Posted , 4 users are following.
I know fibro and cfs can come together but I would like to know the difference between both as I feel I may also have cfs can anyone give me some idea how I would know if I had cfs?
0 likes, 8 replies
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millie88144 jayejaye75
Posted
Hi Jayejaye,
I have both Fibromyalgia and CFS. I was diagnosed with CFS in May 16 and fibromyalgia in December 2016. The way my consultant explained it was that the minute pain became the major symptom to cope with then the diagnosis was made for Fibromyalgia. Because I had severe CFS traits (Fatigue etc my diagnosis is that I have both, You can't diagnose it yourself it has to be a consultant who specialises in that area.
Kind regards,
Su
jayejaye75 millie88144
Posted
So it would be my doctor I see not my rheumatologist I'm confused as I was only diagnosed with fibro in September 16 I knew I had it with all the symptoms but I'm unsure with cfs hence why I need some input from sufferers like yourself. ..I have days I sleep all day nd this happens about 4 days out of 7 ..I get tired after doing things simple things a 2 min walk to the shop and back but I also have insomnia and stay awake all night I find it really difficult to find energy and my memory is absolutely useless (short term)
millie88144 jayejaye75
Posted
Hi again Jayejaye,
Your gp can only carry out tests to rule out other conditions that may be present, CFS and Fibromyalgia can only be diagnosed once many other conditions have been ruled out.This takes around 12months. I'm sure you know that anyway. Once you have explored all other avenues your gp will refer you to the appropriate specialist, usually Infectious disease for CFS or a Rheumatologist for Fibromyalgia. In my case after 12months of tests ordered by my GP I say an infectious disease consultant who carried out further tests and diagnosed CFS. At that time fatigue/tiredness/ concentration and problems with light and noise were my worst symptoms. That was May 2016, as the year went on my syptoms got much worse. I pretty much have everything listed under CFS but I developed severe pain/numbness in my feet and hands and many more symptoms of Fibromyalgia. My CFS consultant usually doesn't see patients again after diagnosis, however, the area I live in has a long waiting list for appointments with rheumatologists and though I am on the list for arthritis my CFS consultant agreed to see me again. Hence in December 2016 she saw me again and after further tests, checking for tender spots on my body and pin tests in my toes, ankles, chest and knees she said she was sure I also have Fibromyalgia. I queried her previous diagnosis and she explained that it is possible to suffer from both, your symptoms will be a mix of both. The key factor with Fibromyalgia is the overall body pain/unexplained numbness in areas of the body. Now I have lived with it for a while, I can pinpoint when the CFS is worse because I have far more fatigue insomuch that I sleep for several days in a row. Obviously exercise is out of the question because of the CFS (I was told not to exercise), whereas if it's pure Fibromyalgia exercise is beneficial (according to doctors),
I hope this helps.....
Kind regards,
Su
bronwyn97278 jayejaye75
Posted
Morning JayeJaye; I know that we don't seem to get the "combined diagnosis", and not sure why (maybe drs think Fibro covers the lot, or is enough on it's own??)
?I feel the same as you, and the reaon I feel that I have developed CFS is that my "energy levels" seem to have seriously dropped after having my Hysterectomy in 2005. I just Couldn't seem to "get back on track" and when re-entered hospital on advice from my Gynae, he employed the use of an Internal Physician: together they told me that "my symptoms appeared to be glandular fever, but not definitive".
?I find that any outing/exercise leaves me "completeely exhausted" for at least a week. To try and go the shops is something that "has to be planned well in advance, and then Nothing booked for at least a few days afterwards". The last time I went to a shopping centre was in November, and I lasted 2 hours, and half of that was spent sitting down, waiting for others. I am still getting over xmas day, and DO need my daily nap, even if it's just to give my body a rest.
?Hence, yes I do believe it can come with Fibro, and not sure if it was the major surgery, or, something that comes with it after a while. Bron
jayejaye75 bronwyn97278
Posted
Yeah I am sleeping a lot more and like you shopping trips really tire me out nd I can not go without a nap or even 2 during the day regardless if I've had 2 hours or 9 hours sleep at night when I do nap it can be upto 3 hours it's a nightmare and becoming worse as I'm sleeping more ...today I had 11 hours sleep woke up still feeling tired tried to fight going back to sleep all day but I had to eventually so had 3 hours it's stopping me doing al sorts I'm so confused as to wether it's fibro or cfs
painfulife jayejaye75
Posted
Hi Jayejaye75, I am in the same boat. My doctor diagnosed me with fibro and mild lupus symptoms but I feel I have CFS since my primary symptom is fatigue. In my experience most doctors don't believe in fibro or cfs and the ones that do they only diagnose you with fibro. None of my doctors even mentioned cfs.
Both fibro and cfs have very similar symptoms but in cfs fatigue is the main one and fibro its pain. For fibro there are some trigger points that doctors use as well. I would recommend getting a second opinion.
jayejaye75 painfulife
Posted
I feel I have both fibro and cfs as I do have pain but I also have joint hyper mobility and osteoarthritis so pain is a symptom I'm managing with Meds and stretching I know I will always have pain no matter what I do I've learned to accept that but the tiredness is driving me crazy I am definitely seeing my gp asap
painfulife jayejaye75
Posted
I hope things get better for you. For me due to exhaustion I get brain fog too and vyvanse has helped a lot. It gives a little energy but mostly I am able to have a clear mind if that makes sense. It's mostly used for ADHD but my doctor thought it would help me.