05/31/2026
‘Most Common Fibromyalgia Symptoms’
1. PAIN - in the muscle: often described as aching, burning, throbbing, gnawing, shooting, tingling. Almost always exacerbated by exercise, and may or may not be present at rest. Can be migratory and differing from day to day
2. FATIGUE - From feeling tired to feeling exhausted and requiring frequent rest periods during the day
3. SLEEP DISTURBANCE - not being able to fall asleep and or able to stay asleep. Unrefreshing sleep patterns, "feels like I haven't slept."
4. PARESTHESIA - numbness or tingling (non-dermatomal)
5. DEPRESSION - most often reactive as with chronic pain condition
6. ANXIETY - may include panic attacks
7. PERSONALITY CHANGES- usually a worsening of a previous tendency
8. MOOD SWINGS
9. SUBJECTIVE SWELLING OF EXTREMITIES - i.e. feels swollen but no one can find anything
10. HEADACHES - tension and/or migraine
11. COGNITIVE FUNCTION PROBLEMS: calculation difficulties, memory disturbances, spatial disorientation, difficulty with concentration, short term memory loss
12. FREQUENT UNUSUAL NIGHTMARES - or being unable to dream
13. DYSTONIA- stiff muscles due to involuntary contracture. Difficulty in moving tongue to speak
14. FREQUENTLY SAYING WRONG WORDS
15. BURNING SENSATIONS
16. LIGHT HEADEDNESS - "Fibro Fog,” feeling spaced out, cloudy thinking
17. MORNING STIFFNESS in muscles and joints
18. EASY BRUISING
19. MILD BUTTERFLY RASH - (LUPUS TYPE) May be due to photo sensitivity
20. NEUROGENIC INFLAMMATION - skin rashes, may cause severe itching
21. DISEQUILIBRIUM - Vertigo and dizziness
22. MUSCLE WEAKNESS - variable with no "objective" abnormality to formal testing
23. SCIATICA - like pain
24. PHOTOPHOBIA - Intolerance of bright lights
25. ALTERATIONS OF TASTE, SMELL and HEARING
26. LOW FREQUENCY, SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS
27. DECREASED PAINFUL SOUND THRESHOLD
28. TINNITUS - ringing in the ears
29. OCCASIONAL EXAGGERATED NYSTAGMUS- involuntary rapid movement of the eye ball
30. CHANGES IN VISUAL ACUITY- impaired function of the smooth muscle used for focus as well as skeletal muscles for tracking
31. INTOLERANCE OF ALCOHOL
32. ENHANCEMENT OF MEDICATION SIDE-EFFECTS
33. INTOLERANCE OF PREVIOUSLY TOLERATED MEDICATIONS
34. WEIGHT CHANGES - usually gained due to the lack of exercise through pain and/or antidepressants
35. RESTLESS LEGS - particularly before falling asleep
36. HEIGHTENED AWARENESS or HYPERVIGILANCE
37. POSSIBLE CARBOHYDRATE INTOLERANCE
38. SYMPTOMS OF IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (I.B.S.) - digestive disorders
39. HEARTBURN or GERD - secondary to I.B.S.
40. SUB-NORMAL BODY TEMPERATURE
41. NIGHT SWEATS - unrelated to menopause
42. SENSITIVE TO TEMPERATURE EXTREMES
43. HEART PALPITATIONS - flutters
44. BREATHING DIFFICULTIES - air hunger
45. HEART MURMUR - Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) appears to be more symptomatic in FM than normal
46. IMPOTENCE - reactive and occasionally
47. SEVERE PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME and DYSMENORRHEA (painful menstrual periods)
48. FREQUENT VAGINAL YEAST INFECTIONS
49. MUSCLE SPASMS - and twitching
50. NON-CARDIAC CHEST PAIN - which may simulate cardiac disorder (Costochondritis)
51. PELVIC PAIN - unspecific
52. ABDOMINAL WALL PAIN
53. DRY EYES AND MOUTH - Sicca Syndrome
54. TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER - usually due to abnormal muscle tone
55. RAYNAUD'S-like symptoms
56. CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME - possible related condition
57. HAIR LOSS - secondary to psychological stress from FM
58. VULVODYNIA - Vulvar discomfort or pain, burning, stinging and irritation
59. PLANTAR FASCITIS - or heel/foot pain. Exacerbated in FM
60. INTERSTITIAL CYSTITIS - frequency of urinary tract infections
Again, these are the most common symptoms of Fibromyalgia. There is the so called Monster List of over 200 symptoms associated with Fibromyalgia.
