Did You Know? Five Odd Symptoms Caused by Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia can be such a mysterious illness. Of course, those of us who live with this illness know that pain is an undeniable symptom of Fibromyalgia. Did you know that there is a wide variety of other symptoms that could be caused by Fibromyalgia as well?

For some of us, these odd symptoms of Fibromyalgia take the form of cognitive issues. For others, gastrointestinal issues can be present. In this article, we are going to go over a few common symptoms you may be experiencing but probably don’t realize are caused by Fibromyalgia.

I was officially diagnosed with FIbromyalgia in 2015. At the time I was suffering from horrible migraines that would cause huge dark purple spots in my vision. I was unable to move from the pain I was experiencing in my arms and upper spine. Nearly every day I woke us nauseous and dizzy.

These symptoms ultimately forced me to leave my job as an EMT because let’s face it, who wants an ambulance driver that can’t see the road in front of them? I loved that job more than any I’ve ever had and truly felt as though I had found my calling. However, I had to put the patients’ safety at the forefront and step down from my position.

At the time, I wasn’t aware that all of these symptoms were caused by Fibromyalgia. I had been put through a battery of tests and told that it was everything from a brain tumor to Lupus. A few doctors were convinced that I was just making it all up. The jury is still out on Lupus being a possibility. Some doctors say yes absolutely so. Others say no way.

All of this inconsistency has led me to do a ton of research of my own about symptoms of Fibromyalgia and the problems they can cause for those who have it. This research has lead to a number of interesting discoveries. Several symptoms caused by Fibromyalgia would never have come to mind for me in regards to a condition usually just thought of as “nerve pain”.

Related: Our Favorite Apps to Learn Meditation for Chronic Pain

Cognitive Issues from Fibromyalgia

I’m sure many have heard of “fibro fog” that can cause those living with Fibromyalgia to be a little forgetful in conversations. However, were you aware that these hazy thoughts can go much further than forgetting your words from time to time? For some, this can mean getting lost while driving in familiar locations, forgetting the names of loved ones, and even being unable to concentrate or focus on daily tasks.

Common Symptoms Include:

• long-term memory loss
• short-term memory loss
• depression
• anxiety
• problems with working memory
• confusion
• dysphasia (difficulty speaking known words)
• directional disorientation
• mood swings
• decreased libido
• increased sensory response
• clumsiness

Related: Don’t Let Depression Sneak Up on You (Tips for Checking Your Mood)

Gastrointestinal Issues from Fibromyalgia

So many of us who live with Fibromyalgia would never guess that our stomach issues may be caused by a condition we are commonly told affects our nerves. In fact, things like IBS-D, stomach upset, and nausea can very well be symptoms of Fibromyalgia as it is affecting the nerves of our digestive tract as well as those commonly thought of in our extremities.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Bloating
• nausea and vomiting
• unexplained weight gain
• unexplained weight loss

Related: Colorable Mandalas for Stress Relief on a Rough Day

Reproductive Issues from Fibromyalgia

Think your periods are a little worse since being diagnosed with Fibromyalgia? It very well could be a thing. Studies have shown that issues such as worsening PMS, abdominal cramping, and even outright pelvic pain can be caused by Fibromyalgia.

Common Symptoms Include:

• dysmenorrhea
• abdominal cramps
• pelvic pain
• bloating
• painful, tender breasts
• hemorrhoids
• urinary urgency or frequency
• bladder pain

Related: More than Motor: A Look at the Mental Side of Parkinson’s Disease

Cardiac Issues from Fibromyalgia

Sometimes the symptoms of Fibromyalgia can cause a condition called costochondritis ( a pain in the little bits of cartilage between the ribs) that can mimic chest pain making us think we may have something cardiac going on. Other times, however, Fibromyalgia can cause true cardiac issues.

Common Symptoms Include:

• arrhythmias
• P.O.T.S. ( postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome)
• mitral valve prolapse

Constitutional Issues from Fibromyalgia

You know those days where you just feel downright awful? Perhaps you have fatigue that refuses to let you get anything done apart from taking up space on the couch. Other days you could swear you are getting sick because of an overall feeling of malaise. These too can commonly be symptoms of Fibromyalgia.

Common Symptoms Include:

• Coughing
• Swelling
• Earaches
• Fatigue
• Headaches ( tension, migraine)
• Insomnia
• Poor Sleep Patterns
• Nosebleeds
• Post-Nasal Drip
• Sore Throat
• Tinnitus
• Vision Changes

For more stories on life with chronic illness, mental health issues, or parenting a child with special needs visit us at www.ghastlygirl.com

Originally published at www.ghastlygirl.com on August 1, 2018.