how do i know if i have fibromyalgia

To know if you have fibromyalgia, the main thing to look for is widespread pain that has lasted for at least three months. This pain often feels like a constant dull ache and affects both sides of your body, above and below the waist, including areas like the shoulders, arms, legs, hips, neck, back, chest, or abdomen. Fibromyalgia can also cause extreme sensitivity to pain, where even light touches may hurt more than usual. Other key symptoms include persistent fatigue that doesn't improve with rest, sleep problems, and cognitive difficulties often called "fibro fog," which affects memory and concentration. Additional symptoms may involve stiffness, headaches, numbness or tingling in limbs, digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, depression, and anxiety. Diagnosis typically involves a detailed medical history and physical examination, checking for pain in specific body regions and ruling out other conditions that might cause similar symptoms. There are no specific lab tests for fibromyalgia, but your doctor may order blood tests or imaging to exclude other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. If you experience widespread pain for three months or more, along with some of these other symptoms, it's important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation and diagnosis. They will assess your symptoms comprehensively and may apply criteria like the Widespread Pain Index and Symptom Severity Scale to help confirm fibromyalgia. Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.