| istinctions between Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic | | | | Continue reading for details on CFS and to sign up |
| Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are very difficult to | | | | for the free Fibromyalgia newsletter below. |
| arrive at. In fact, not only are these terms used | | | | For CFS there are a number of symptoms, many |
| interchangeably, but also one is sometimes | | | | of which do overlap with fibromyalgia symptoms, |
| juxtaposed with the other like "Fibromylagia | | | | including: |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Nonetheless, these | | | | * Fatigue: People with CFS experience deep, |
| disorders are classed as separate disorders. A | | | | incapacitating exhaustion mentally and physically, |
| true test in determining "which is which" may be | | | | which is aggravated by physical exertion. This |
| done by observing your symptoms and the | | | | feeling of exhaustion does not disappear through |
| conditions under which it developed, and | | | | rest. In order to arrive at a diagnosis of CFS, this |
| comparing it with the dominant symptoms of | | | | fatigue should be felt for not less than six months. |
| Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. | | | | * Pain: Pain in CFS may be in the muscles, joints |
| The distinctive symptoms of fibromyalgia are | | | | (without swelling or redness), lymph node pain, |
| persistent, generalized pain and tender points of | | | | and irritable bowel syndrome is common. Patients |
| the body even against light touch. The patient | | | | also complain of sore throats and chest pain. |
| may also suffer from oversensitivity of the skin | | | | * Cognitive problems: people with CFS may be |
| (also called allodynia), needle-like sensations over | | | | forgetful and confused. They may also have |
| the skin, painful muscle tissues, abnormally long | | | | difficulty in thinking and focusing. The verbal skills |
| duration of spasm in the muscle, lack of strength | | | | of individuals with this syndrome can also appear |
| in the limbs, and pain in the nerves. | | | | to be affected. |
| Likewise, persistent sleep disorders are also | | | | * Hypersensitivity: people with CFS are more |
| attributes of fibromyalgia. Some studies have | | | | often than not, overly sensitive to light, sound, |
| shown that the brain patterns of sleeping | | | | and multiple chemicals and foods. Many CFS |
| fibromyalgia patients have periods of being similar | | | | sufferers complain of oversensitivity to foods, |
| to brain activity when awake. This prevents sleep | | | | odors, substances, and medications, which can |
| from being restorative and you wake up feeling | | | | make treatment more difficult. Patients with |
| non-refreshed. Also, stages where sleep is deeper | | | | pre-existing allergies and conditions such as |
| (stages 3 &4) are often reduced, sometimes | | | | asthma usually complain of heightened symptoms. |
| considerably. All of this adds to the daytime | | | | Patients also complain of oversensitivity of the |
| fatigue. | | | | senses resulting to abnormal tiredness, migraines, |
| There are a number of theories as to how | | | | and even seizures. |
| Fibromyalgia can develop; as a result of some | | | | * Poor temperature control: people with CFS |
| injuries, major operation or virus. Some evidence | | | | often complain that it is too hot or too cold, |
| seems to establish that Lyme Disease could be a | | | | probably due to the affected hypothalamus, which |
| cause. Nevertheless, there is at present, no | | | | is the area responsible for controlling the |
| established relationship between any particular | | | | body’s temperature. Many CFS patients |
| type of cause and the onset of the symptoms. | | | | even report of frequent fever-like symptoms. |
| Symptoms can have a slow development, and | | | | * Sleep problems: "Unrefreshing sleep" and rest |
| sufferers can initially have mild symptoms during | | | | are indications of CFS, and inability to sleep is also |
| childhood, which are often diagnosed as growing | | | | common. Having a regular sleep schedule is |
| pains, however when these continue on into | | | | likewise very hard for CFS sufferers. |
| adulthood it can be a sign of fibromyalgia. | | | | Patients also complain that exercise only worsens |
| Symptoms are often made worse if another | | | | their condition, instead of arresting their insomnia. |
| illness or condition impacts the body, or even | | | | The overlap between these two conditions is |
| when the climate changes. | | | | great a figure of 75% similarity between the two |
| The syndrome does not result in inflammation like | | | | conditions being suggested. So although |
| in rheumatoid arthritis, although some | | | | fibromyalgia chronic fatigue are two different |
| anti-inflammatory treatments, such as Ibuprofen | | | | conditions they are not mutually exclusive. The |
| and Iontophoresis, could provisionally help to ease | | | | treatment options for both these conditions are |
| the pain. | | | | also very similar. |