Some physicians treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FMS) separately, while other medics view them as actually one and the same thing or at least consider them the variations of the same condition. According to the research it was shown that more than a half patients with one diagnosis also have the symptoms of the other conditions.
But what are the similarities between two conditions? Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are reported to have some host of symptoms in common. These symptoms include:
- Fatigue;
- Joint and muscular pain;
- Sleep that gives no refresh;
- Spastic colon;
- Constant headache;
- Associations with TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome);
- Memory or cognitive worsening;
- Worsening of coordination;
- Vertigo.
And what are the differences between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia?
The major difference, when it comes to diagnosing, is to determine which symptom is worst – fatigue or pain. The diagnosis can also depend on the literature which your physician is more familiar with: the CDC’s guidelines for ME/CFS or the American College of Rheumatology’s criteria for FMS.
Nevertheless, there are some more significant differences between the two conditions. The beginning of the chronic fatigue syndrome cases is usually like the symptoms of flu and thus they can be linked to a virus. CFS patients often have chronic immune system activation, as if their organisms show a fight with some infection, while patients with fibromyalgia do not. Moreover, CFS often has low-grade fever and sore throat as symptoms, while fibromyalgia symptoms do not include it. Another difference is that the pain of fibromyalgia is relieved after using heat and gentle massage, while the pain of CFS does not.
The doctor will solidify your diagnosis and will choose the treatment for you. The treatment for both the condition usually focuses on alleviating symptoms.
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