Fatigue 'worse' than the pain? Anyone wonder if they have CFS/ME too??

Morning!

I was reading a great little book (can't find the book or remember the title at this very moment) by Dr. Alison Bested, which said that being dx with FMS vs CFS was often a matter of the specialist's speciality and whether the patient 'complained' more about pain vs fatigue.

I'm still really, really fuzzy on the diff between the two conditions, since pain is a characteristic of ME/CFS too!  And I have some of the other symptoms, such as low grade fever.  But I have a heck of a lot of pain.  And horrible, horrible, horrible fatigue (which is varying in nature, but still 'horrible' on the best of days ahahhahha!).  I think that I suffer from post exercise malaise too as instead of feeling better with gentle, mild exercise, I get progressively 'worse'.

I gave myself the dx of FMS, which was supposed by two pain specialists.  But, I really think that the fatigue is 'more' debilitating on most days than my pain. (I was 'used' to a lot of pain, following a MVA/pedestrian accident in 2004).

Do others feel that it is important to differentiate between FMS and CFS/ME? (as in, does it matter whether I have FMS vs ME/CFS or have both?)  Will it have implications, do you feel, for insurance/disability?  As well as implications for treatment?

Thanks in advance for listening to my ramble.

I've just been wondering the same thing lately - funny!  I'll be interested to see what others say.

I always feel like if I could just keep going, doing what I want without pain from it, that I could push through a lot of the weak-and-tired feeling.  And sometimes that's true, as far as feeling more energized.  But, on the other hand, if I really overdo it, (you know - like a somewhat normal person) that post-exertional malaise is always there - just like the flu.

So it's hard to make real progress.   

Debbie

Hi Everyone,

I get those days too especially if I don't eat healthy. I think walking outdoors helps too. Remember to listen to your body. It will let you know when you've done too much. I try not to overdo.

Have you had your thyroid tested? I've had fibro for 8 years now and the fatigue was awful starting about 5 months ago. They tested my thyroid and it's underactive. I just started meds for it. Just an idea.

Thanks everyone for responding. I'm going thru such a horrible, horrible patch. Thinking is hard. Moving is hard. And I'm convinced that the more that I do, the worse that I feel. My youngest has started full days, today, at a Montessori - I'm so happy that I could cry, if only I had the energy to do so. Just getting the kids ready for school and driving them there is awful on some days. Then I have to set an alarm to pick them up and the evening of noise, activity, meal prep etc begins. Luckily, i often feel a bit better in the evening.

Thanks Corinne for suggesting my thyroid being tested - I have a rec'q form and have managed to misplace it. I will look for it now!!

Fatigue is awful. For two year, I have had a hard time getting out of bed. The more you stay in bed, the worse the pain is. The worse the pain is, the more I want to stay in bed and feel safe. Working on building up energy to get out of bed and the ramifications on my psyche. Yuck. Lots of mental, emotional and bodily work. Seeing some progress...just realizing that it can be a slow process with needed diligence. I hear ya!

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