What's The Difference?

By Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN

Research shows that between 50 percent and 70 percent of people with fibromyalgia also display the symptoms of chronic fatigue. The reverse is also true. Because the symptoms are so similar, the difference between one diagnosis and another often rests in the specialty and education of the diagnosing physician.
Despite their similarities, there are a few documented differences between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Although the exact cause of either condition is unknown, fibromyalgia is often linked to a previous injury or physical trauma, whereas chronic fatigue syndrome usually begins with the flu or other viral infection. In addition, the severity of symptoms is different in these two conditions. Patients who suffer from fibromyalgia may experience exhaustion, but this is different from the incurable, all-encompassing fatigue of chronic fatigue syndrome.

Similarly, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome may experience widespread pain but not the tender point pain characteristic of fibromyalgia. Researchers have also found that people with fibromyalgia may have a chemical imbalance that disrupts the body's ability to transmit and respond to pain signals.
Until researchers are able to untangle the exact fundamental biological, neurological and psychological differences between these two syndromes, their diagnosis and treatment methods may continue to be intermingled.