Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain and spinal cord process painful and nonpainful signals Symptoms The primary symptoms of fibromyalgia include: • Widespread pain- The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three months. To be considered widespread, the pain must occur on both sides of your body and above and below your waist. • Fatigue- People with fibromyalgia often awaken tired, even though they report sleeping for long periods of time. Sleep is often disrupted by pain, and many patients with fibromyalgia have other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. • Cognitive difficulties- A symptom commonly referred to as "fibro fog" impairs the ability to focus, pay attention and concentrate on mental tasks. Fibromyalgia often co-exists with other conditions, such as: • Irritable bowel syndrome • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Migraine and other types of headaches • Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome • Temporomandibular joint disorders • Anxiety • Depression • Postural tachycardia syndrome