found that hot baths with epsom salt really works in relieving them. Also massages if you can afford them....which i cannot so is only 'treat '. I do use home massage and recently bought a nicer one that hopefully even help more.

I just kind of skip through the topics....and see if any thing relates to you. Do not worry about expressing yourself, you did great! If things are over whelming you or are scared about having a chronic disease and how do you work with it etc, well there are many of those topic are being discussed. GOOD LUCK!

5

Hi Dawn, I get muscle spasms in the middle of my chest, one shoulder and my back, also get what I call “charley horses” or cramps in my legs, ankles and feet. I get fairly severe cramps in my stomach which my doctor thinks are probably a result of IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), which is pretty common for people FMS. I agree about the pain, seeming like a small part at times,sometimes the chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression seem the biggest part. You just can’t let it get you down, I find there are good days, in between days, and really bad days. On the good days, go out and do things I love, on the in between days, do as much as I feel I can including some exercise, little housework and on the bad days do a little, take pain killers, curl up with a book and sleep and sleep and sleep so I’ll have more good days. I’m fortunate as I’m retired now, there were not as many good days when I worked. FMS is tough, but so is life in general, you have to grab the good parts even if its an hour here or an hour there. just don’t be to hard on yourself.
Hope you start feeling less anxious soon. Lots of hugs. Barb

6

Luckily, nothing severe with me, but I have random spasms/twitches in my fingers and sometimes my jaw and eyes.

My main issue with the fibro is less the pain, but more the fatigue and depression.

7


Hi Dawn,

These sound like some of the classic Fibromyalgia symptoms. It seems that the list of things we can experience is never-ending! Take a look at these posts for worksheets to take to your doctor. Most of the list is the same for both, but there are some unique items on each.

Fibromyalgia Symptom Checklist

A CHECKLIST FOR FIBROMYALGIA WITH SOME UNIQUE SYMPTOMS

Hugs!
Renie❤

8

Renie - These are terrific lists. Mind if I "borrow" them? I promise not to take personal credit.

Moving on - this is a list I've seen titled as "The MONSTER FM Symptoms Checklist"

FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS CHECKLIST

General Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Delayed reactions to physical exertion or stressful events
  • Other family members with fibromyalgia (genetic predisposition)
  • Sweats
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss
  • Cravings for carbohydrate and chocolate
  • Headaches & migraines
  • Vision changes, including rapidly worsening vision

Muscle & Tissue-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Sinus & Allergy-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Sleep-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Light and/or broken sleep pattern with unrefreshing sleep
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep starts (falling sensations)
  • Twitchy muscles at night
  • Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Reproductive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Menstrual problems
  • PMS (as an overlapping condition)
  • Loss of libido
  • Impotence

Abdominal & Digestive Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Bloating & nausea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Pelvic pain
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (as an overlapping condition)
  • Urinary frequency

Cognitive/Neurological Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Difficulty speaking known words, other language impairments (dysphasia)
  • Directional disorientation
  • Poor balance and coordination
  • Paresthesias in the upper limbs (tingling or burning sensations)
  • Loss of ability to distinguish some shades of colors
  • Short-term memory impairment
  • Confusion
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Staring into space before brain "kicks in"
  • Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

Sensory Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Emotional Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Panic attacks
  • Depression (as an overlapping condition)
  • Tendency to cry easily
  • Free-floating anxiety (not associated with situation or object)
  • Mood swings
  • Unaccountable irritability

Heart-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Mitral valve prolapse (as an overlapping condition)
  • Rapid, fluttery, irregular heartbeat
  • Pain that mimics heart attack, frequently from costochondritis (as an overlapping condition)

Skin, Hair & Nail-Related Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Pronounced nail ridges
  • Nails that curve under
  • Mottled skin
  • Bruising or scarring easily
  • Hair loss (temporary)
  • Tissue overgrowth (non-cancerous tumors called lipomas, ingrown hairs, heavy and splitting cuticles, adhesions)

Miscellaneous Fibromyalgia Symptoms

  • Hemorrhoids
  • Nose bleeds

Many of these fibromyalgia symptoms also can be caused by other ailments and this list isn't intended as a diagnostic tool. Knowing the full range of symptoms, however, can help you track them either to help your doctor reach a diagnosis or to help you identify triggers.

Some of the following are noted as overlapping conditions, which means they commonly occur with fibromyalgia but actually are conditions that need to be diagnosed and treated separately.

People with fibromyalgia can have any combination of the following symptoms, and to varying degrees of severity.

9

Hi Dawn, I have muscle spasms in my neck, shoulders, chest area, and horrible muscular cramping in my legs. Sometimes, it is so sevre, I cry, because I cannot get any relief. Other times, when it happens, I have to crawl from my bedroom to my dinning room to get my muscle relaxers and/or my pain pills Or sometimes, I have to take both, I'm in such misery. My doctor wanted me to get to the YMCA and get in that Arthritis Water class, I was doing it three times a week, and was doing fairly good. But, with work, a lot of family & financial stresses I've been lucky if I make to the class once a week. Everyone tells me to prioritize, if I want to be there at the YMCA I can make it happen. I own my own business, and you would think I could squeeze it in, but it is difficult. I wish you wellness.

10

Hi Dawn I have severe muscle spasms and cramping in my lower legs and sometimes cramping in my thighs. I never understood how bad cramps were when people used to say they had them now i should be going through menopause instead i have periods like a young girl.

11

Hi Dawn,

I deal with a lot of cramps. I find it interesting that others do get the abdominal cramps. I always associated them with the fact I have a severely kinked colon, but maybe its partily due to the fms. I also got a generic diagnosis of IBS but the doctors kinda act like they think its more like crohns even tho it doesn't quite match that either :S i've been prone to stomach infections off and on for years.

As for other cramps.. charlie horses, spasms, twitches, Mortons foot, and all sorts of strange cramping pain in places I didn't think ppl could feel them. Sometimes its like i did some sort of crazy activity and pulled all kinds of muscles and am cramped up from it. I hate the ones i get in my back and chest tho the most. They can quite literally stop me from being able to handle doing anything.

I find it sad how many symptoms i have from that Monster list posted.

12

Hi Dawn, I saw your comment on the Discussion and you were mentioning the horrible anxiety and now getting depressed. That fits me, and I don't know what to do. I'm on Cymbalta for the depression but it does not help as I am so depressed I don't want to even get dressed. The anxiety I've had for years and i take Xanax for it, but I am still very anxiious. So, even with the medication I get no relief. There is no one else to talk to, my dr. said that is all he can do for me. I feel like I'm in hell. Hugs, Tawnycat.

13

Yes, I have developed gastroparesis. My dr said it was probably due to complications of fibro. I have my knees give out. Now I have to use a cane to help me from falling. My sleep is interrupted. I also get neck, shoulder, and back spasms. My hips have developed osteo. I have a tremor in my right hand. I was dropping everything until I went to my neuro. I have also developed a skin disease with no known cause or cure. It looks like I have been burned all over. It scares a lot of people. I blame it on the fibro also. My migraines are so bad, I qualify for Botox injections every 3 months. I still have 3 or 4 days in a row of migraines, but it is not as bad as it used to be. Weight? OMGosh. I have gained around 25 lbs. since being diagnosed. I guess I don’t exercise any more, eat right, or do anything around the house, or work! I sleep a lot during the day a times,esp. if I have done anything. I take tons of meds and have a job of going to drs. I think I will come back and add to this later.

14

Besides horrific pain from the top of my neck that meets the skull that shoots down through my neck, shoulder, arms and hands....I will just list everything else:

inner ear pressure

heart palpitations

vertigo/dizziness

loss of balance/coordination

blackouts

floaters in vision

popping of joints/tendons

nausea

tinnitus

brain fog

chills/sweats

extreme fatigue/exhaustion

dream like reality

sound/light sensitivity

twitching

irregular periods(7-8 weeks apart)

headaches

tmj

bunions

bruise very easily

I wonder if others have these symptoms too. I know they say Fibro isn't supposed to get worse...but over the past few years the symptoms are getting worse and worse. I feel like my whole body is arthritic and shrinking on me.

I hope this helps. I hope you feel better too.

15

I bruise easily, twitch, s/l sensitivity, fatigue, chills, brain fog, etc. the rest are under my post.

16

I have everything you listed (besides bunions) plus a few others like.. nasal drip everytime i eat, chilblains, extreme weight loss, seizures, vertigo, headaches are more like migraines, inner ear pressure includes extreme ear ache, and i get no help from any pain meds..i seem to be sensitive to prescription drugs as well.

Also does anyone else find that tinnitus is actually painful. Not just a noise..but a physical pain as well? I do feel fibro can get worse but I think it ties into how well we are able to manage it and whats going on in our lives.

17

Hi Christina, I’d never heard that Fibro isn’t supposed to get worse over time. In my case it started in one shoulder many years ago, however it didn’t stay there. In my case part of the problem was I never correlated some of he things that were happening, loss of balance, weak joints (knee), migraines, nausea, bowel problems, brain fog, tinnitus, aches and pains etc to Fibro I thought they were how everybody felt. I am actually shrinking, unfortunately only in height (1 1/4 inches) ,although I think it’s age. Is your Dr. Aware of all these problems, in some cases what you think are fibro symptoms because they are on the list can be related to something else. I was misdiagnosed for over 3 years, I did have fibro, but also had something that was life threatening and thanks to a great medical transplant team I’m still here. Not trying to scare you but it is important that you discuss everything with your doctor, and ensure it is fibro. Lots of hugs, and I hope you get some relief soon.

18

Christina, I don't have all of the symptoms you list but I do have many of them plus some not listed. Maybe it's time for me to dig up a list of many fibro symptoms so you and others like you can see how many symptoms of yours are also on the list.. However, like B2chi says, please check in with your doctor too, to be sure that you're not experiencing something other than fibro as well. In my case, I also had an ulcer from too many Ibuprofins. It came from trying to deal with the fibro pain but it wasn't directly related to fibro.

19

Thank you everyone for your replies. I have a long history of chronic headaches. Not daily as they were when I was younger. Migraines with aura too. Ive been told I have migraine syndrome and ocular migraine. Had some visual disturbances the other note that worried me a little but it went away without getting worse or weirder. I have a lot of nausea and what I’m guessing is IBS. The anxiety makes it worse. My WHOLE body gets cramps spasms twitches. Some very painful and some not at all. I was surprised that so many of you seem to have this too. I was told I have neuropathy in my feet which gives me burning pain. Docs not sure if its a separate issue from the fibrous. I did experience the fibro fog terrible fatigue pain and weakness pretty bad right before being diagnosed. I was treated with savella and neurotin and felt soooooo much better. But after 9 months I stoppped the meed cause of the worsening anxiety and depression and IBS symptoms. Not sure what road to take next.

20

Hi, I've had terrible anxiety for the last couple of years, and it's only getting worse. I'm on a double dose of Fluoxetine for depression but still have not been able to find anything to help me relax. The pain in my back neck and hips is only getting worse because of the tension and I've just had to resign from my job as I'm constantly injuring myself. I have spasms, burning, sometimes feel as though a bone is wanting to snap and all this brings on more tension and yes abdominal cramps. For the last couple of days I've felt as though I had a broken tailbone. I also get twitches in my fingers and arms, restless legs, can't sleep, can't think, basically feel like a lazy lump that just doesn't want to do anything.