Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (”CFS”) is probably the condition that is most confused with fibromyalgia (”FMS”) because of the large overlap of symptoms. Because there are so many similar symptoms and so many patients suffer from both CFS and FMS simultaneously, a diagnosis for either can be difficult to nail down.

The Connection Between CFS and FMS

A patient with chronic fatigue syndrome will complain first and foremost about the exhaustion they suffer. Their energy level is completely sapped by CFS, even if they haven’t been active. An FMS sufferer will most likely list the fatigue as their secondary symptom; pain is the main complaint. When patients are suffering symptoms from both conditions, doctors can find it difficult to distinguish between them. The main difference between these two syndromes is the primary complaint. With CFS the emphasis is on fatigue and with FMS, the emphasis is on pain.

Treating Chronic Fatigue

CFS has no cure, but the condition does appear to improve eventually in most people. Some patients are treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and low doses of antidepressants. They can also be given antiviral medications or antibiotics. Mild forms of exercise can be recommended, but it needs to be approached slowly since CFS patients easily tire with little to no activity.  Weight loss can also help with the fatigue.

Living With Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia

Individuals suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia have a battle on their hands. The symptoms suffered can make dealing with daily routines difficult. One simple step to dealing with the fatigue and pain is to avoid tackling difficult tasks on days when you are experiencing flare-ups of symptoms. Save these tasks for days when you are feeling better.

The pain and fatigue can often be improved with one change: get more sleep.

Most FMS and CFS patients will roll their eyes at this statement because that is always their main focus. You know you need more sleep, but it can be so elusive. Keeping a bedtime routine can be helpful, and getting up the same time every day whenever possible. Getting your body’s clock set to a sleep schedule can help to avoid those long nights. Not eating close to bedtime is important, and avoiding caffeine late in the day will also help you fall asleep faster. When looking for tips to help with your sleep, try and evaluate whether you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. Keeping a sleep journal may help to judge this. Write down how many hours you sleep, what you ate that day and when, and what your bedtime routine entailed. You may be able to find a pattern on the nights you are not sleeping well. Visit my Improving Your Sleep page for more tips on getting a better nights’ sleep.

As with any condition, if you are making some lifestyle changes and you are still not getting a restful night’s sleep, it may be time to discuss it with your doctor.

Fibro Fog

Although this condition is entitled “fibro fog,” it can really affect anyone who is not sleeping well. Fibro fog is basically the mental confusion someone suffers from lack of sleep. This is not from one bad night, this is an accumulation of many nights where your body is not getting the REM sleep it needs. It is not a psychological condition, nor is it associated with any deterioration of brain functions. It is simply your body’s inability to function when it does not get the proper amount of sleep. When the body is in a normal sleep pattern and REM sleep is achieved, the body restores itself and information is assimilated by the brain. Patients do not regularly reach this restorative level of sleep, leaving some gaps in memory and function.

Some symptoms of fibro fog include:

• mental fatigue
• lack of concentration
• short attention span
• disorientation
• impaired short term memory

These symptoms may vary daily, just like the other symptoms of FMS and CFS. This can often be one of the most aggravating symptoms to deal with, because it will affect everything you do. Acknowledging the days when you are most likely to suffer from fibro fog can help you deal with its effects.

When you feel like the fibro fog may be moving in, take extra care to make lists for the day. Keeping a calendar or PDA around will help you avoid missing important dates. Knowing these are around for you to depend on may also relieve some of the stress you feel on the days when the fog sets in, leaving you less anxious and able to focus on other tasks. Make it a habit to put things in their place. For example, your glasses. If you put them in the same spot whenever you take them off, you will be less likely to misplace them when you are having one of your off days. I have known people to buy one of the chains to keep their glasses on, then they are always around their neck when they need them!

Your diet may also affect your decreased mental focus. Foods containing caffeine, sugar, or artificial additives may also agitate the symptoms of fibro fog. Acknowledge that fibro fog will come along with lack of sleep and do what you can to help yourself function as normally as possible on days when it may flare-up.

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