Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic musculoskeletal pain and constant fatigue. According to the Arthritis Foundation organization, although considered an arthritis-related condition, fibromyalgia is not truly a form of arthritis because it does not cause inflammation or damage to the joints, muscles or other tissues. It is, however, considered a rheumatic condition because it impairs the joints and/or soft tissues and causes chronic pain. The pain is similar to arthritis because it occurs at the ligaments, where the muscles and the bones meet. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, symptoms vary but may include sluggishness, confusion, numbness or a tingling sensation in the hands and feet, muscle twitches, and chronic headaches. Disorders that are most similar to fibromyalgia are chronic fatigue syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome and autoimmune diseases. Sufferers of this condition should seek treatment from their health care provider.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
In order for a condition to be considered chronic fatigue syndrome, the symptoms must last for at least six months. Similar to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome is diagnosed based only on the symptoms described by the patient. Both disorders affect the mind and body. The physical similarities include flu-like aches in parts of the body, exhaustion and sleep disorders. The shared psychological symptoms include feeling anxious, isolated and depressed. But unlike fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers also experience fevers that are associated with the condition. According to the Womenshealth.gov website, unlike fibromyalgia, pain does not necessarily have to be present in chronic fatigue syndrome. The two also have similar treatments. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some doctors believe that fibromyalgia is simply an extreme type of chronic fatigue syndrome; however, physically, the two disorders are distinct, and each has its own treatments.
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Myofascial Pain Syndrome
Mysofascial pain syndrome is a condition that causes chronic and severe pain. The muscles and connective tissues develop small, hard knots underneath the skin called trigger points. Trigger points can be painful when touched or poked. According to the "Journal of Musculoskeletal Pain," the pain is also described as being in the muscles located in specific areas of the body as opposed to a generalized pain felt by fibromyalgia patients. The condition is similar to fibromyalgia because symptoms such as headaches, disturbed sleep, unexplained sweating, tinnitus and memory problems are present in both. Also, both conditions can worsen during physical activity, extreme changes in the weather and while under stress. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, fibromyalgia not only mimics the symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome, but it can also accompany it. As a result, a patient may get diagnosed as having one disorder and not the other.
Autoimmune Diseases
Autoimmune diseases come from an overactive immune system that causes the body to attack healthy cells in the body. Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Sjogren's syndrome also have symptoms similar to fibromyalgia. According to Womenshealth.gov, fibromyalgia has often been mistaken as an autoimmune disease. Some common characteristics that many autoimmune disease share with fibromyalgia are muscle and joint pain, extreme fatigue, digestive disorders, sleep disturbances, memory loss and anxiety. Although certain autoimmune diseases are easy to detect such as autoimmune rheumatic diseases, doctors often will monitor the patient's symptoms in case there was a misdiagnosis and it is actually fibromyalgia or both.
