Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain throughout the body that involves tender points when pressure is applied to those areas. Fibromyalgia patients also suffer from extreme fatigue and sleeping difficulties. The symptoms may reflect co-existing disorders or they may be related to other diseases. Many fibromyalgia patients have more than one disorder, according to the Fibromyalgia Network.
Chronic Fatigue
Many chronic fatigue syndrome patients have similar symptoms to those with fibromyalgia, according to the Fibromyalgia Symptoms website. Chronic fatigue syndrome is usually diagnosed when a person has intense fatigue for six months of longer. People who have fibromyalgia may also have chronic fatigue. Fibromyalgia patients often suffer from fatigue after physical activity or mental pressure. The fatigue does not seem to get better even after long rest and sleep. The chronic fatigue has a negative impact on a patient's ability to work, help the family or do routine daily tasks.
Sleep Disorders
Fibromyalgia patients often wake up feeling exhausted after a seemingly long night's rest. They may not be able to reach a deep restorative stage of sleep. Restless leg syndrome may be present in fibromyalgia, according to the Fibromyalgia Network. The patient's legs, as well as the arms, are unable to stay still during sleep. Patients awake and feel as if they have been active through the night. People with fibromyalgia may also suffer from periodic limb movement, which also causes continual arousal movements during sleep and makes them feel as if they are trying to catch their balance.
Painful Conditions
The pain experienced with fibromyalgia may contribute to fatigue and may be related to other illnesses. Many fibromyalgia patients have painful co-existing conditions, according to the MayoClinic.com. Headaches and irritable bowel syndrome, which causes recurrent pain along with intestinal problems, are associated with the disease. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis occur with fibromyalgia in some patients. Fibromyalgia is a non-inflammatory arthritis affecting the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the body, according to Fibromyalgia Symptoms.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Fibromyalgia may overlap with myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic muscle pain that centers on sensitive points in the muscles, the Fibromyalgia Network notes. These are called trigger points that become painful when touched, spreading through the muscle, the MayoClinic.com explains. The muscle pain often worsens. The trigger points may be linked to pain in the head, jaw, neck, lower back, pelvic region, arms and legs.
Chemical Sensitivity
Fibromyalgia has also been linked to multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome. The disorder causes many symptoms because of exposure to unidentifiable chemical substances that are inhaled, touched or ingested, according to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Triggers may include alcohol and drugs, caffeine, food additives, carpet and furniture odors, fuel odors, perfume, pesticides and paint. The many symptoms include palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, trembling, numbness, coughing and mental difficulties.
