Researchers and doctors believe that Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are linked by a viral causative agent. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a definitive cause identified for either condition. For those who suffer from these conditions the identification of a specific viral etiology isn’t as important as treatment protocols that can reduce or eliminate the symptoms.
People who suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) will suffer from weakness, fatigue that isn’t resolved after bed rest, short term memory loss, decreased concentration and general pain. Researchers have discovered that this condition has been reported over the past 3 decades under several other diagnosis.
Patients with chronic fatigue are twice as likely to be women between the ages of 25 and 45 years old. Most of these cases are sporadic in the community. There have been approximately 30 clusters of similar illnesses reported since 1934 but no common environmental or infectious agent has been identified.
Those who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have a higher likelihood of developing other physical health problems. In a study of 127 pairs of twins, where one had CFS for 6 months or greater and the other didn’t, the researchers found that those with CFS had higher rates of several other physical conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, chronic pelvic pain and multiple chemical sensitivities.
The largest differences between the twins were noted in the conditions of Fibromyalgia and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. 70% of twins with CFS also had Fibromyalgia compared to 10% of their twins. This information matches much of the case study information currently available that suggests that people who are diagnosed with CFS also have the co-morbid condition of Fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia, when it is associated with CFS, is characterized by musculoskeletal pain that is widespread throughout the body, pain, stiffness, parasthesia, non-restorative sleep and multiple tender points that are widely distributed and symmetrical throughout the body.
Interestingly Fibromyalgia also predominantly affects women. According to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology classification, there are 3.4% of women and 0.5% of men who are affected by Fibromyalgia. The causative factors for Fibromyalgia match, to some degree, those that are postulated to cause CFS. These mechanisms include low levels of serotonin, low levels of somatomedin C and low levels of growth hormone. Those people who suffer from Fibromyalgia also report depression, anxiety, eating disorders, hypochondriases and a high prevalence of sexual and physical abuse.
As you can see the symptoms are very similar and oftentimes the names are used interchangeably. In fact, many experts think the conditions are actually one and the same, or at least variations of the same condition.
Survey research has shown that between 50 and 70% of those with CFS fit the criteria for Fibromyalgia and visa versa. The difference in diagnosis may be a result of differences in degrees of the specific symptoms. Those with CFS have pain, the hallmark of Fibromyalgia, and people with Fibromyalgia also suffer from fatigue not resolved by sleep, the hallmark of CFS.
The diagnosis you receive may be a result of the physician or specialist that you see for diagnosis. There are however a few documented differences. Fibromyalgia can often be traced to an injury or emotional trauma where patients with CFS may initially have flu like symptoms.
The differences between the two diagnosis may be small but to some physicians those differences still exist. They also make a difference in the treatment protocols that are recommended and the research that is pursued to discover causative agents. Only when the causes are discovered can scientists make recommendations about prevention or find a treatment that may cure the condition.
Resources:
Arthritis Foundation: Chronic fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
http://www.arthritistoday.org/tools-and-resources/expert-q-and-a/fibromyalgia-questions/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-fibromyalgia.php
National Fibromyalgia Research Association: Comparable Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
http://www.nfra.net/Symchart.htm
Social Science and medicine: Ideal Versus Reality: Physicians Perspectives on Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12821018
Current View in Pain: Pain Complaints in Patients with Fibromyalgia Versus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10998728
Archives of Internal Medicine: Comparison of Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8092909
MayoClinic: Fibromyalgia
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases: questions and Answers about Fibromyalgia
http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/fibromyalgia/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Fibromyalgia
http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/fibromyalgia.htm
National Fibromyalgia Association
http://www.fmaware.org/
The American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association: What is Fibromyalgia
http://www.afsafund.org/fibromyalgia.html
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