What's the difference between Chronic Fatigue and Fibro

Good question. My initial guess would be "pain" but the CDC's definition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome includes pain, so I don't know - maybe they have become somewhat indistiguishable? I know the Social Security Ruling for Fibro actually includes Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in its title, rather than fibro...

Hmmm, didn't know that about the insurance. :( Not good. Hopefully the new health care reforms will address that?

Redheadbk,  Hi, I haven't posted for quite some time but have been reading posts & just had to address your question.  I have both CFS & FM, I was dx'd with both in 2006.  They both have alot of symptoms that are the same but both are different in other aspects.  CFS is most known for debilitating fatigue, not just tired but a fatigue that involves every muscle, to the point of having no abilility to do anything.  Just exhausted for no reason but a flare can be brought on by stress, whether physical or mental.   When I am flaring I just want to lay on the couch & sleep.  Sleep issues with CFS leave you unrefreshed, rummy & foggy.  Without sleep meds I have been known to sleep 19 hrs or more at a time & still feel like I haven't slept at all.  Sore lymph nodes & sore throat are other symptoms of CFS.  Fibro is pain to the umpteenth degree, sharp, dull, achey & burning all over.  Not fun, as you know.  The symptoms they have in common are: cognitive problems, pain, IBS, depression, cold hands & feet, low blood pressure (more CFS), low temp. to name a few.  As Andrea said the Center for Disease Control has good info on CFS & on Fibromyalgia.

I received my Social Security disability 2 months ago, I got it for both the Fibro & the CFS, it took me 6 months.  I have quite a problem with the cognitive problems, pain & fatigue & haven't been able to work for a few years.  My husband died in Nov. of 2009 & that threw me into an 18 month Fibro/CFS flare, along with depression, which I am now finally coming out of.  Yeah!!!!!  I hope I answered your question, if I didn't please feel free to ask me anything you want.   Welcome to the Forum.

Gentle hugs,

Denise

Thank you! That was very helpful :)

Sherrine & Karen: Thank you for your condolances & your thoughtfulness.  Mike's death was unexpected & like you know so well, left me devasted & numb.  I am now starting to feel like I want to live again but I will always miss him.  Stress can do horrible things to our illnesses & I hope never to have to go through such a long flare again.  I am still not back to my old illness "normal" but I hope to get there again.  I keep laughing about how I thought I was soooo sick back then but now I want to be there.  Go figure!! lol

Redheadbk:  I am happy my explanation helped you.  As I said don't hesitate to ask me any questions you may have.  I hope to be around the forum a bit more.  I am going to my sisters for a little over a week but will still be reading posts. 

Many hugs,

Denise

Denise, Sherrine, Karen

Your personal stories are totally a source of strength to me. If you can continue to push forward after the tragedies you've suffered, then I can certainly stop feeling sorry for myself and keep fighting to feel better again.

Thank  you so much Redheadbk.  But, you know what?  We all have that strength within us!  It's there if we will tap into it.  I've had many painful things happen in my life and I'm sure you have too.  But these things are in the past and we only have today and the future.  We can't change things that happen in the past but we can learn from them.

 

This is how I handle fibromyalgia.  I take each day at a time and I look forward to each new day with anticipation.  It could be a really great day!  If it's a lousy day, hey, I can handle one day!  I don't project myself in the future because no one knows what the future holds.  Instead, I work on finding things and techniques that help me live my life fully and enjoyably in spite of this illness.  We can't let fibro control us and our thinking!  YOU have to be in control. 

 

If you haven't found what helps you control the pain, then keep on searching.  That's how I found out about malic acid/magnesium and the vitamin D3 supplements...from searching and reading.  I was only taking ibuprofen and Tylenol for years.  That's also how I found out about the gentle exercises and massages, too.  I didn't do those for years but tried them and they work! 

 

This is where this forum is wonderful.  People pass on what works best for them to control the pain and this gives others the opportunity to try it for themselves...of course asking your doctor first.  My doctor didn't agree with the malic acid/magnesium supplements.  He said I would be wasting my money but it wouldn't hurt me either so I tried it and it helps me a lot!

 

Just keep a positive outlook, smile a lot, and enjoy life.  This pushes fibro on the back burner for me.  I'm glad my situation has helped you.

 

Sherrine