Posted by Heidi/Mermie A common complaint is that a ring no longer fits on a finger. Such swelling, however, is not equivalent to the joint inflammation of arthritis; rather, it is a localized anomaly of FMS whose cause is currently unknown. Chest Symptoms: Individuals with fibromyalgia who engage in activities involving continuous, forward body posture (i.e., typing, sitting at a desk, etc.) often have special problems with chest and upper body pain known as "thoracic pain and dysfunction". Often accompanying the pain is shallow breathing and postural problems. Patients may also develop a condition called "costochondralgia" which involves muscle pain where the ribs meet the chest bone. Such conditions may mimic heart disease and are therefore sometimes misdiagnosed. Note: Anyone experiencing chest pain should always consult a physician immediately. [Remember that persons with fibromyalgia can have other health problems!] Dysequilibrium: FMS patients may be troubled by light-headedness and/or balance problems which manifest themselves in a number of ways. Cognitive Disorders: Persons with FMS report a number of cognitive symptoms which tend to vary from day to day. These include difficulty concentrating, "spaciness," short-term memory lapses, and being overwhelmed easily. Many fibromyalgia patients refer to such symptoms as "fibro-fog". Leg Sensations: Some FMS patients may develop a neurological disorder known as "restless legs syndrome" (RLS) which involves an irresistible urge to move the legs particularly when at rest or when lying down. One recent study reported that 31% of the fibromyalgia patients studied had RLS.6 The syndrome may also involve periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) which can be very disruptive to both the patient and to his/her sleeping partner. Environmental Sensitivity: Hypersensitivity to light, noise, odors, and weather patterns is common and is usually explained as being a result of the hyper-vigilance seen in the nervous systems of patients with FMS. Allergic-like reactions to a variety of substances (i.e., medications, chemicals, food additives, pollutants, etc.) are common, and patients may also experience a form of non-allergic rhinitis consisting of nasal congestion/discharge and sinus pain, but in the absence of the immunologic reactions which the body experiences in allergic conditions. Depression and Anxiety: Although FMS patients are frequently misdiagnosed with depression or anxiety disorders ["it's all in your head"], research has repeatedly shown that fibromyalgia is not a form of depression or hypochondriasis. However, where depression or anxiety exist concomitant to fibromyalgia, their treatment is important as both can exacerbate FMS and interfere with successful symptom management. What Are Some Possible Causes Of Fibromyalgia ? Despite the fact that FM is a relatively common condition, and fibromyalgia symptoms affect millions, its diagnosis is often missed or misdiagnosed. Pain is FM's only identifiable factor and it does not cause swelling, heat or redness, nor does it produce traits visible in X-ray or blood tests. Researchers are working to determine whether FM is caused by a hyperactive brain/body response to basically normal stimuli (allodynia) or a magnified response to real pain stimuli (hyperalgesia). These triggering events probably don't cause FM, but rather, they may awaken a hidden genetic predisposition toward fibromyalgia symptoms. One theory is that some people may inherit an anomaly in the way their brains regulate and produce certain neurotransmitters, including substance P, which notifies the body of pain experiences and is found in abnormally high levels in FM patients. Perhaps compounding the problem, the neurotransmitter serotonin, which modifies the intensity of pain signals entering the brain, appears to be deficient. Another theory links fibromyalgia with a deep sleep abnormality and deficiency among its patients. Interestingly similar symptoms, such as muscle pain and tender points, can be produced in people who do not have FM simply by depriving them of deep sleep for a few days.
on 8/28/2007, 3:08 am
Additionally, fibromyalgia patients may experience a sensation of swelling, particularly in extremities, like fingers.
Today, because the syndrome mimics other soft tissue disorders, patients who have fibromyalgia symptoms but show no laboratory abnormality are often concluded to have fibromyalgia.
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