The major symptom of fibromyalgia is pain, with the specific locations described as “tender points.” These may be located in a variety of positions in the soft tissue including, but not limited to, the back of the neck, shoulders, lower back, hips, shins, elbows, and knees.
Typically the pain spreads out or migrates away from the tender points and waxes and wans during the day. Patients report waking up with pain alternately described as “gnawing,” “shooting,” or “burning.” During the day the sensations lessen, but return at night. In some cases, however, the pain is constant.
Almost all patients with fibromyalgia sleep poorly and also experience various digestive issues, cognitive problems with memory and clarity, numbness or tingling in the extremities, heart palpitations, mild to moderate depression, tension, and migraine headaches.