Early Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Spotting early symptoms of fibromyalgia won't move you closer to a cure, but it will help you take care of yourself and reduce the pain. Fibromyalgia is an illness defined by chronic pain and stiffness of the tendons, joints and muscles. There is normally no inflammation. It also causes fatigue and depression. While it is considered an arthritis-related condition, it is not a form of arthritis.

If you have symptoms of fibromyalgia, visit your health care professional to get checked out. While there is, at this time, no cure for fibromyalgia, it is manageable.

Early Fibromyalgia Symptoms:

• Muscle spasms or tightness of the muscles
• Leg cramps
• Moderate fatigue
• Decreased energy
• Insomnia
• Waking up tired, even though you slept well
• Stiffness in the morning or after sitting in one position for a long time
• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Bloating, abdominal pain, nausea and constipation alternating with diarrhea
• Tension headaches

There are other symptoms that may appear early or may appear as the disease progresses. These symptoms include:

• Jaw tenderness
• Facial tenderness
• Sensitivity to light
• Sensitivity to certain odors
• Sensitivity to noise
• Sensitivity to cold
• Sensitivity to certain foods, especially foods that never bothered you before
• Sensitivity to medications
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Numbness or tingling, particularly in the face, arms, hands, legs or feet
• Dizziness

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are generally not present 24 hours per day. Often you may have bouts of pain during a certain part of the day, or when the weather is cold, snowy or rainy.

Treatment Options
Treatment typically involves managing the symptoms. Fibromyalgia is often closely linked to sleep problems, so your doctor may prescribe a sleeping aid or an antidepressant to help you get more rest. Getting enough sleep, with or without medication, helps to raise the levels of dopamine in your blood, which acts as a natural painkiller.

Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, such as acetominaphin, can be taken daily to help reduce pain and stiffness. In extreme cases, prescription pain relievers or anti-seizure medications may be used to minimize pain.