The distinctions between Fibromyalgia (FM) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) are very difficult to arrive at. In fact, not only are these terms used interchangeably, but also one is sometimes juxtaposed with the other like "Fibromylagia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome." Nonetheless, these disorders are classed as separate disorders. A true test in determining "which is which" may be done by observing your symptoms and the conditions under which it developed, and comparing it with the dominant symptoms of Fibromyalgia or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

The distinctive symptoms of fibromyalgia are persistent, generalized pain and tender points of the body even against light touch. The patient may also suffer from oversensitivity of the skin (also called allodynia), needle-like sensations over the skin, painful muscle tissues, abnormally long duration of spasm in the muscle, lack of strength in the limbs, and pain in the nerves.

Likewise, persistent sleep disorders are also attributes of fibromyalgia. Some studies have shown that the brain patterns of sleeping fibromyalgia patients have periods of being similar to brain activity when awake. This prevents sleep from being restorative and you wake up feeling non-refreshed. Also, stages where sleep is deeper (stages 3 &4) are often reduced, sometimes considerably. All of this adds to the daytime fatigue.

There are a number of theories as to how Fibromyalgia can develop; as a result of some injuries, major operation or virus. Some evidence seems to establish that Lyme Disease could be a cause. Nevertheless, there is at present, no established relationship between any particular type of cause and the onset of the symptoms.

Symptoms can have a slow development, and sufferers can initially have mild symptoms during childhood, which are often diagnosed as growing pains, however when these continue on into adulthood it can be a sign of fibromyalgia. Symptoms are often made worse if another illness or condition impacts the body, or even when the climate changes.

The syndrome does not result in inflammation like in rheumatoid arthritis, although some anti-inflammatory treatments, such as Ibuprofen and Iontophoresis, could provisionally help to ease the pain.

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For CFS there are a number of symptoms, many of which do overlap with fibromyalgia symptoms, including:

* Fatigue: People with CFS experience deep, incapacitating exhaustion mentally and physically, which is aggravated by physical exertion. This feeling of exhaustion does not disappear through rest. In order to arrive at a diagnosis of CFS, this fatigue should be felt for not less than six months.

* Pain: Pain in CFS may be in the muscles, joints (without swelling or redness), lymph node pain, and irritable bowel syndrome is common. Patients also complain of sore throats and chest pain.

* Cognitive problems: people with CFS may be forgetful and confused. They may also have difficulty in thinking and focusing. The verbal skills of individuals with this syndrome can also appear to be affected.

* Hypersensitivity: people with CFS are more often than not, overly sensitive to light, sound, and multiple chemicals and foods. Many CFS sufferers complain of oversensitivity to foods, odors, substances, and medications, which can make treatment more difficult. Patients with pre-existing allergies and conditions such as asthma usually complain of heightened symptoms. Patients also complain of oversensitivity of the senses resulting to abnormal tiredness, migraines, and even seizures.

* Poor temperature control: people with CFS often complain that it is too hot or too cold, probably due to the affected hypothalamus, which is the area responsible for controlling the body's temperature. Many CFS patients even report of frequent fever-like symptoms.

* Sleep problems: "Unrefreshing sleep" and rest are indications of CFS, and inability to sleep is also common. Having a regular sleep schedule is likewise very hard for CFS sufferers.

Patients also complain that exercise only worsens their condition, instead of arresting their insomnia.

The overlap between these two conditions is great a figure of 75% similarity between the two conditions being suggested. So although fibromyalgia chronic fatigue are two different conditions they are not mutually exclusive. The treatment options for both these conditions are also very similar.