Fibromyalgia pain is generally widespread and chronic. The fatigue that CFS sufferers experience is highly profound and can actually be totally crippling.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is often activated by an infectious illness and even sometimes after surgery or trauma. Fibromyalgia, however, is usually activated by a trauma, not as often by an infectious illness.
While it is mainly women who suffer from either disorder, women are more likely to have fibromyalgia at a 9 to 1 ratio than chronic fatigue syndrome at a 7 to 3 ratio.
Chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia are thought to be separate but related conditions. What they share is severe fatigue that disrupts the normal rhythm of day-to-day life.
The connection between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is so profound that some researchers say that if a fibromyalgia patient can improve their sleep, their fibromyalgia symptoms will get better. If you have fibromyalgia-related fatigue or think you have CFS, it makes sense to get screened for other causes of fatigue like thyroid issues or anemia.
While many people rely on sleeping pills to get some sleep at night, they are definitely not a long-term solution. And, if you area dealing with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia or CFS, you likely understand that you will need it more sustainable intervention.
The first thing that you should do if you are experiencing chronic fatigue syptoms is to be screened for sleep-deprivation issues like snoring or breathing problems.