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Could you help my sister and I understand something? She has fibromyalgia. I have myofascial pain syndrome. We both hurt all over. What's the difference between these two problems?
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Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a noninflammatory, nonarthritic condition. It's characterized by generalized aches and pain in the joints and muscles. Most people with fibromyalgia say that even tender touch can set off their symptoms.
Patients with FMS also report many other symptoms along with their musculoskeletal distress. This can include headaches, intestinal problems, poor sleep at night, sense of swelling in the hands or feet, and anxiety/depression to name just a few.
Most people with fibromyalgia syndrome have tender points in the same spot on both sides of the body. There are nine possible places where tenderness can be palpated for a total of 18 when you count both sides. Anyone with 11 of those total tender points along with other associated signs and symptoms is likely to have fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is different from myofascial pain. FMS is considered a systemic problem. The nervous system and its communication pathways with other systems seem to be off kilter. That's why the multiple tender points are accompanied by a cluster of signs and symptoms from many other systems.
Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is more of a local condition. Only the muscles are involved. Any muscle group can be affected. There can be one or a dozen painful points called trigger points (TrPs). Whereas myofascial pain syndrome has TrPs, fibromyalgia syndrome has tender points.
Both disorders cause aching muscle pain and tenderness. Both have similar local histologic (microscopic cellular) changes in the muscle. Painful symptoms in both conditions are increased with activity. However, fibromyalgia is more of a generalized aching. Myofascial pain is more localized (you can put your finger on it and reproduce the symptoms).
Fibromyalgia is also very similar to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). There is a mix of symptoms that are the same for both. However, chronic fatigue syndrome focuses on fatigue, whereas fibromyalgia syndrome focuses on pain. Many people have more than one of these three conditions at the same time. For example, it's possible to have fibromyalgia AND myofascial pain syndrome. Or, a patient may have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Most people with myofascial pain syndrome just have the one condition.
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