200+ Symptoms of Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia is a complex and multifaceted condition, often presenting a wide range of symptoms that can vary significantly in their nature and severity among individuals. Current evidence supports the view that at least some fibromyalgia symptoms are associated with brain dysfunctions, imbalance in the immune system and central sensitization¹.

Here's a list of over 200 potential symptoms and comorbidities (different conditions that are present at the same time) associated with fibromyalgia. How many of them sound familiar to you? Keep in mind that not everyone with fibro will experience all of these symptoms, and not all symptoms are exclusive to fibromyalgia – so talk about them with your healthcare team to ensure there is not something else going on.

We'll say that again. Remember that this is a very long list and although most people with fibromyalgia will have a few of these, it's extremely unlikely that you will develop lots of them.

A lot of these conditions are associated with an out of balance system (such as nervous system dysregulation). That means that although the symptoms and associated conditions might seem unrelated, many of the things that can help your pain may also aid other conditions and symptoms.

Note that complexity is at the core of fibromyalgia so categorizing symptoms is tricky. Our bodies systems are so intricate and interconnected. Some symptoms in this list are separately diagnosed (but often co-occurring) conditions and other symptoms may seem totally contradictory (such as both high and low blood pressure). This can be explained by the individual nature of the way the condition is expressed, pre-existing health conditions and the impact of nervous system sensitivities.

And also, just to add a further complication, people living with fibromyalgia may be also managing a number of other conditions with or without medications. Research shows that symptoms increase with the number of medications a person takes, which means that some symptoms may be related to medication side effects².

General symptoms

Chest pains
Heart palpitations
Irregular heartbeat
High blood pressure
Low blood pressure
Dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)
Postnasal drip
Recurrent infections
Slow healing
Susceptibility to colds and flu

Pain symptoms

Widespread pain
Morning stiffness
Muscle twitching
Muscle knots, cramping, weakness
Reduced tolerance for exercise
Exercise-induced pain
Post-exertional malaise
Muscle stiffness
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tendinitis
Plantar fasciitis
Heel spurs
Bursitis

Neurological symptoms

Vertigo and dizziness
Headaches
Migraines
Syncope (fainting)
Seizures
Stroke-like symptoms
Transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes)
Restless legs syndrome
Tingling and numbness

Perception symptoms

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Cognitive difficulties
Memory problems
Difficulty concentrating
Disorientation
Feeling of being overwhelmed
Brain fog
Speech problems
Balance issues
Coordination problems

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Eye, ear & mouth symptoms

Dry eyes and mouth
Vision changes
Puffy eyes
Dark circles under eyes
Eye twitching
Conjunctivitis
Blepharitis (eyelid inflammation)
Keratitis (cornea inflammation)
Uveitis (uvea inflammation)
Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve)
Cataracts
Glaucoma
Macular degeneration
Retinal detachment
Vision loss
Teeth grinding (bruxism)
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Dental problems
Gum disease
Tooth decay
Mouth ulcers
Hearing loss

Emotional symptoms

Anxiety
Depression
Mood swings
Irritability
Panic attacks
Personality changes
Emotional sensitivity
Stress intolerance

Gastrointestinal symptoms

Digestive disorders
Abdominal pain
Bloating
Constipation
Diarrhea
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Nausea
Acid reflux
Weight changes
Weight gain
Weight loss
Appetite changes
Cravings for carbohydrates and sugar
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)
Insulin resistance
Nutritional deficiencies
Vitamin D deficiency
Anemia
Heartburn
Gastritis
Hemorrhoids

Urogenital symptoms

Frequent urination
Bladder spasms
Interstitial cystitis
Swelling and bloating
Water retention
Candida overgrowth
Urinary tract infections
Peptic ulcers
Gallbladder dysfunction
Liver enzyme elevations
Pancreatitis
Kidney stones
Bladder dysfunction
Prostatitis
Endometrial hyperplasia

Hormonal symptoms

Menstrual problems
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Painful periods
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Pelvic pain
Endometriosis
Adrenal fatigue
Hormonal imbalances
Low libido
Erectile dysfunction
Infertility

Respiratory symptoms

Dry or burning throat
Breathing difficulties
Voice changes
Laryngitis
Swollen lymph nodes
Chronic sinusitis
Recurrent bronchitis
Pneumonia
Asthma exacerbations
Swollen glands
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Acid reflux
Esophageal spasms
Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs)

Skin (dermal) symptoms

Skin sensitivities
Rashes
Itching
Bruising easily
Spider veins
Varicose veins
Mottled skin
Raynaud's phenomenon
Skin infections
Paresthesia (pins and needles)
Burning sensations
Electric shock sensations
Scalp tenderness
Seborrheic dermatitis
Eczema
Psoriasis
Hives (urticaria)
Skin ulcers
Pressure sores
Scar tissue pain
Keloid formation
Hyperpigmentation
Hypopigmentation
Stretch marks
Acne
Rosacea
Flushing
Edema (swelling)
Lymphedema

Hair & nail symptoms

Hair loss
Brittle nails
Nail ridges
Nail discoloration

Cognitive symptoms

Cognitive dysfunction
Brain fog
Impaired judgment
Difficulty making decisions
Difficulty planning or organizing
Difficulty with multitasking
Disorientation
Confusion
Hallucinations
Delirium
Derealization (feeling of unreality)
Depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself)
Obsessive-compulsive tendencies
Phobias
Paranoia
Suicidal thoughts
Self-harm tendencies
Agoraphobia (fear of leaving spaces that a person considers safe, such as their home)
Social anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder
Depression

Sleep & energy symptoms

Fatigue
Sleep disturbances
Sleep apnea
Insomnia
Hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness)
Sleep disturbances
Non-restorative sleep
Nightmares
Sleep paralysis

General sensitivities

Sensitivity to cold/heat
Sensitivity to odors/odor intolerance
Photophobia (sensitivity to light)
Photosensitivity (sensitivity to sunlight)
Phonophobia (sensitivity to sound)
Temperature regulation problems
Night sweats
Hot flashes
Allergies
Chemical sensitivities
Taste disturbances
Sensory overload
Hyperesthesia (increased sensitivity of the senses)
Hypoesthesia (reduced sensitivity of the senses)

You are not alone

After reading this list you may need to go and lie down! While it probably seems overwhelming, this is not an exhaustive list, and everyone experiences fibromyalgia differently. And remember again, you will probably only experience a fraction of these!

This is a pooled list and having fibromyalgia doesn’t mean you will experience everything on this list. If it’s all new to you, or even if you’ve had fibromyalgia for a while, it can be helpful and reassuring to keep track of your symptoms. If you experience any of these symptoms, discuss them with your healthcare team to ensure there is not another underlying condition that needs attention.

For more information, see some of our other blog on topics such as our everything you need to know about fibromyalgia guide, demystifying fibromyalgia, everything about getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis and what to do afterwards, rare symptoms and how to recover from fibro flare-ups.

If you want a little more support, the MoreGoodDays® program will help you understand your fibromyalgia symptoms, what makes them better or worse over time, and science-backed tools to get them under control so you can get back to living your life. Our multidisciplinary approach to pain management is built upon the gold standard for chronic pain and the latest in scientific research and medical information.

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