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Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can make it hard for you to function. The common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:
Muscle and skeletal pain that can change location and intensity from day to day
Many tender places on the body that are painful when pressed lightly

This is not a complete list. You may have other symptoms. You should discuss all of your symptoms with a healthcare provider. Only a healthcare provider can diagnose fibromyalgia.
What Causes Fibromyalgia?

No one knows exactly what causes fibromyalgia. Some possible triggers may include:
A physically traumatic or stressful event
An emotionally stressful event
An illness or an immune disorder
Why Do I Hurt?

Some researchers have come to believe that fibromyalgia may be linked to abnormal levels of naturally occurring substances (such as substance P, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine) in the brain, spinal cord and body that help let you know when you are experiencing pain. Abnormal levels of these substances may increase the sensitivity of your nervous system so that normally non-painful stimuli become painful. It's as if the "volume control" for pain were set too high.
Is Fibromyalgia Like Arthritis?

Some people think that fibromyalgia is a form of arthritis, but it is not. Arthritis causes swelling in the joints that may cause pain. Fibromyalgia is not characterized by pain or swelling in the joints. Instead, it is characterized by pain in the soft tissues around the joints and in muscles and skin throughout the body. Because there are similarities, many fibromyalgia patients are treated by rheumatologists—physicians who specialize in arthritis and other joint conditions.