Aches and pains with no obvious cause? Constantly tired despite getting plenty of rest? If you answer yes to either question, you may have fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Or both.
Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are two conditions characterized by their difficulties: difficult to diagnose, treat, cure and for some patients, to prove they exist.
Fibromyalgia causes chronic pain in specific muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons. Patients often report discomfort at various points on the body, insomnia and fatigue.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is marked by profound, long-lasting fatigue. Patients rest, but cannot shake the overwhelming feelings of tiredness. Chronic pain is another symptom associated with CFS.
Both syndromes are more common in women than in men. And in each condition, the cause is unknown.
Differences and Similarities
So what are the differences between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It depends on whom you ask.
Many experts believe they are two names for the same condition. Between 50 and 70 percent of people diagnosed with one condition could just as easily be diagnosed with the other, according to the Arthritis Foundation.
In fact, a physician's familiarity with each disorder may influence the eventual diagnosis. For example, a doctor with a long history of treating fibromyalgia is more likely to diagnose this condition than CFS.
While the two conditions share many symptoms (such as sleep problems and cognitive disturbances) some small but crucial distinctions can be made. Those distinctions may be summarized as fatigue or pain. Most patients have one symptom more than the other. For example:
- People with fibromyalgia are slightly more likely to experience pain than patients with CFS. Injuries and trauma (either physical or emotional) often trigger bouts of fibromyalgia. Chemicals that help the body transmit and interpret pain signals may not be present at normal levels in fibromyalgia patients.
- People with CFS are more likely to be fatigued than patients with fibromyalgia. A flu-like illness often precedes CFS symptoms, and patients with this condition are less likely than patients with fibromyalgia to have individual tender areas on their bodies.
Of the two conditions, fibromyalgia is more readily acknowledged as a legitimate condition by the medical community. The nature of CFS remains controversial, with disagreement over its definition, diagnosis and treatment. Some physicians do not even recognize CFS as a legitimate disorder.
Treatment Options
Because fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome are so similar, they share many treatments. These include:
- Exercise therapy. Steady, gradual exercise is typically recommended. Patients may use a combination of aerobic, strength training and flexibility exercises. For some people, a physical therapist may help craft an appropriate exercise program.
- Medications. Drugs may be used to treat both the pain and depression associated with fibromyalgia. Such medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics and antidepressants.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. This treatment has been shown to help fibromyalgia and CFS patients cope with their symptoms. Part of this therapy is to help patients stay positive and to push themselves into a level of increased activity.
- Stress management and relaxation therapy. Classes, support groups and other methods can help patients reduce stress and insomnia, both of which can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms. Biofeedback (in which patients use their minds to control symptoms in their bodies) and massage therapy also can help.
If you experience chronic pain or fatigue, consult your physician. The right treatment regimen can significantly reduce symptoms associated with these syndromes.
