| Associated
Conditions: MAIN MENU |
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Autoimmune
Diseases:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS) |
| This page
was written by Shelley
Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. These illnesses
affect everyone differently. Just because something is listed
here does not mean an individual patient will ever experience
it. See Disclaimer. |
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| Relationship Between (CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FMS) |
| Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Information on the relationships between the rheumatological condition known as fibromyalgia, fibrositis, or FMS, chronic fatigue syndrome, CFS, myalgic encephalitis, ME, hypometabolism and thyroid disease, including hypothyroidism. About.com. |
| What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)? |
| What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, is a debilitating and complex disorder characterized by profound fatigue that is not improved by bed rest and that may be worsened by physical or mental activity. Persons with CFS most often function at a substantially lower level of activity than they were capable of before the onset of illness. HealingWell.com |
| The chronic fatigue syndrome - an update. Cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy are of proven value in randomized controlled trials. Several pharmaceutical measures have been explored and found to have no beneficial effect. Most patients might expect long-term improvement, but full recovery is rare; however, the prognosis is better among adolescents. IngentaConnect. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Vol 115, Sup 187, May 2007, pp. 7-14(8). |
| What is Fibromyalgia (FMS)? |
| What is Fibromyalgia? "Fibromyalgia (formerly known as fibrositis) is a chronic condition causing pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Fibromyalgia is also characterized by restless sleep, awakening feeling tired, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and disturbances in bowel function." MedicineNet. |
| Causes of CFS and FMS |
| Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) |
| Chronic fatigue syndrome is associated with chronic enterovirus infection of the stomach. Enterovirus VP1, RNA and non-cytopathic viruses were detected in the stomach biopsies of CFS patients with chronic abdominal complaints. A significant subset of CFS patients may have chronic, disseminated, non-cytolytic form of enteroviral infection, which could be diagnosed by stomach biopsies. J Clin Pathol. Published Online First: 13 September 2007. |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome May Be Genetically Related. According to researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USA, your genes may be an important contributory factor to the development of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Medical News Today. 04/21/06. |
| Causes of Fibromyalgia (FMS) |
| Fibromyalgia Pain Caused By Neuron Mismatch, Suggests Study. The unexplained pain experienced by patients with fibromyalgia is the result of a mismatch between sensory and motor systems, new research suggests. ( Science Dalily.) University of Bath (2007, November 2). |
| Neck Injury and Fibromyalgia—Are They Really Associated? Whiplash injury and road accident trauma were not associated with an increased rate of FM after more than 14.5 months of followup. J Rheumatol 2006;33:1183–5. May 01 2006. |
| Fibromyalgia: The Nerve of That Disease. In view of prominent characteristics that FM shares with other generalized pain conditions, we suggest that a key mechanism in such disorders may be that of altered activity in the subdiaphragmatic vagus nerve. J Rheumatol. 2005 August;32 Suppl 75:29-37. |
| Interrelations Between Fibromyalgia, Thyroid Autoantibodies, and Depression. Our results suggest an association between FM and thyroid autoimmunity. J Rheumatol. OCTOBER 2004;31:2036-40 (Also see: Thyroid Disease) |
| Fibromyalgia and Thyroid Dysfunction. The most frequent thyroid functional disorder found in fibromyalgia women was SCHT (subclinical hypothyroidism), more than in healthy population. Presence of TPO antibodies was the most frequent related to this disfunction. R. M. Morlà. AB0169 EULAR 2004. (Also see: Thyroid Disease) |
| Diagnosis of CFS and FMS |
| Identification of masqueraders of autoimmune disease in the office. There are several rheumatologic and autoimmune disorders that can masquerade as allergic disease. These conditions include rheumatoid and juvenile arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behcet's and antiphospholipid syndromes, systemic sclerosis, vasculitis, sarcoidosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. PubMed. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2003 Nov-Dec;24(6):421-9. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sjogren's Syndrome, Lupus, Behcet's, Antiphospholipid, Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma), Vasculitis, Sarcoiditis) |
| CFS Diagnosis |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. In general, in order to receive a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome, a patient must satisfy two criteria: (1) Have severe chronic fatigue of six months or longer duration with other known medical conditions excluded by clinical diagnosis, and (2) Concurrently have four or more of the following symptoms: substantial impairment in short-term memory or concentration, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, muscle pain, multi-joint pain without swelling or redness, headaches of a new type, pattern or severity, unrefreshing sleep, and post-exertional malaise lasting more than 24 hours. National Center for Infectious Diseases CDC. |
| FMS Diagnosis |
| Dysautonomia, fibromyalgia and reflex dystrophy. Hormonal and neurochemical abnormalities are observed in fibromyalgia whereas activation by peripheral trauma and hyperosteolysis are observed in reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:105. |
| Pressure pain thresholds and tender point counts as predictors of new chronic widespread pain (CWP) in somatising subjects. Data from this population-based prospective study suggest that a low pain threshold in subjects with CWP is likely to be a secondary phenomenon as a result of pain or associated distress rather than the antecedent of symptoms. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2007;66:517-521. |
Overall fibromyalgia (FM) pain is predicted by ratings of local pain and pain-related negative affect—possible role of peripheral tissues. Peripheral factors (maximal/average local pain and number of painful body areas) predicted most of the variance of overall clinical FM pain, suggesting that the input of pain by the peripheral tissues is clinically relevant. Rheumatology 2006 45(11):1409-1415 |
| Further clues to recognition of patients with fibromyalgia from a simple 2-page patient multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ). Patients with fibromyalgia had high ratios of pain:physical function and fatigue:physical function scores, and a high number of reported symptoms. PubMed. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2004 Jul-Aug;22(4):453-61. (Also see: Rheumatoid Arthritis) |
| Stop Using the American College of Rheumatology Criteria in the Clinic. It is as if we were to define rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by requiring 25 swollen joints, or diabetes by requiring diabetic coma. By defining pain and distress in this special way, we opened the door to the prima facie claim of disability. FREDERICK WOLFE, MD. J Rheumatol NO. 8 AUGUST 2003;30. |
| Treatments of CFS and FMS |
| Clinical Trials: Fibromyalgia. A list of current and new clinical trials in the United States on Fibromyolgia. Center Watch. 02/15/08. |
| The high frequency of manic symptoms in fibromyalgia does influence the choice of treatment? Subjects with FM showed an higher comorbidity with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder than controls. Clinical Practice and Epidemiology in Mental Health 2006, 2:36 doi:10.1186/1745-0179-2-36. |
| Use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) providers by fibromyalgia patients under insurance coverage. With insurance coverage, a majority of patients with FMS will visit CAM providers. The sickest patients use more CAM, leading to an increased number of health care visits. Wiley Interscience 03/30/07. Arthritis Care and Research, Volume 57, Issue 1 , Pages 71 - 76. |
| CFS Treatments |
| Can exercise limits prevent post-exertional malaise in chronic fatigue syndrome? An uncontrolled clinical trial. The use of exercise limits (limiting both the intensity and duration of exercise) prevents important health status changes following a walking exercise in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, but was unable to prevent short-term symptom increases. Clinical Rehabilitation, May 2008, 22(5), pp 426-435. |
| FMS: Alternative and Nutritional |
| A regular dip could benefit fibromyalgia sufferers. Patients suffering from fibromyalgia could benefit significantly from regular exercise in a heated swimming pool. EurekAlert! 02/21/08. |
| Effects of mud-bath treatment on fibromyalgia patients: a randomized clinical trial. A significant improvement after mud-bath therapy and after 16 weeks was observed. (IngentaConnet) Rheumatology International, Vol 27, No 12, Oct 2007 , pp. 1157-1161(5). |
| Mindfulness meditation alleviates depressive symptoms in women with fibromyalgia: Results of a randomized clinical trial. Depressive symptoms improved significantly in treatment versus control participants over the 3 assessments. This meditation-based intervention alleviated depressive symptoms among patients with fibromyalgia. Wlley InterScience: Arthritis Care & Research Volume 57, Issue 1 , Pages 77 - 85. (Also see: Alternative Remedies) |
| Acupuncture relieves symptoms of fibromyalgia, Mayo Clinic study finds. Evidence suggests acupuncture reduces the symptoms of fibromyalgia, according to a Mayo Clinic study. EurekaAlert! 06/14/06. (Also see: Alternative Therapies) |
| Musculoskeletal conditions and complementary/alternative medicine (CAM). Collectively the evidence demonstrates that some CAM modalities show significant promise, e.g. acupuncture, diets, herbal medicine, homoeopathy, massage, supplements. None of the treatments in question is totally devoid of risks. PubMed. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Aug;18(4):539-56. (Also see:Alternative Therapies) |
| Hypothesis. Dietary Glutamate Will Not Affect Pain in Fibromyalgia. Based on present knowledge about glutamate consumption and its metabolism in humans, dietary reduction of glutamate will not accomplish pain relief in patients with FM. J Rheumatol. April 2004;31:785-7. |
| FMS: General Management |
| Is There Benefit in Referring Patients with Fibromyalgia to a Specialist Clinic? An important value of specialist rheumatology contact for patients with a symptom suggestive of diffuse musculoskeletal pain is to ensure that some other potentially treatable condition is not overlooked, rather than the provision of ongoing care for those with FM. Continued followup in a specialist clinic for patients with a primary diagnosis of FM is of questionable benefit. J Rheumatol. December 2004;31:2468-71. |
| Fibromyalgia: present to future. Before 1990, and for most of the 20th century, fibromyalgia was considered to be predominantly a muscle disorder; now the critical abnormality is described as "central sensitization." Clinicians also recognize an association between the initiation of fibromyalgia and chronic psychologic stressors and inflammatory disorders. PubMed. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004 Oct;8(5):379-84. |
| History of fibromyalgia: past to present. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is now a recognized clinical entity causing chronic and disabling pain. The first American College of Rheumatology criteria were published in 1990 and neurohormonal mechanisms with central sensitization were developed in the 1990s. Serotonergic/norepinephric drugs were first shown to be effective in 1986. PubMed. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004 Oct;8(5):369-78. |
| FMS and Exercise |
| Exercise And Education Helps Women With Fibromyalgia. An exercise program that incorporates walking, strength training and stretching may improve daily function and alleviate symptoms in women with fibromyalgia, according to a new article. (ScienceDaily) JAMA and Archives Journals (2007, November 13). |
| Effects of Exercise in Warm Water on Pain and Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged Women with Fibromyalgia (FM). An exercise therapy three times per week for 16 weeks in a chest-high pool of warm water is an adequate treatment to decrease the pain and to improve cognitive function in previously unfit women with FM. D. Munguía-Izquierdo. OP0037-AHP EULAR 2007. (Also see: Pain Management) |
| From start to Fitness. Exercise can help in the management of fibromyalgia. Although it may be painful, the more that exercise is repeated over time, the greater the possibility of a decrease in symptoms. Union Sentinel. 04/12/06. |
| Exercise in waist-high warm water decreases pain and improves health-related quality of life and strength in the lower extremities in women with fibromyalgia. To evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of exercise therapy in a warm, waist-high pool in women with fibromyalgia. The therapy relieved pain and improved HRQOL and muscle strength in the lower limbs at low velocity in patients with initial low muscle strength and high number of tender points. PubMed 02/15/06. |
| Fibromyalgia: effect of exercise. The results from the studies are inconsistent but low-intensity aerobic exercise regimens were found to be one of the few effective treatments. PubMed. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Oct 7;124(19):2475-8. |
| The Efficacy of Mindfulness Meditation Plus Qigong Movement Therapy in the Treatment of Fibromyalgia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. While both groups showed improvement on a number of outcome variables, there was no evidence that the multimodal mind-body intervention for FM was superior to education and support as a treatment option. J Rheumatol NO. 10 OCTOBER 2003;30:2257-62. |
| FMS: Medications and Treatments |
| Efficacy of Milnacipran in Patients with Fibromyalgia. In this Phase II study, milnacipran led to statistically significant improvements in pain and other symptoms of FM. The effect sizes were equal to those previously found with TCA, and the drug was generally well tolerated. J Rheumatol. 2005 October;32:1975-85. |
| Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Review of Clinical Presentation, Pathogenesis, Outcome Measures, and Treatment. The multifaceted nature of FM suggests that multimodal individualized treatment programs may be necessary to achieve optimal outcomes in patients with this syndrome. J Rheumatol. 2005 August;32 Suppl 75:6-21. |
| A Randomized Controlled Trial of Dehydroepiandrosterone in Postmenopausal Women with Fibromyalgia. DHEA does not improve quality of life, pain, fatigue, cognitive function, mood, or functional impairment in FM. J Rheumatol. 2005 July;32;1336-40. |
| Touch the pain away: new research on therapeutic touch and persons with fibromyalgia syndrome. Therapeutic touch may be an effective treatment for relieving pain and improving quality of life in this specific population of persons with fibromyalgia syndrome. PubMed. Holist Nurs Pract. 2004 May-Jun;18(3):142-51. |
| Electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression and fibromyalgia. We conclude that ECT is a safe and effective treatment for depression in fibromyalgia patients, but has no effect on the pain or other physical symptoms of these patients. PubMed. Eur J Pain. 2004 Aug;8(4):371-6. |
| A new treatment modality for fibromyalgia syndrome: hyperbaric oxygen therapy. We conclude that HBO therapy has an important role in managing FMS. PubMed. J Int Med Res. 2004 May-Jun;32(3):263-7. |
| No Effect of Antiviral (Valacyclovir) Treatment in Fibromyalgia: A Double Blind, Randomized Study. Valacyclovir cannot be recommended as a therapy for FM at this point. J Rheumatol. April 2004;31:783-4. |
| Duloxetine May Be Effective for Treatment of Fibromyalgia Symptoms. Duloxetine, a drug being studied for treatment of depression, appears to be an effective and safe treatment for symptoms of fibromyalgia in patients with or without major depressive disorder (MDD), especially women, researchers said here on March 4th at the American Academy of Pain Medicine 20th Annual Meeting. Doctor's Guide. 03/05/04. |
| Related Symptoms or Disorders |
| Autoimmune, Arthritis or Rheumatic |
| Autoimmune Fibromyalgia may occur by itself or along with any other autoimmune, arthritis or rheumatic disorder, including scleroderma. ISN. |
| Is there a predisposition for the development of autoimmune diseases in patients with fibromyalgia (FM)? Retrospective analysis with long term follow-up. The risk of connective tissue disease (CTD) is not increased in FM. The detection of ANA (antinuclear antibodies) does not predict the development of CTD. However, in individual cases, FM may be an early sign of an autoimmune disease. (IngentaConnect) Rheumatology International, Vol 27, No 11, Sept 2007 , pp. 1031-1039(9). (Also see Connective Tissue Disease) |
| Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Fibromyalgia |
| Symptom overlap and comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome with other conditions. Symptom overlap and comorbidity between IBS and other gastrointestinal motility disorders are frequent. PubMed. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2005 Aug;7(4):264-71. (Also see: Bowel Involvement) |
| Fibromyalgia: the gastrointestinal link. Patients with fibromyalgia (FM) frequently have gastrointestinal symptoms and signs. Of those patients with FM, 30% to 70% have concurrent IBS. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth is associated with hyperalgesia and IBS-like complaints, is common in FM, and responds transiently to antimicrobial therapy. PubMed. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2004 Oct;8(5):364-8. |
| Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder) and Fibromyalgia |
| Clinical evaluation of 30 patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) complicated by fibromyalgia (FM). Approximately 11% of patients with IC have a complication of FM. They feel isolated due to the lack of understanding of the disease and endure generalized intolerable pain. PubMed. Nippon Hinyokika Gakkai Zasshi. 2005 Jul;96(5):554-9. (Also see: Interstitial Cystitis) |
| The relationship between fibromyalgia and interstitial cystitis. These data suggest that IC and fibromyalgia have significant overlap in symptomatology...Although central mechanisms have been suspected to contribute to the pathogenesis of fibromyalgia for some time, we speculate that these same types of mechanisms may be operative in IC, which has traditionally been felt to be a bladder disorder. J Psychiatr Res 1997 Jan-Feb;31(1):125-31. (Also see: Interstitial Cystitis) |
| Lupus and Fibromyalgia |
| Number of Fibromyalgia Tender Points Is Associated with Health Status in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. A strong association between the number of FM TP and health status was found in patients with SLE. The number of TP, and not just the presence/absence of FM, is associated with health status in SLE. J Rheumatol. NO. 1 January 2005;32:48-50. (Also see: Lupus) |
| Scleroderma and Fibromyalgia |
| Microcirculation abnormalities in patients with fibromyalgia - measured by capillary microscopy and laser fluxmetry. The peripheral blood flow in FM patients was much less than in healthy controls but did not differ from that of SSc patients. The data suggest that functional disturbances of microcirculation are present in FM patients and that morphological abnormalities may also influence their microcirculation. PubMed. Arthritis Res Ther. 2005;7(2):R209-16. (Also see: What is Scleroderma?) |
| Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Fibromyalgia |
| Temporomandibular Joint Disorder and Other Medically Unexplained Symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Fibromyalgia. It would be helpful if clinicians would resume using and teaching tender point assessments in patients whose unexplained symptoms may be due to referred pain. J. Rheumatol. 2005 Dec;32:2288. Editorial: Hugh A Smythe, MD, FRCPC. (Also see: Dental Involvement) |
| Disability Information for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia |
| CFS/FMS Objective Medical Evidence Requirements for Disability Adjudication Regarding Social Security Disability in the U.S. Susan M. Daniels, Ph. D. |
| Research about CFS and FMS |
| Cardiovascular Reactivity in Fibromyalgia: Evidence for Pathogenic Heterogeneity. Study of cardiovascular reactivity utilizing a head-up tilt test and processing the data using the FRAS method did not reveal a specific FM-associated abnormality. J. Rheumatol No. 2 February 2005;32:335-9. |
| Stress and autonomic dysregulation in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis of a hyporeactive stress system in FMS patients for both peripherally and centrally mediated stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system. PubMed. Schmerz. 2004 May 12. |
| CFS: Psychological and Sociological Research |
| Sleep structure and sleepiness in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with or without co-existing fibromyalgia. CFS patients had significant differences in polysomnograpic findings from healthy controls and felt sleepier and more fatigued than controls after a night's sleep. This difference was due to a decrease in the length of periods of uninterrupted sleep in the patients with more sleepiness in the morning than on the night before. Arthritis Research & Therapy May 12 2008, 10:R56. |
| Do Employment and Family Work Affect the Health Status of Women with Fibromyalgia? As in community studies, employed women with FM report better health status than women who are not employed. The demands of family work exert a serious and significant effect on every dimension of health status and should be the focus of greater clinical attention. J Rheumatol. VOLUME 30: NO. 9 SEPTEMBER 2003;30:2045-53. |
| FMS: Psychological and Sociological Research |
| Sleep-Disordered Breathing Among Women With Fibromyalgia Syndrome. A large proportion of women with fibromyalgia in a general rheumatology practice had sleep-disordered breathing, which can be detected using sleep polysomnograms. Journal of Clinical Rheumatology. 12(6):277-281, December 2006.(Also see: Sleep Disorders). |
| Fibromyalgia in Men: Comparison of Psychological Features with Women. There was no significant difference between men and women with FM in their psychological status. J Rheumatol. December 2004;31:2464-7. |
| Fibromyalgia in Men and the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In male patients, PTSD is highly associated with FM. Howard Amital. OP0029 EULAR 2004. |
| Patient-Physician Discordance in Fibromyalgia. There is a gap between what patients with FM and rheumatologists examining them experience during the office visit. J Rheumatol NO. 6 JUNE 2003; 30:1326-34. |
| FMS Medical Research: Pain |
| Is Fibromyalgia a Neuropathic Pain Syndrome? The fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) seems an unlikely candidate for classification as a neuropathic pain. The disorder is diagnosed based on a compatible history and the presence of multiple areas of musculoskeletal tenderness. J Rheumatol. 2005 August;32 Suppl 75:38-40. |
| Aspects of Diurnal Rhythmicity in Pain, Stiffness, and Fatigue in Patients with Fibromyalgia. This has important implications for scheduling activities of daily living, for measurement in clinical trials, and possibly for timing the administration of medications. J Rheumatol No. 2 Feb 2004;31:379-89 |
| Support for CFS/FMS |
| Arthritis Foundation. Support groups and information on arthritis illnesses. |
| The National Fibromyalgia Partnership, Inc. (NFP) is the largest non-profit, membership organization for fibromyalgia (FM) in the United States. It provides medically accurate information on FM to individuals with fibromyalgia and their families, health care professionals, and the general public —both nationwide and in many other countries. |
| CFS/FMS Stories |
| Do you have Fibromyalgia or CFS? Submit your story to help raise awareness and share support with others. |
| Alegria: Fibromyalgia (Israel) My hands, legs and shoulders hurt in a very distinctive manner; my fingers are paralyzed with pain, and sometimes I get strong headaches... |
| (Español/Spanish) Alegria: Fibromialgia Me duelen las manos, las piernas, los hombros, de maner extraña; los dedos se me paralizan del dolor, y en ocasiones me duele la cabeza... |
| Amy B: Limited Scleroderma with CREST I am a full time pharmacist in a pediatric hospital. In February or March of this year, I began to be very intolerable of the cold... |
| More CFS/FMS story listings.... |
