Although men and children can suffer and show the early symptoms of fibromyalgia, the disorder is most common among women. Eighty to ninety percent of those affected are women, and most are diagnosed sometime during middle age. You are more likely to develop fibromyalgia if you have a close relative with the disorder.
The Early Symptoms of Fibromyalgia?
One of the reasons that fibromyalgia is so difficult to diagnose is that it mimics so many symptoms of other diseases and disorders. It can parallel them to such an extent that it’s difficult to acquire a diagnosis without undertaking medical tests to rule out other conditions.
Generalized Pain
Pain may occur anywhere over the entire body, making it difficult for medical professionals to diagnose the underlying cause. Especially vulnerable to pain are tender areas of the body such as the legs, arms, hips, neck and shoulders. Severe pain may occur when pressure is put on these points, much like pressing on a deep bruise.
Mental and Emotional Effects
Cognitive problems (also called “fibro fog”) may occur with those suffering from fibromyalgia. Many sufferers of fibromyalgia become depressed or suffer severe anxiety as performing every day activities becomes increasingly difficult.
Headaches, restless leg syndrome and numbness of the hands and feet are also common symptoms.
Pain and Fatigue
Chronic pain and extreme fatigue are the most common complaints of fibromyalgia sufferers. Muscle spasms often accompany the fatigue and pain so that sleep or engaging in any activity becomes a major problem.
This can lead to sleep deprivation and inability to concentrate or perform day to day chores or engage socially with others.
Compromised Immune System
Over time, the combination of physical and mental symptoms can wear the patient down, leading to emotional issues such as depression.
The chronic nature of the condition can also have a negative impact on the immune system. It can render the body less able to defend itself against environmental effects.
This in turn means increased susceptibility to things like cold and flu viruses. It can also cause those conditions to last a lot longer. Also, the pain, discomfort, and feelings of lethargy of subsequent infections are more strongly experienced.
Sensitivity to a Wide Range of Stimuli
Sensitivity to touch is also a major complaint of those with the disorder. Even a light blanket might feel like a heavy weight on top of you. A layman’s summary might describe fibromyalgia as causing hypersensitivity to most areas of existence. For the sufferer, this translates to unreasonable and persistent feelings of pain and discomfort.
The early symptoms of fibromyalgia are not always diagnosed or recognized as fibromyalgia. Depression, pain, exhaustion, memory lapses etc. are common, especially in women over 50. Take into consideration all the early symptoms of fibromyalgia, and then insist upon a test if there is a remote possibility. Your doctor can perform a test involving the touching of 18 ‘tender points’ throughout your body.
Thrive! OK? 
Hi Robin, I read your site, I think it is for the benefit of all people,My wife suffers from fibromyalgia and i can see that it is a very harsh illness.
I am intrigued to see that one of the side effects is affectability to clamor, light and temperature changes. I didn’t know about this.
That must imply that regular changes are a troublesome time for sufferers.
I am sorry to hear about your wife, Humayun. It must be frustrating at times for you also, not being able to help at times. It is a harsh illness with many variables causing pain and suffering. Fibromyalgia is being studied in greater measure these days, and hopefully, greater relief for sufferers.
Your post has really struck a chord in me, I have had these symptoms for the last three years and it all started in my shoulder for which I received physiotherapy but then it spread to other joints. Along side this I have been experiencing all the symptoms mentioned in your post, I put it all down to the menopause and just dismissed it but thanks to you highlighting Fibromyalgia will start to follow it all up.
I’m all about embracing middle age a privilege denied to so many.
On the one hand, I am glad the article was of help to you. On the other, sad that you find yourself facing the possibilities of being diagnosed with fibromyalgia. There was a huge response to the article, which tells me there are many out there in the same place. I will keep treatments, news etc. up to date. Don’t forget to sign up for new additions to the site OK? Take care June!
Very informative article on fibromyalgia. The symptoms are vague and a diagnosis is difficult but it is a debilitating disease which causes immense discomfort to the sufferer, both physically and emotionally. Its true that there is no cure but it can be managed with the right care which includes exercise and medications.
Thanks so much for your kind words about the article,Tushar!
Hey Robin, I hear about fibromyalgia before but I didn’t go research more details about it. I am glad to read your article today and indeed the information is valuable.
Perhaps I can share this to my family and ask them to try out the hummingbird by vital motion recommended by you.
I truly believe your article will beneficial to a lot of people out there. Good job.
Thanks Maxx, The Hummingbird is getting good reviews and from what I can see, fibromyalgia sufferers can use any relief they can find. It’s always good to share the good things we find, thanks so much!
Hi Robin
I am sure that a lot of women will find your website very helpful. You are showing a lot of symptoms that I sometimes hear some of the older women in my family talk or complain about. I know that some of them would love this kind of information.
Keep up the good work.
Pelesio
Thanks Pelesio! Make sure to let them know about the site!
I suffered from fibromyalgia for many years, with varying degrees of severity. I also have chronic IBS. Interestingly, the more I have worked with my diet to help the IBS, the more the symptoms of my fibromyalgia have improved. I think there is a definite digestive connection. I found the biggest improvement when I cut out dairy, and even more when I went vegan. Mind you I still have to be very careful of things like fat and refined sugar. I used to think that anyone would be willing to change their diet if they got sick enough, but I… Read more »
Hi Stella, Thank you for commenting and I have talked about willingness to make the choices a number of times in my articles. It is something that affects us all at times, seeing the right path and choosing the other. It’s the human condition I’m afraid. “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak!” (Matthew 26:41) I am so glad that your conditions have improved. It looks as though you are sharing your success, and have learned that the decision to implement the life-changing methods belongs to the hearer, and you must let it go. It is a tough… Read more »
Thanks for the very informative article.
Reading it strengthened my resolve even more to take good care of my health especially since I’m over 50 now. Years ago, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, an auto-immune disease that causes me to have inflamed and painful joints when it flares up. Do you think this would make me more susceptible to fibromyalgia?
Hi Arlissa, I am sorry about your diagnosis. Studies show that fibromyalgia is found together with RA in 15-17% of cases. Fibromyalgia is not associated with inflamed and painful joints as with RA, but it is considered a rheumatic condition. You can read a bit more about the association between rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia >>>HERE
Hello
Very informative article on Fibromyalgia, there are more men with these symptoms today than in the past. I wonder if men just was not going for medical treatment for their symptoms and that is why more women is known to have these symptoms than men?
How does one really cope well with such a mysterious disease, what about your diet , can that help ease any of these symptoms?
Hey Jeffrey! (I named my 1st son Jeffrey – did you know it means peaceful?) Anyway, yes. Over 90% of all fibromyalgia cases are women. A little bit of it has to do with men not going to the doctor for ‘minor pains and discomfort’, and some of it has to do with misdiagnosis because fibromyalgia is not associated with men. Testosterone seems to be a big reason for the male/female discrepancy, as it is a strong pain killer in the male body. Estrogen levels fluctuate in women, which seems to have a major impact in women with fibromyalgia.
Hi Robin,
I found your site to be well researched and presented.
As a massage therapist, many years ago, I began treating women when fibromyalgia was first diagnosed, and yes, even the slightest of touch was unbearable to some. I used aromatherapy and essential oils, and was able to deaden the pain quite a bit, however.
I am glad there is a new treatment out there in the form of Hummingbird, and that people are getting relief from it.
Keep giving women the health advice they need to know, and they are very thankful for it.
Pat
Het Pat! Thanks for commenting and letting me know about the essential oils. I’ve been curious about them for a while, and this may be the catalyst to explore. Any recommendations? I’d love to hear. Thanks again!
Fibromyalgia is a horrible condition to suffer from. I have a client that has it and it seems like she is always in some kind of pain. She still works full time and she does find that exercise helps some. I will tell her about the new treatment. Hopefully it will give her some relief. Thanks!
Thanks Patricia, for stopping by and commenting also. I have learned so much researching this horrible disease; and hopefully some will find relief by implementing the info I shared. The Hummingbird has great reviews and I hope some of the readers will have one to add. I talked personally with the company and they had great things to say about the device. It was invented out of need, as most inventions are. Thanks again!
I have a fear of developing Fibromyalgia. I’ve known a few ladies who suffer from it and it seems like they never get any relief! I’m glad to know that there are new treatments for it. I was wondering if you know of any other contributing factors that may lead to fibromyalgia? Is obesity connected?
Ashley
Hi Ashley and welcome to the site! The link between obesity and pain is strong. According to Akiko Okifjui, PhD, a researcher in the Pain Management Center at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, “Research shows obesity increases symptom severity and pain sensitivity in almost all chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.” It has also been proven that weight loss and exercise can reduce symptom severity in people with fibromyalgia. Obesity has not been proven to be a cause of FM. Stress, trauma, hormonal disturbances,and genetics are some of the main theories, but a combination of some… Read more »
Hi, Robin. I heard and read about fibromyalgia few times because one woman had it. She had more problems but the fibromyalgia was a main issue for her. She was overweight, really heavy one. She liked sugary snacks. For me was difficult watch how she suffers from pain in joints and all over in her body. I read one newsletter from doctor, where she told that the yeast infection can be the trigger for this disease. The lack of magnesium can make people sensitive too. I guess that it is a complex issue. Early symptoms can fit to other diagnosis,… Read more »
Hi Nemira, I’m sorry you’ve had to watch someone suffer with Fibromyalgia. Yes, the symptoms are very common to other diseases, and very hard to diagnose as FM. it has long been associated with arthritis (also incurable). Thanks for commenting Nemira.
Great informative article.
I have a few questions… You say one is more likely to develop fibromyalgia if a relative has had it. Does this indicate it’s hereditary? I’m also curious to know if diet and lifestyle play any role? I know a few people ho have been given this diagnosis… Thanks for your response in advance.
The National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association states, “Studies show that genetic factors may predispose individuals to a genetic susceptibility to FM. For some, the onset of FM is slow; however, in a large percentage of people the onset is triggered by an illness or injury that causes trauma to the body. These events may act to incite an undetected physiological problem already present.” Although there is a fairly high percentage of family-related fibromyalgia, it is still considered theory that it is genetic. As far as diet and lifestyle, they play a big part in any condition in any person.… Read more »
Fibromyalgia sounds pretty scary. It doesn’t only involve pain over the body. It also involves mental and physical fatigue. I think I’ve heard of a few people that have such a problem. One of those people isprobably my mother. She complains of being tired all the time and she gets these random aches and pains that cannot be explained. She seems to also have a bit of a memory problem. As she’s very sensitive for anything touching the bottom of her foot. It can be as small a tiny little sesame seed and she will actually complain about it .… Read more »
She certainly seems to have many of the symptoms, and as I said in the article, there is a test her doctor could administer to make sure. It involves palpation of 18 (9 specific pairs) ‘tender points’ on the body. The results of that test, together with further exploration of known symptoms will help to confirm a diagnosis. Thanks for visiting and please say hi to your mom 🙂
Greetings Robin! I’ll be turning 50 this September (EEEKK!), so I was very interested in reading about fibromyalgia. I really appreciate how you explained everything in “layman’s” terms. You mentioned that there’s no cure at the moment, I’d be curious to know if there are any preventive measures women can take to ward off this disease. Of course, I had to click on the link for the Hummingbird…I hope I never have to use it, but it’s good to know that there is something available that can help to alleviate the pain, and I would gladly share this with others… Read more »
Hey Veronica! Nice to have you on the site, and thanks so much for enjoying the part about the hummingbird. I talked with the company for quite a while before I promoted the product, and they were excited about my site and the ‘hummingbird’ too. Don’t worry about turning 50. It’s better than the alternative 🙂 There are definitely preventative measures to take to ward off Fibromyalgia, and they are the same measures we should take for general good health. Learn to manage stress better since stress is thought to be one trigger for the condition. Maintain a healthy weight,… Read more »
My best friends mother suffers from fibromyalgia and i can see that it is a very harsh illness.
I am interested to see that one of the symptoms is sensitivity to noise, light and temperature changes. I wasn’t aware of this.
That must mean that seasonal changes are a difficult time for sufferers.
Hey Keith, Seasonal changes are hard on fibromyalgia sufferers as you deduced. There are a lot of variables to the condition, and no known cure. It would seem that just as comfort was found for one season’s elements, another one comes along with a whole new set. Thanks for commenting…