The possible symptoms of Fibromyalgia are very wide and varied and no two sufferers will have exactly the same problems. However, many have a majority of the common symptoms.

Chronic widespread pain is usually the primary symptom of Fibromyalgia. This can be aches, as if you have the flu or have run a long race; it can feel like joint pain, as if you have arthritis; it can be burning pain, feeling like someone is pouring acid through your body; or it can be shooting pain, as if you are being stabbed with large needles.

Fibromyalgia patients are also hypersensitive to pain: they feel pain from stimuli that should not be painful. Even the lightest touch can be painful; a hug can be excruciating. And the pain from something as simple as knocking your leg on a desk not only feels far worse than it should do, but can carry on being painful for far longer than normal.

Stiffness is often a problem people with Fibromyalgia have and this can cause issues with mobility, as well as leading to more pain. People who stay in one position for extended periods, for example whilst sitting at a desk, often find that their stiffness worsens.

Chronic fatigue is common with Fibromyalgia and this is often linked with the non-restorative sleep that is typical of Fibromyalgia. With this non-restorative sleep, a Fibromyalgia sufferer’s brain tends to wake them up slightly every time they get into the deep sleep that is needed for physical rejuvenation. This can lead to more fatigue, more pain and other symptoms. The fatigue of Fibromyalgia is not like being a bit tired all the time: it can hit suddenly, leaving a Fibro sufferer almost unable to stand; it can be overwhelming, making it impossible to do anything at all; you can feel so tired that it seems impossible to even lift your head.