CFS VS. Fibromyalgia

Diseases & Conditions Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
1
Hi all!
I usually post in the fibro and anxiety forums but I have been curious about something for a long time. What is the difference between CFS and fibro? So many web sites seem to say they are the same thing with different names...Thanks tongue
 
Shelly
2
Shelly, that's a great question, but a hard one to answer. My own personal thoughts are that the ywo illnesses are very similar but not the same. They share the symptoms of fatigue and pain, but with CFS there is often the history of the epstein barr virus (not always though) and there are also low grade fevers and swollne glands. I don't think fevers and swollen glands are a part of fibro.

I have read the same thing you have about the two being the same illness, but I have also read that they are two different illnesses with some symptoms in common.

I hope this helps.

Diagnosis:  Suspected Lupus 2004; Raynauds 2006; Sjogren's 2006; CFS 1991; Mono 1985
Meds:  Plaquenil 400mg; Tramadol 100mg 3-4x daily; Amitriptyline 10mg; Neurontin 300mg; Steriod Cream and Mouth Rinse for tongue and mouth ulcers; Hydrocodone 5/500 prn for severe pain

 

Clickable:  LUPUS INFORMATION & LUPUS RESOURCES.

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3

Thanks for the response Hippimom! There is so much info on the internet. Some is reliable and some not so good. I was curious because I think there seems to be some important differences between the 2 also, but some don't agree. i think its always best to be well informed and have accurate info on any illnesses we have.

Thanks

Shelly

4
Hi Shelly, Im new to all this. Haven't ever been on a chat room of any kind, but most importantly I was diagnosed with CFS and Fibro about 5 weeks ago. The info that I have found out is that CFS is related more so to the muscles and Fibro to the joints and nerves. I think you can have one or the other or both like I. I have RSD and it goes hand in hand with Fibro and I have severe food and medicine alergies which go hand in hand with CFS.
5

Hi Shelly,

I have had CFS for 11 years, and Fibro for about 7 years.  I agree that there is a lot of conflicting info out there.  That's because no one really knows what is going on and the ones that have it figured out better arent' being listened to.

As for the differences:  I believe that the research shows that CFS and FMS are different illnesses which have overlapping symptoms.  Like if you had the allergies and then got a head cold.  (Not the best analogy, but the only one I can think of right now)  Anyway, many of the symptoms are the same for allergies and head colds, but they are caused by different things and are in fact very different illnesses.

With CFS, most research shows some sort of infectious process with symptoms like sore throats, low grade fevers, swollen glands, sore spots in mouth and on tongue, rashes, muscle aches and pains, and of course, intense fatigue. 

With FMS, most research shows this to be more of a disorder of the musculoskeletal system.  It involves soft tissue such as muscles but also the joints.  It is more in a class with arthritis and the like.  This doesn't mean that a person won't have other symptoms like fatigue.  That is also a part of it.

So the way to keep them from being confusing is to remember that for CFS, the primary symptoms are viral-like with intense fatigue.  With FMS, the primary symptoms are pain, and yes with some fatigue.  Some FMS patients have more fatigue, some less.

Anyway, that is what the researchers have been able to show so far.  Who knows?  Maybe in the future we will find out that we are all wrong about them both.  But I don't think so.  I believe they are different diseases which have a propensity for each other.  That is why they tend to show up together in patients.  What the  connection is, I don't know, but we will know someday.

Hope this helps.

Musicgirl 

6
Well this thread answered some of my questions.....very interesting. Now where does chronic pain syndrome come into the picture? My doc diagnosed my fibromyalgia, and Ive seen chronic pain syndrome also in my charts. I have the symptoms of CFS too with the frequent infections and fevers. Could it be possible to have all 3?
7
Hi ms.kentucky,
Yes it is possible to have all three.  I have all three and Chiari I Malformation and Syringomyelia and a few other fun things.
 
Chronic Pain Syndrome is really a large category that encompasses any chronic pain issue, so naturally it would include fibromyalgia, but can include any other chronic pain condition.
 
Hope this helps!
Musicgirl
8
It does get awfully complicated. I know a lot of symptoms between hypothyroid and FMS can overlap as well. I have hypo thyroid, hashimoto's disease, and fibro. I'm usually in the fribo section but fatigue is one of my biggest complaints. SO thought i'd read a few post. You kind of have to look at it as one big pie and work on things in peices. Like now I'm trying to figure out my fatigue and exhaustion problems that's a section, my thyroid is another section sometimes its easier to look at it that way look at what's been accomplished and addressed and what hasn't. If not it can all become very overwhelming which can equal stress which in turn can add to the pain and exhaustion. it never ends.
9
i recall reading that nervous exhaustion, a term now outdated in medical circles, is now lumped in as cfs. i fit the nervous exhaustion profile to a tee. very frustrating and nothing i have tried helps.
10

Hi Taintedangel.

I also have hashimoto's and CFS./FMS  I am seeing a specialist who works with the fibro and fatigue centers.  He uses bioidentical hormones to balance the hormonal imbalances associated with CFS.  He is checking me to see if I would benefit from this type of treatment for my hashimoto's.  He said and I have heard this before that some people who are given t3 and t4 replacement have more problems because of the feedback system in our bodies.  We actually end up worse from this kind of replacement.  What is needed is the right kind of t-3 replacement.  I'll know more and can fill you in, in a few weeks after seeing him. 

Musicgirl

11

Todd00,

I have heard of nervous exhaustion too and yes it is similar to CFS.  However, the causes are quite different.  With nervous exhaustion the fatigue isn't caused from an infection.  In CFS all research points to a viral cause. 

Now having said that, there are a lot of disorders that are being called CFS that aren't truly CFS.  Some are things like nervous exhaustion, others may be of other etiologies.  The research that I have spoken of has been reported in the last several years and is being done by the top guys.  It points to an infectious agent, most likely viral, as the cause.

Hope this helps

Musicgirl