The pain of fibromyalgia can make simple tasks hard. Even something like washing dishes may all of a sudden feel like too much. Sleeping is often a struggle, too.

Fibromyalgia causes physical pain. Fibromyalgia can often hamper the ability to work and engage in everyday activities, as well as compromise personal relationships, and affect a patient’s social life, too.

Getting relief from the pain of fibromyalgia isn’t easy. And support from friends, family, and the health care system is often lacking. Patients may feel like they must learn to live with the pain.

Patients with fibromyalgia often experience:

• Chronic widespread body pain in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, and legs
• Muscle tenderness, soreness, and flu-like aching
• Poor sleep, stiffness, and fatigue
• Dull pain in muscles, tendons, and ligaments

Fibromyalgia is painful. And its causes are still not fully known. Even though fibromyalgia can’t be detected through a blood test or an X-ray, your doctor can perform a “tender point” exam to make a diagnosis. It is important to see a doctor because many of its symptoms are similar to other conditions.