Problems Waking Up With Fibromyalgia

Although the cause of fibromyalgia has yet to be determined, the symptoms of the condition are vast in number. For many sufferers of fibromyalgia, living a normal life is extremely difficult and exhausting. Going to work, cooking meals and taking care of children are often met with pain and frustration. And, for many, the frustration begins first thing in the morning. Waking up with fibromyalgia can often leave you feeling like you haven't slept a wink.

Background

• According to the National Fibromyalgia Assocation, "fibromyalgia is a common and complex chronic pain disorder that affects people physically, mentally and socially." Technically speaking, fibromyalgia has been classified as a syndrome rather than a disease, because it cannot be related to any identifiable cause. Unfortunately for the many sufferers of fibromyalgia, no permanent cure is yet available. The symptoms of the syndrome are unpredictable, affecting its victims at any time of the day or night.

Common Symptoms

• Fibromyalgia produces widespread pain throughout the body. It can affect any part of the body, with various degrees of intensity, ranging from sharp stabbing pains to deep muscular aches. Pain is often worse in the morning, although it can occur at any time throughout the day. Many sufferers also experience difficulties with sleep, resulting in excessive fatigue throughout the day. Additional symptoms might include chronic headaches, irritable bowel and bladder, restless leg syndrome, impaired memory, skin sensitivities, anxiety and depression, among others.

Exhaustion

• Many people suffering from fibromyalgia complain of excessive fatigue and exhaustion at all times of the day. Even after a full night's rest, they often feel completely exhausted and lack the energy to get out of bed. This fatigue often leads to problems in all aspects of life, as the fatigue drains the body's stamina and energy. It becomes hard to concentrate and think clearly, causing problems at home, work or school.

Lack of Deep Sleep

• Fibromyalgia research has shown that patients suffering from the syndrome rarely reach the deep sleep part of the sleep cycle. Instead, once they reach this stage of sleep, their brain starts to experience constant bursts of brain activity. This brain activity prevents them from reaching the deep, restorative sleep that the body requires to function normally. So even if the person sleeps for eight or nine hours, they will feel as though they have hardly slept at all.

Morning Stiffness

• A large portion of fibromyalgia sufferers also experience morning stiffness, a widespread stiffness throughout the body upon waking. It is often explained as an unusual tightness in the muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments throughout the body. It most often affects the back and the extremities, such as the hands, feet, arms and legs. While morning stiffness usually only lasts for about 30 minutes, it can last for several hours. The stiffness makes it difficult to move normally, which often makes it difficult just to get out of bed in the morning.