Rare Symptoms You Might Have with Fibromyalgia

I’ve charted my struggles with Fibromyalgia for years and it can be debilitating for months, then give you a reprieve just long enough to enjoy and it’s back again. I have been fortunate to not have any major issues in 2024 and it’s a good thing, I have had enough to deal with. I have Restless Leg Syndrome and it can make it so hard to fall asleep, it’s nerve-wracking. I also have Neuropathy in my feet which burn quite bad. I do caution against some of the medications listed below, they are used off-market meaning they’re being used for something they are not approved for, and this is the case with Cymbalta which is a mental illness medication, the side effects are high, and some are dangerous. Anytime you take medication read the Full Prescribing Instructions, not the cliff notes. I’ve taken Cymbalta for my Bipolar Disorder and it’s a rough drug. I was not able to take due to side effects. After spending thousands on medications, and not being able to take them, I now ask the doctor what medication they plan to prescribe and why. Then I ask them to hold off sending the script into the pharmacy while I read the Full Prescribing Information which is available on the manufacturer’s website. After I feel comfortable trying the medication, I have them call the pharmacy. It may sound like a lot of work but you get out what you put in on the front end. Gone are the days of blindly taking a medication a doctor prescribes. 

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Fibromyalgia can lead to unusual symptoms in some people. Knowing the range of symptoms this condition can produce may help with diagnosis and treatment.

Experts estimate that around 4 millionTrusted Source adults in the United States have fibromyalgia. This condition causes widespread pain, brain fog, and mood changes. However, there are many more, less common signs a person may experience.

Keep reading to learn what additional symptoms may be a sign of fibromyalgia, what causes them, and how they can be treated.

Can numbness and tingling be a sign of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia may cause numbness and tingling, also called paresthesia, in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, and feet) due to the nerves being overly sensitive or compressed. It may feel like a burning or prickling sensation.

Treatment for paresthesia is aimed at addressing the root cause. In this case, fibromyalgia can be treated with various medications that address nerve pain and inflammation

You may manage paresthesia at home with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and topical pain relievers.

Can restless leg syndrome be a sign of fibromyalgia?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) may cause uncomfortable feelings (itching, throbbing, etc.) in the legs and an urge to move the legs. RLS is associated with sleep disturbances, which can affect up to 99% of people with fibromyalgia.

RLS cannotTrusted Source be cured but is managed with things like iron supplements, antiseizure drugs, benzodiazepines, and — in severeTrusted Source cases — opioids. Drugs to increase dopamine (dopaminergic agents) may also help but cause side effects if they’re used long-term.

Managing RLS at home involves:

• avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming caffeine
• following good sleep hygiene habits
• getting regular exercise, including stretching
• taking warm baths
• using heating pads or ice packs

Hypersensitivity to touch, also called allodynia, may be caused by mixed messages from the neurons in the brain sending pain signals when there is no real pain. ResearchersTrusted Source explain that the true cause is mostly unknown.

Allodynia is treated individually. You may work with a pain clinic to get physical therapy, psychological support, and oral medications (like calcium channel antagonists, NSAIDs, etc.) for the pain. 

Without treatment, allodynia may get worseTrusted Source over time. You can manage it by working on stress relief and accepting that the pain may not go away completely.

Other uncommon signs and symptoms

Fibromyalgia affects each person in a different way. Beyond the usual symptoms, there are various other less common signs of fibromyalgia.

They may include:

• excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
• skin lumps (lipomas)
• muscle spasms (dystonia)
• face or jaw pain (like temporomandibular joint syndrome)
• digestive issues (like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, or bloating)

Treatment may be targeted at the specific symptom(s), or your doctor may suggest treatments for the fibromyalgia itself.

Medications include:

• duloxetine (Cymbalta)
• milnacipran (Savella)
• pregabalin (Lyrica)

When to talk to your doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms that concern you or interfere with your everyday life. Even if your symptoms are not related to fibromyalgia, they may be a sign of some other medical issue that needs attention.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia/rare-fibromyalgia-symptoms?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=fibro&utm_content=2024-07-16&utm_term=s:hl_n:fibro&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#other-symptoms