Fibromyalgia Symptoms in Women and Men!

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What are fibromyalgia symptoms in women and men? Well, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a kind of chronic condition. It is one of common health problems affecting the muscles leading to disability. Unfortunately, the clearly answer for the exact cause of this chronic condition is still unknown. But some doctors believe that it may be closely related to a variety of factors working together. Read also some conditions or factors that may increase your risk of fibromyalgia, before continuing!

In general, fibromyalgia is not same as many types of rheumatic conditions (like polymyositis and rheumatoid arthritis). Though there is a chance for people with fibromyalgia to experience potentially disabling pain, but fortunately it does not cause deformity or body damage. Even no study that have found the serious complications that are generated by FMS! 

However, you should not underestimate the symptoms of fibromyalgia. If you in doubt on your condition, find help and see a doctor promptly for clearly diagnosis and best treatment.

How do doctors do a fibromyalgia diagnosis?

In fact, FMS is one of medical problems that often misdiagnosed. This is reasonable, because there is still no specific test for doctor to specifically diagnose fibromyalgia. 

Learning the medical history of patient and doing comprehensive physical exam are some common choices to make an accurate diagnosis. Furthermore, the similar symptoms in people with FMS may also be caused by other health problems.

To narrow the possibility diagnosis of other health conditions, some specific blood tests and other laboratory tests may be involved. These tests may include;

1. CBC (complete blood count) test.
2. Considering RF (rheumatoid factor).
3. Checking vitamin D, calcium, and prolactin level.
4. ANA (antinuclear antibodies) laboratory test.
5. Thyroid test -- the symptoms of FMS such as depression, muscle aches, weakness and fatigue also can be generated by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
6. Some tests to check the level of certain chemicals, such as glucose.
7. And so on! Ask a doctor for in-depth information!

Moreover to make a diagnosis, doctors usually also use a manual guideline of fibromyalgia characteristics that is released by the American College of Rheumatology.

Fibromyalgia symptoms in women and men

There are many symptoms that you may experience when you have FMS, but in many cases (both in women and men) pain, fatigue, stiffness, & tenderness of tendons, muscles, and joints without following detectable inflammation are usually some common signs.

Pain associated with FMS

In fact, pain is the most symptom or universal sign of fibromyalgia. A constant dull ache is the most relevance characteristic to describe pain associated with FMS. It is typically arising from muscles. Pain usually can occur in certain areas of the body if a firm pressure is applied. These areas are often known as ‘tender points’. And below is a helpful picture about these tender points.

Tender points of pain associated with fibromyalgia
Image credit © to MayoClinic

Fatigue

In people with fibromyalgia, having good quality of sleep is something that can be not easy - though most of them are reported having long periods of time in sleeping a day. Their sleep is sometimes or may be often disrupted by pain. This may be one of reasons why they are more likely to get fatigue easily. 

In fact, there is about 90 percent of patients with FMS complain about fatigue -- according to a published article on MedicineNet.

Furthermore, there is also a chance for patients to experience health problems associated with sleep, such as sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome.

Other symptoms

Other signs and symptoms that may occur include:

1. You may experience irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
2. The muscles are more likely to feel like they have been pulled or overworked without unclearly reason.
3. There is a chance for an individual with FMS to have depression or anxiety. Even over half of patients with FMS experience emotional or/and mental disturbances (such as forgetfulness and poor concentration). Since there is no specific procedure /test to diagnose fibromyalgia, it is sometimes misdiagnosed as depression.
4. You may become more sensitive to heat or/and cold.
5. People with fibromyalgia may also experience tingling /numbness in the feet /fingers, fibro fog (inability to concentrate), headaches (chronic headaches), abdominal pain, and dryness (particularly in eyes, nose, and mouth).

How to treat fibromyalgia?

There is no single formula of treatment to treat all symptoms of fibromyalgia. Sometimes each symptom may require a special treatment to improve. And unfortunately, there is no cure to completely treat fibromyalgia - this is one of reasons why it is often called as chronic condition.

In general - the combination of medications, appropriately exercise, stress education and education for patient to know more about the disease itself is one of the most effective options for fibromyalgia treatment.

Medications

Medications are usually intended to ease the pain and improve the quality of sleep. According to a published article on WebMD -- Savella, Cymbalta, and Lyrica are some approved drugs by the FDA for fibromyalgia treatment. Other drugs /medicines that may also be prescribed by doctor include:

1. NSAIDs (the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to treat pain associated with fibromyalgia.
2. Trycylic drugs and/or anti-seizure drugs! They may also be prescribed by your doctor to ease the pain caused by FMS.
3. Furthermore, sometimes antidepressant may also be used to relieve pain, sleep disorders, and particularly to treat depression. 

***Ask a doctor for more detailed information about these drugs!

Alternative treatments

Though there is no adequate scientifically evidence to confirm the effectiveness of alternative therapies to treat fibromyalgia, but they may work well for some patients to relieve the symptoms.

Therapeutic message is one of choices. It can be helpful to manipulate soft tissues and muscles in order to ease the deep muscle pain. Other advantages from this alternative therapy may include relieving pain of tense muscles, muscle spasms, and tender points.

Furthermore, moderately and appropriately intense aerobic exercise at least 2-3 times a week is also recommended by the American Pain Society! Chiropractic manipulation therapy, appropriately acupuncture and even hypnosis are also recommended by the American Pain Society.

To keep safe, it’s much better to discuss first with your doctor before taking any alternative therapy. For better result, your doctor usually also recommends relaxation therapies (such as deep breathing exercises and deep muscle relaxation) in order to help you manage your stress.

Tips: don’t forget to track and write down of your activities, events, signs, and mood changes of your FMS. This data can be helpful to take charge of your fibromyalgia -- it may be helpful for you to be aware of when your signs start, over time, and what factors that may be triggering these symptoms so thus you can prepare yourself better to cope with your fibromyalgia!

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Reference: MayoClinic, WebMD, and MedicineNet