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Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis & Symptoms

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread pain, incapacitating fatigue and tender points in soft tissues and joints. Medical science has been unable to determine the exact cause of fibromyalgia, though studies have indicated that it tends to run in families. Although both women and men of all ages can suffer from fibromyalgia, the condition is most common in females between the ages of 30 and 50. Learn more about the diagnostic methods and the common symptoms of fibromyalgia.

  1. Diagnosis

    • There aren't any simple tests available that confirm or rule out fibromyalgia as the underlying cause of symptoms. Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult since the symptoms vary widely from day to day and from one person to the next. Physicians typically rely on patients' reports of symptoms and a tender points examination established by the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). A diagnosis of fibromyalgia requires tenderness in a minimum of 11 of the 18 tender points and widespread pain that has lasted for at least 3 months and is located in all four quadrants of the body.

    Pain

    • The primary symptom of fibromyalgia is long-lasting, profound pain. Although FM pain is commonly located in the back, shoulders and neck, it can migrate to all other parts of the body. Fibromyalgia pain has been described as shooting, stabbing, throbbing, burning, gnawing and aching. Some FM patients feel like they're coming down with the flu; others feel like they were hit by a bus. The pain tends to be worse in the morning, and can be aggravated by cold or damp weather, anxiety and stress, excessive physical activity, lack of restful sleep and physical inactivity.

    Tender Points

    • Fibromyalgia sufferers are sensitive in specific areas of the body known as tender points. These points are very sensitive when touched, but never show any signs of swelling, redness or heat. These tender points are located in the joints, muscles, tendons and other fibrous tissues, and are scattered over the back, neck, arms, chest, rib cage, buttocks, elbows, knees and hips (See Resources for tender point chart). Tender points are very small, about the size of a dime. The cause of these tender points is unknown.

    Fatigue

    • Fatigue is another common symptom with fibromyalgia patients. The level of fatigue ranges from mild to incapacitating, and many fibromyalgia sufferers are forced to quit their jobs, drop out of school and stop socializing because they are so exhausted. Some medical studies have determined that many FM patients have a sleep disorder that stops them from getting the deep, restful sleep necessary for healing muscles and soft tissues. This lack of restorative sleep causes stiffness and aches.

    Other Common Symptoms

    • There are a host of other symptoms common to FM sufferers. A majority of patients complain of "brain fog," or a mental haziness that affects concentration and short-term memory. Many sufferers are sensitive to bright lights and loud sounds. Most FM patients have overlapping medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic headaches, chemical and skin sensitivities, dizzy spells and arthritis. Depression and anxiety are also common symptoms due to the stress caused by constantly struggling with the chronic pain, fatigue and mental fog.

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