What is a common symptom of fibromyalgia besides pain?

Sleep disturbances are a common symptom associated with fibromyalgia, and they can significantly impact the quality of life for individuals suffering from this condition. People with fibromyalgia frequently experience insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and other sleep-related issues. This lack of restorative sleep can exacerbate fatigue and pain, leading to a cycle of worsening symptoms.

In fibromyalgia, the body’s perception of pain is altered, and this can often disrupt normal sleep patterns. Many patients report waking up feeling unrefreshed, irrespective of the total hours they spend in bed. The underlying mechanisms are linked to the condition’s impact on the central nervous system, which affects how the body processes pain and manages sleep cycles.

While dizziness, vision changes, and heart palpitations may occur in some patients with fibromyalgia or can be related to other conditions, they are not as universally recognized or common symptoms as sleep disturbances. The prominence of sleep issues in fibromyalgia highlights the importance of addressing sleep hygiene and treatment of sleep disorders in managing the overall symptomatology of the condition.