Fibromyalgia pain originates from several body regions. In addition, the pain is associated with other disorders. Even though there are many modes of pain, the pain experience in one location may aggravate the pain experience in another body region. This relationship may contribute to the characteristic widespread pain of fibromyalgia.
Muscle and Joint Aches
In people with fibromyalgia, muscle and joint aches occur all over the body, says the Environmental Illness Resource website. This widespread pain commonly inflicts the legs and lower back. The intensity of pain may vary. However, this type of fibromyalgia pain is substantially aggravated by mental or physical exertion.
Jaw Pain
Severe pain can occur in the facial muscles and jaw for fibromyalgia patients. Myofascial pain syndrome may be an underlying cause for this pain since some fibromyalgia trigger points are located in the head and neck, says the Environmental Illness Resource. However, not all jaw pain may be attributed to this syndrome. Jaw pain may result from temporomandibular joint syndrome--TMJ. TMJ and fibromyalgia pain have overlapping symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish one from the other.
Headache
Headaches are a common occurrence in people with fibromyalgia. The type of headache differs from those who are not fibromyalgia patients. Other fibromyalgia symptoms, such as myofascial pain, can exacerbate the headache and increasing the headache's severity.
Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain in people with fibromyalgia has symptoms similar to irritable bowel syndrome--IBS. According to MayoClinic.com, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms include cramping, flatulence, constipation, diarrhea, constipation and mucus in stool. Abdominal pain in patient with fibromyalgia may also be irritable bowel syndrome, since many patients are also diagnosed with IBS.
Nausea
Malaise commonly affects fibromyalgia patients. Nausea can be an indirect cause of these ill feelings. An association between other fibromyalgia symptoms and nausea is apparent, especially symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
Skin Sensitivity
Patients with fibromyalgia may also experience an unusual symptom in which skin becomes highly sensitive. This heightened skin sensitivity can cause pain even at the lightest touch. Painful sensations can occur over a small patch of skin or larger regions. The sensation can feel as though skin is crawling. The tender skin is called allodynia and caused by nervous system dysfunction.
Vaginal Pain
Fibromyalgia affects more women than men. Some women with fibromyalgia experience dysmenorrhea, which are painful menstrual cycles. In addition, women with fibromyalgia may experience painful sexual intercourse, called dyspareunia.
Tender Points
There are 18 tender points on the body. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, people with fibromyalgia experience pain originating from these spots. The myofascial pain initiates at these locations and then radiates outward, causing widespread pain.
