| Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome | | | | The Similarities Between Fibromyalgia and Chronic |
| (CFS) share many similarities, and the names are | | | | Fatigue Syndrome |
| often used interchangeably in the medical | | | | Despite the differences mentioned above, there |
| literature. How Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue | | | | are many similarities between these two |
| Syndrome are related is still debated by | | | | conditions. Muscle and/or joint pain is often a |
| professionals. There are a few schools of thought: | | | | problem for people with CFS and FM sufferers |
| - They are two completely separate illnesses that | | | | usually experience fatigue as well. |
| have nothing to do with each other. | | | | Headaches, memory loss, difficulty with |
| - They are two different disorders that share | | | | concentration, forgetfulness, depression, |
| many similar symptoms. | | | | numbness, non refreshing sleep, and generalized |
| - They are the same disorder, with different | | | | weakness are all present in many people with |
| symptoms that are more pronounced. | | | | both disorders. |
| Some experts, such as Muhammad B. Yunus, MD, | | | | Diagnosis Of Chronic Fatigue And Fibromyalgia |
| a pioneer FM researcher, believe that there is a | | | | Because these two conditions share so many |
| large group of illnesses with overlapping features. | | | | similarities, the diagnosis that is given is often |
| Yunus calls these "Central Sensitivity Syndromes." | | | | dependent on the doctor that is seen. Some |
| They include disorders such as FM, CFS, migraines, | | | | doctors are simply more familiar with the criteria |
| irritable bowel syndrome, TMJ, multiple chemical | | | | for either one. |
| sensitivities, restless legs syndrome, and others. | | | | A rheumatologist is more likely to give a diagnosis |
| According to many researchers, between 50% | | | | of Fibromyalgia, since that is their specialty. A |
| and 70% of people with Fibromyalgia also have | | | | specialist in infectious disease will probably give a |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and vice versa. | | | | diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. |
| The Difference Between Fibromyalgia And Chronic | | | | Does It Matter? |
| Fatigue Syndrome | | | | Perhaps these two illnesses will never be |
| - FM is characterized by debilitating pain. This is | | | | conclusively separated. Provided the doctor has an |
| characterized by extreme exhaustion. | | | | in-depth understanding of one or the other, it |
| - Substance P and other chemicals in the body | | | | probably does not matter. To understand this can |
| that transmit pain signals are elevated in people | | | | be a huge relief for people suffering from these |
| with FM but generally not in those with Chronic | | | | conditions. |
| Fatigue. | | | | According to Dr Elgleberg, the chief of the |
| - RNasel is not necessarily elevated in people who | | | | infectious diseases division at the University of |
| have FM. RNasel, which is an antiviral enzyme, is | | | | Michigan Medical School, the diagnostic label makes |
| commonly elevated in people who have CFS | | | | little difference as long as both the physician and |
| - Fibromyalgia is often traced either to an injury, | | | | the patient take a comprehensive approach to |
| or physical/emotional trauma. Chronic Fatigue | | | | treating symptoms. "Rational treatment consists |
| tends to start with a flu-like illness. | | | | of maintaining good general health -- in other |
| - People with Fibromyalgia must have 11 of the 18 | | | | words, a balanced diet and exercise as tolerated |
| tender points associated with the illness to be | | | | and symptomatic relief of pain, sleep or mood |
| diagnosed. Those with it will most likely not | | | | disorders. |
| experience particular pain in these areas. | | | | |