Fibromyalgia feels like chronic, widespread pain throughout the body, often described as aching, burning, throbbing, soreness, stiffness, or gnawing. This pain can affect muscles and soft tissues in areas such as the arms, legs, back, neck, chest, abdomen, and buttocks, and it may be worse in the morning or evening or after activity
. In addition to pain, fibromyalgia often causes extreme fatigue that can range from mild tiredness to severe exhaustion, sometimes making it difficult to carry out daily activities. Sleep is frequently disrupted, leading to waking up feeling unrefreshed despite adequate sleep
. Many people with fibromyalgia experience cognitive difficulties known as "fibro fog," which includes trouble concentrating, thinking clearly, and memory problems. Other symptoms include muscle stiffness, tenderness to touch, numbness or tingling in limbs, increased sensitivity to light, noise, odors, and temperature, headaches, digestive issues like bloating or constipation, restless legs, and mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression
. Symptoms can fluctuate, sometimes improving or worsening depending on factors like stress, weather changes, or physical activity levels
. In summary, fibromyalgia feels like a combination of persistent widespread pain, profound fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and heightened sensitivity, all of which can significantly impact quality of life
