Silly question: Fibro or CFS?

So lately I have had more fatigue than pain. I only have a Fibro dx. How would I know if I have also developed CFS? For those with both -- how can you tell if you're fatigued from either? Is it the same dx but without pain?

From what i hear, CFS

Has pain and fatigue, and more flu like issues

However some with fibro have that as well, and i had read at some point that there were at least 7 variations of fibro and that was years ago...

Also some of our symptoms come and go ( i vote for going!)

Many of the folks here have both so i am sure they can share more

Lj

I haven't been dx with CFS, but it wouldn't surprise me if it happens. Fatigue is more of a problem for me than the pain as well. I don't even have any of the fibro tender points, but I still feel I do have fibro, because of the other symptoms.

I, unlike most people here post, feel better in the mornings. After I've let my body rest even if I didn't sleep well, I still have more energy in my muscles to do the chores, etc. Around 10:00 a.m. I start to crash. If I lay down for even a few minutes, I can get back up and do more work. I then can keep the pace for another hour or so, and then I have to start taking breaks about every hour to make it through the afternoon. They said I don't have the antibodies for myasthenia gravis (form of MD) so I didn't receive that dx. I plan to ask my new doc about this again in April.

I really feel I do have something else going on besides fibro and OA.

Betsy, I'm still trying to work a full time job! I am fortunate that I have a private office, and a wing back recliner in it. ;) I work alone all day, so I can take breaks. I'm an office mgr. and an accountant. I used to be able to run long batches of adding machine tapes, and do tons of data entry. Now, I add up a bunch of checks, and then I have to rest before I type them into my computer, and then I have to rest again before I can write them on the deposit ticket. My writing is really affected. My hand muscles cramp if I write too much.

Let me ask you. Do you feel out of breath when you just walk through your house or out to get the mail? My doc says I have an irregular heartbeat, and I always get the pounding acceleration of my heartbeat when I exert energy. I always feel like I'm dizzy or going to pass out when standing up from a sitting or laying position. I get "faint" in stores especially if we are standing for a period of time looking at different products. My husband is a slow shopper, and I have to keep a forward momentum or I get so tired. Does this sound like anything you're familiar with? I have actually passed out while waiting in line before. I will also have episodes like this for a while and then it will stop for a while. Does CFS wax and wane like fibro?

Stacey, when I was working I would get so tired I would feel like my head was going to hit the desk and I wouldn't be able to lift it back up. When I was working the fatigue was an everyday thing now that I'm at home it is worse some days than others. Depending on what Ive done. So yes, for me now it does wax and wane like fibro. What I eat will effect it also. Do you take any vitamins?

For me I do get short of breath but I've gained weight since stopping work so I'm not sure if it's from that or the fibro.

I'm sure you know how blessed you are to have that kind of job!! Hang in there as long as you can. I miss working, mostly the friends I had.

Thanks for your encouraging words. I know I am so blessed, and I've been here 10 yrs. It's the main reason I'm fighting so hard not to give in to whatever diseases/disorders that are plaguing me. I know I'm not as effective at my job as I used to be, and I that causes guilt also. I've always been an overachiever so this is hard. I feel like a slacker if I can't clear my desk of tasks in one day. I'm trying to give myself license to relax a little, but...baby steps. lol

Stacey - have you considered POTS?

There is a good percentage of people who have CFS AND also POTS. Your symptoms sound like it is something worth considering.

Good Luck!