Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and FM have many similarities. In fact, it is not uncommon for a person to have both conditions. Some experts believe that the two conditions are variations of the same disorder. Both CFS and FM have pain and fatigue as symptoms.

The main symptom of CFS is extreme fatigue. CFS seems to often begin following an episode of flu-like symptoms. People with CFS only do not have the tender points that people with FM have. The criteria for diagnosing CFS are chronic fatigue for at least 6 months plus 4 or more other typical CFS symptoms such as muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, tender lymph nodes, problems with thinking, and sleep problems.