| The primary symptom of Fibromyalgia (FM) is pain, | | | | frequently have Irritable Bowel Syndrome. |
| and the primary symptom of Chronic Fatigue | | | | Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, |
| Syndrome (CFS) is extreme fatigue. | | | | bloating and nausea are symptoms characteristic of |
| There are many other symptoms that are commonly | | | | IBS. Acid reflux is also commonly associated with CFS |
| experienced by people who suffer from these | | | | and FM. |
| illnesses. Some people may have some of them and | | | | - Chronic headaches - People with these disorders |
| others may have all of them. Generally, in order to be | | | | often report regular migraine or tension-type |
| diagnosed, one would have at least four of these | | | | headaches. |
| symptoms. | | | | - Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Syndrome - |
| - Fatigue - This symptom is more characteristic of | | | | This syndrome, also known as TMJ causes chronic |
| Chronic Fatigue Syndrome than Fibromyalgia, but is a | | | | jaw, face and head pain, and is common for CFS and |
| key symptom of FM symptom as well. A complete | | | | FM sufferers. It may be the jaw itself, or it may be |
| exhaustion is experienced. A total drain of energy in | | | | the muscles and ligaments that surround and support |
| the body and brain is often depicted by sufferers. | | | | the jaw that ache and cause pain. |
| Arms and legs may feel like bricks, and just walking | | | | - Sore Throat - A chronic sore throat is associated |
| out the door can be a grueling activity. It may feel as | | | | with these disorders. It may be accompanied by |
| though you have done a strenuous workout for | | | | swollen glands, fever, or a general flu-like feeling. |
| hours after simply doing walking up the stairs. | | | | Some people's sore throat is the result of an |
| When activities or exercise are carried out, the body | | | | infection that can be tested for. Others people's sore |
| often does not have the fuel to cope. One day or | | | | throat is not caused by a diagnosable infection, but is |
| more of total collapse and no activity may be | | | | just a general symptom of being under the weather. |
| needed to recuperate. | | | | - Premenstrual syndrome - Water retention, |
| - Pain - Pain is the primary symptom for people with | | | | horrendous mood swings, painful cramps, and |
| Fibromyalgia, but is very common in people with | | | | headaches may be experienced before or during the |
| Chronic Fatigue. A deep aching, throbbing, shooting, | | | | period. |
| and stabbing are often described by patients. They | | | | - Brain Fog - A general inability to concentrate is |
| may feel as though they have been beaten up or | | | | often described by people with these disorders. They |
| lifted heavy weights. The pain and stiffness can be | | | | may experience chronic forgetfulness, short term |
| excruciating and all consuming, and are often worse in | | | | memory loss, and an inability to think clearly. |
| the morning. | | | | - Chemical Sensitivities - People with Chronic Fatigue |
| Most of the pain is in the muscles, ligaments, | | | | and Fibromyalgia often report increased sensitivity to |
| tendons, and joints. However, this pain is not due to | | | | chemicals such as perfume, money, or toiletries. |
| swelling, and does not cause deformity. | | | | - Altered Moods - Depression, anxiety, mood swings, |
| - Sleeping Problems - Non refreshing sleep is a | | | | aggressive behavior, extreme stress and irritability |
| common symptom, which is characterized as feeling | | | | are common symptoms of CFS and FM. |
| exhausted upon waking up. A sleep disorder called | | | | - Food Intolerances - Sensitivities to foods can |
| the alpha-EEG anomaly has been identified through a | | | | suddenly appear for people who have these |
| machine that records brain waves of patients during | | | | disorders. They may feel their mood change or |
| sleep. | | | | digestive discomfort when eating foods that may |
| Researchers have found that falling asleep is not | | | | have previously not caused problems. Whether the |
| necessarily an issue, but the deep level (also called | | | | foods are a symptom or part of the cause is not |
| stage 4 or non REM) sleep is interrupted by bursts of | | | | fully established. They may also be very sensitive to |
| brain activity that is similar to being awake. This | | | | medications, herbs, vitamins, or other remedies that |
| means that no matter how much sleep they have | | | | are prescribed. |
| had, it doesn't feel satisfying. | | | | - Irritable Bladder - A sudden desperate need to |
| Many sufferers may have other sleep disorders such | | | | urinate, urinating without the feeling to go, or needing |
| as sleep apnea, (interrupted breathing), jerking arms | | | | to go very often and many times through the night |
| and legs, and restless leg syndrome (difficulty sitting | | | | may all be symptoms of CFS and FM. |
| still in the evenings). A lack of sleep or insomnia, even | | | | - Sensitivity To Stimuli - People with CFS and FM |
| after being extremely tired is often experienced. | | | | report sensitivity to odors, bright lights, loud noises, |
| Digestive Problems - People with these conditions | | | | changes in weather or other environmental changes. |