The wind is still playing with the trees but the sun shines! I was reading all the blogs as I do very day and..................

[Ginsing]

Sometimes I find this Fibro a malady so strange, where does it begin and where does it end? I read every ones symptons and I add them to my list rather like a shopping list I find myself working around ticking off the ones I suffer from. Now I am not saying I suffer from every thing that would be a lie but there are so many component s that ring a bell in my head. It actually helps to realize you are not alone and the pains you had yesterday were nothing more sinister than a Bit of a Flare!. Sinister or not the pain (I thought I had a high threshold) can be voracious and difficult to bear so we talk to each other which saves are partners from further weariness, they know how bad we are on any one day.

Have a good day today guys smile a lot, laugh too Gins

[Homer]

You to have a good day

Nicki xxxx

[Hidden]

Thanks Gins. I feel just the same when I read posts too! The wind has settled down here today so I might go out and try to put a few bulbs in the ground to cheer us all up in the spring. Have a good day yourself. Jane xxx

[JacqDobson]

Fibromyalgia Symptom’s Compilation

by The Fibro Friends’ Support Group January, 2004

An extensive list of symptoms compiled by the Fibromyalgia Friends' Support Group.

Let me preface this list by saying - although this list is long, not everyone will have all of these symptoms, but many of us will have most of these symptoms at one time or another. Although FMS has not been considered progressive, in the past, the symptoms can and often do become worse over time. It is also possible your symptoms will lessen with time.

Most importantly - your primary physician should check out any new or puzzling symptom. Do not just assume it is due to Fibro!

________________________________________

Physiological:

• Fatigue - physical and mental

• Pain - widespread

• Growing pains as a child

• Muscles - may experience weakness, spasms, tics, twitches, cramps, burning,

• Jumping, throbbing, tension, stiffness (especially in the morning or after prolonged idleness)

• Reduced range of motion

• Difficulty going up/down stairs

• Buckling knees

• Trigger finger/thumb

• Weak knees and ankles

• Feeling of swollen extremities

• Pain around joints

• Fluctuating blood pressure

• Overall weakness

• Tender points

• Weight gain/loss - appetite and metabolism may be too high or too low

• Exercise intolerance

• Paradoxical breathing (shallow breathing)

Paresthesia - tingling or numbness in extremities (hands/feet/fingers/arms and legs - may also be widespread)

Malaise - flu-like symptoms

Heart rate dysfunction (palpitations) Breast pain and tenderness Costochondritis (chest pain)

Chronic headaches/migraines - facial/jaw pain, impaired coordination - clumsiness, lack of hand/eye coordination, dropping things unexpectedly, staggered walk, bumping into things

Broken thermostats Night sweats

Fever (unexplained, low-grade)

Foot problems - Plantar Fasciitis, Mortons foot (also called FMS foot) - narrow heel, wide front, high arch. Foot/toe pain Tarsal Tunnel

Nails - no 1/2 moon, vertical ridges may develop in fingernails and toenails. Nails may split, and break off easily. If they do grow they may curve or curl under.

Hair - dry, brittle, hair loss, clogged hair follicles

Dental - unexplained tooth pain, excess tartar, grinding teeth

Sinus - stuffiness, dry mucous membranes, allergies

Dry eyes, nose, mouth, itchy mouth, and chronic dry cough

Ears - internal itching, tinnitus, hearing loss, pain, fluid build up, dizziness, vertigo

Gastrointestinal problems - esophageal reflux (heartburn), difficulty swallowing, choking, indigestion, nausea, gas (abdominal pain and cramps), constipation/diarrhoea, bloating

Dysmenorrhoea (painful menstruation) PMS Vulvodynia Yeast infections - internal or external Sexual dysfunction

Skin Problems - dry, itchy and raised patches on skin, rashes, bruise easily, scar easily (usually dark) sensitive skin, redness, mottling

Visual Disturbances - blurred vision, days when unable to focus, unexpected tearing of eyes, dark specks or drifting spots, loss of night vision, shaky vision, frequent changes in eyeglass prescription, creates problems when driving, lack of depth perception

Hypersensitivities - fluorescent lights (sound and flicker), bright lights, motion, sound, ultra-sensitive skin (allodynia), heat and/or cold, electromagnetic sensitivity, odours, (smell too much or too little), food, alcohol, medications, hyper-alertness (startle easily)

Personality Trait: Type A

Psychological: (these components may aggravate symptoms, and are usually the result of living with a chronic illness - not the cause.

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Mental Stress

• Panic Attacks

• Mood Swings

• Suicidal Ideation

Sleep Dysfunctions: Alpha-EEG anomaly (intrusion of waking brain-waves into sleeping brain-waves), non-restorative sleep, sleep apnea, insomnia, weird sleep patterns, trouble getting to sleep, frequent wakening, night-time jerking of limbs

• Cognitive dysfunctions:

• Fibro-fog (includes the following)

• Mental confusion states

• Loss of short-term memory

• Inability to concentrate

• Impaired thinking

• Memory blanks

• Absentmindedness

• Inability to recognize familiar surroundings

• Disorientation

• Easily distracted

• Inability to comprehend written, or spoken words

• Trouble with directions

• Slow processing of incoming messages

• Short attention span

• Fatigue type states (spaciness)

• Mental fatigue

• Decision making problems

• Trouble keeping track of conversations

• Trouble staying on, or completing tasks

• Easily overwhelmed

• Attention Deficit Disorder

• Acquired dyslexia (includes difficulty speaking known words as they often come out backwards, or all mixed up)

• Calculation difficulties

• Trouble with typing, or writing, which results in the same difficulties as spoken words.

Overlapping and/or Possible Related Conditions (similar symptoms): can occur with or without Fibromyalgia (fibro often mimics these conditions as well).

• Reactive Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)

• RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)

• IBS (Irritable Bowel/Irritable Bladder Syndromes)

• Mitral Valve Prolapse (heart valve dysfunction)

• Bruxism (grinding teeth)

• Costochondritis

• Lupus

• Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lyme Disease

• Gulf War Syndrome

• Interstitial Cystitis

• Sjogren's Disease

• CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)

• Raynaud's Disease (cold intolerance)

• Hypothyroidism

• MPS (Myofascial Pain Syndrome)

• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

• MCSS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome)

• PLMS (Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome)

• Polymyalgia

• TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)

• Sciatica

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Osteoarthritis

Hope this helps Gins

[Ginsing]

That is an extremely comprehensive list - a little frightening but thanks for bringing it forward. x gins