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What is the difference between chronic fatigue
syndrome and fibromyalgia?
After many years of talking to FMS people, my own answer to
the question above would be PAIN and FATIGUE. While both FMS and CFS have pain and fatigue as symptoms, which is worse? In most
cases if you ask a FMS person what her symptoms are she will probably begin with pain (often quite severe), whereas, a CFS
person will begin with fatigue (a debilitating fatigue). Some doctors think that FMS and CFS are the same thing, others
separate the two, still others think that CFS is a symptom of FMS. In my opinion, due to my own experience, while I do believe
they are related somehow, I think the two should be separate as I (CFS) can relate to a FMS person but I can't completely
identify with her, nor can she completely identify with me. Research is ongoing with both syndromes and, in time, perhaps
we'll have a scientific answer to the question. In the meantime, we can easily share thoughts with each other because so many
symtoms are common to both. -Pat
The following is taken from www.arthritistoday.org
Q. What is the difference
between chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia?
A: .There are wide differences of opinions on the two
conditions, even among medical experts. Most would agree that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) are similar,
and probably related, disorders. One faction in the fibromyalgia/CFS debate believes these are simply two names for the same
thing, while others say they are completely different and still others (though their numbers are small and diminishing) contend
that neither condition exists at all.
My opinion is that the conditions are similar and probably related. Pain,
fatigue and a host of other problems are seen in fibromyalgia. CFS displays similar symptoms. However, a practical way to
differentiate the disorders is that pain is the predominant problem in people with fibromyalgia, whereas fatigue is the major
complaint in people with CFS.
The pain of fibromyalgia is typically chronic and widespread, and is often associated
with stiffness. On examination, many patients have specific sites (called tender points) that are extremely tender to touch.
The detection of these tender points is helpful in making a diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
The fatigue seen in people
with CFS is generally profound, and can be completely incapacitating. Criteria for CFS established by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) are fatigue that has been present for more than six months and is accompanied by the following: - a sore throat;
- enlarged or tender lymph
nodes;
- muscle or joint pain;
- other signs of systemic illness.
Signs and symptoms that
are commonly present in botfh fibromyalgia and CFS include the following:
- sleep disturbances;
- headaches;
- impaired memory or concentration;
- dizziness;
- bowel complaints (such as bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation);
- anxiety or depression.
Despite the differences between fibromyalgia
and CFS, the approaches to treatment of the two disorders are, in fact, quite similar. Most patients benefit from education
about the conditions, participation in local and national support groups such as the Arthritis Foundation Self-Help Course,
the use of low-dose antidepressant drugs at bedtime to improve sleep, as well as low-impact aerobic exercises.
For
more information on fibromyalgia, contact your local Arthritis Foundation office and ask about fibromyalgia resources.
John Klippel, MD, Rheumatologist
 . FROM THE MAIL CIVD (common variable immune deficiency)
I was diagnosed with FMS over 20 years ago. Just a plea with
all who have been diagnosed with FMS and finding yourself having a lot of sinus, ear, throat infections, strep, bronchitis,
pneumonia, COPD, RA, polyarthritis, hypothyroidism, Hashimotos thyroiditis. Affects the soft disc in your body ie. joints/back
etc. Stomach & intestinal problems. Some report a increase risk of lymphatic & skin cancer. Please have a full immune
system check. I was recently diagnosed with CIVD (common variable immune
deficiency) It is one of the 20+ Primary Immune Deficiencies. It requires immunoglobulin treatments. My
B cells are affected by my bodies ability to produce immune defense to fight bacterial infections. I have had this since
birth & it has been missed for 54 years. With this missed diagnoses.
I have had a lot of damage to my ears, sinuses, thyroid, back, TMJ, have not had the test on stomach or intestinal. I was
just found to have precancerous tissue which we are treating now. I implore you to do proper testing. Find a good
Immunologist to do the testing. You have blood test done on the IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG subcategories.
Then you have a pneumonia shot & wait exactly 6 weeks then have more blood test. What mine showed was my body
flat lined to produce any defense against the vaccine. So make sure you get someone who knows what they are doing.
The failure to do the right blood test won't help you find a true result. I
have 5 grams of Hizentra infused subq in the body once a week. The treatment takes a little over an hour to infuse the
Hizentra. You have to do it slow. I use 3 IV lines with butter fly needles at each end. I can't believe
the difference in the way I feel. My body wide pain has subsided probably 60%!!! My Immunologist told me
that she thought it was the CVID instead of having both FMS & CHF. Now
I want to warn all, heredity does play a key, if you look back over your family tree you will see others who have symptoms
or conditions I listed above. It's so sad to see those with so much damage. This can be caught as early
as in a 6 month old baby. The earlier the treatments begin the less damage & more healthy normal life a person
can live. I have to wear a mask when I am in public, now wear gloves also.
I stay at home most all the time. I will never be able to make the immune part of my defense to fight bacterial infections.
So will have to take precautions for the rest of my life. During flu season I have to wear a mask & gloves
help also. Not a fun life but it is my life & I love that I have a treatment.
Thanks everyone!
Deb
If you want to do a good research on the validity of CFIDS google Anthony
Komaroff, M.D and CFIDS. Dr. Komaroff is a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical
School and Editor in Chief of Harvard Health Publications. He has treated hundreds of ME/CFS patients over the past 25 years.
Here are a couple of quotes from Dr. Komaroff:
Answers from Dr. Komaroff in a Q&A
session – “Would you classify CFS as a neurological disease?” Dr. Komaroff stated:
"I
would certainly say, as I have said today, that there is now abundant evidence of measurable abnormalities in the central
nervous system and the autonomic nervous system in people with this illness. So that makes it neurological. That's why I think
it makes sense, as Dr. Gurwitz said, to call it Myalgic Ecephalomyelitis or Encephalopathy, because I think those two words
adequately classify or describe an underlying biology that tests have shown to be the case."
Another
Q&A: - “With respect to the study on the presence of metabolites after exercise, how do patients with
depression compare to CFS patients?” Dr. Komaroff stated:
“As a doctor who has taken care of patients
with major depression for many years I can’t recall a single instance of someone with major depression saying, ‘The
strangest thing has been happening to me, doctor, whenever I do anything, any physical exertion, the next day I feel completely
beat up.’ I have never heard that from any patient with any illness other than chronic fatigue syndrome.”
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