Symptom 5. Morning Stiffness: A Rocky Start
Rounding out the top five symptoms of fibromyalgia is morning stiffness. It’s like an unwanted wake-up call that disrupts the start of the day. Imagine the feeling of rigidity in your muscles and joints when you wake up, as if you’re a rusty robot that needs a generous dose of oiling before you can move.
Often lasting several minutes to a few hours after waking, morning stiffness can affect any part of the body, from the neck and shoulders to the lower back and legs. It can be a severe impediment, making routine morning activities a real struggle. From getting out of bed to making breakfast, every action can seem daunting when your body refuses to cooperate.
The intensity of this stiffness can also fluctuate from day to day, with some days being relatively mild and others feeling like you’re encased in cement. The unpredictability adds another layer of difficulty, making it challenging to establish a consistent morning routine.
It’s worth noting that while morning stiffness is a common symptom of fibromyalgia, it’s not exclusive to this condition and can occur with other illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Hence, it’s crucial to consider it within the wider context of other symptoms. (*)
