Not all diseases have visible symptoms. Many diseases hide in the body until they are ready to wreak havoc in places that can’t be seen without special equipment. One disease that falls into this category is fibromyalgia. This disease affects a growing number of women around the world, has no known cure, and the cause isn’t yet fully understood. So diagnosis is challenging. New advancements are being made every day, but the key lies in detection of the disease. Here are some invisible symptoms of fibromyalgia that might not be obvious to others.
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Fatigue
Have you been feeling tired? Not just any sort of tired, but weak and depleted? Fibromyalgia is known for causing a sort of extreme fatigue to come over people. You may feel the need to sleep and still not feel rested even after multiple naps. You may feel like you haven’t slept at all when you get up in the morning. Researchers believe that this could be due to other factors such as insomnia and diet.
Sleep Problems
There is documented evidence of sleep problems for those with fibromyalgia. Sleep can be interrupted because of brain activity, causing less time in deep sleep. Also, you could have problems sleeping due to joint pain or stiffness. It may be hard to get comfortable and relax enough to sleep.
You can read more about sleep problems in the blog post, 7 Rules to Reduce Stress and Improve Sleep.
Joint Stiffness
One of the most common symptoms of fibromyalgia is joint stiffness. This is caused by sudden inflammation that affects the joints. A person suffering from this will most likely feel as though they’re suffering from some type of arthritis.
Some anti-inflammatory medications can be taken to get relief from the stiffening of the joints. Herbs or essential oils can also help. You should consult a doctor before adding any sort of medication.
You can read more about fibromyalgia pain in the blog post, How to Cope with Fibromyalgia Pain.
Numbness in Limbs
Aside from stiffness in the limbs, there is also the chance that you will experience numbness, or a tingling sensation, in your limbs. Doctors are still having issues with discovering exactly why this happens, but they believe that spasms in muscles near numb areas may be pressing on nerves.
Since this is still not understood, many doctors might not know it is a symptom of fibromyalgia. They might attribute the numbness to something else. I’ve experienced numbness (as well as spasming) in my arms and legs. I’ve had MRIs that come back normal.
Anxiety and/or Depression
Although unpleasant, it is normal to experience feelings of depression and/or anxiety when facing a situation of uncertainty with your health. That is why education is an important part of the coping process. Arming yourself with information can help you to live a more productive and happy life.
Cognitive Problems
Fibro fog. You may have heard the term before. It’s real. I know; I suffer from it. You can’t remember things like you used to. It’s there somewhere, but you can’t recall a word. You can’t process information. You forget things easily. Or you just feel like you are in a bubble. Of all of the symptoms, this can be one of the most frustrating.
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Final Thoughts
These are just a few of the invisible symptoms of fibromyalgia. There is help out there. You don’t need to suffer in silence. Ask for help from your primary care physician. Or seek help from a chiropractor, naturopath, or another specialist.
There is no cure for fibromyalgia at this time. But there are ways to deal with your symptoms. Do the research and take control of your health. I know that’s what I’ve had to do.
