Some patients become hypersensitive to light, noise, odors, and changes in the weather. This sensitivity is attributed to hyper vigilance in the nervous system. These include difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, memory lapses, and becoming overwhelmed easily. Although there is no way yet to determine which comes first, doctors believe that FMS is contributing factor to depression, not the other way around. Patients are more likely to have chest pain when they engage in activity that requires forward motion, such as sitting at a desk.
Many patients experience shallow breathing and upper body discomfort.
Often, patients with FMS have been misdiagnosed with heart disease in the past. Patients may experience migraines, tension, or vascular headaches. Many sufferers develop an arthritic condition of the temporomandibular joint in the jaw. Common symptoms include facial pain, joint popping or locking, pain with chewing and inability to completely open or close the mouth. Many patients experience digestive problems, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.