What is the relationship of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, or chronic myofascial pain to other disorders you might have? Why is it so important?

Coexisting health problems can be of great aggravation to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, and chronic myofascial pain from trigger points or to each other. It is important to identify what makes what worse. This includes additional disorders in the same person. An accurate and complete account of your condition to your physician and other healthcare providers will provide the information needed to make your treatment plan as comprehensive as possible. Common coexisting conditions, which are conditions that seem to occur more frequently with certain disorders, such as, fibromyalgia (FM), chronic fatigue immunodysfunction (CFID), and/or chronic myfascial pain (CMP), are discussed in our book. We also talk about some of the disorders that can mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, and chronic myofascial pain. This is important because a misdiagnosis can delay appropriate treatment and can be financially and emotionally exhausting.

Identifying and controlling co-existing disorders, or diseases, is important, as is identification of possible aggravating factors for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, and/or chronic myofascial pain. Do any of the following aggravating factors sound familiar to you?

• activity level - too little or overexertion
• allergies, uncontrolled
• anxiety or depression
• barometric pressure changes or fluctuations
• chemical exposure
• coexisting conditions – by nature or poor management of
• coping mechanisms – lack of healthy ones, or inappropriate ones
• diet deficiency - improper diet or diet consisting of specific known food triggers
• exercise – too much, too little, or the wrong kind
• infection
• medications
• metabolic and endocrine dysfunction (i.e., thyroid problems, hypoglycemia, diabetes, anemia, mononucleosis)
• neglect of spiritual or emotional needs
• poor posture
• PMS
• rapid body position changes
• seasonal affect disorder
• situational crisis
• skeletal structural deformities & lack of corrective measures
• sleep disorders including sleep apnea, deprivation, and disrupted sleep order
• stress management - lack of or inappropriate coping
• symptom neglect
• tight clothing, including ill-fitting shoes
• trauma
• treatment plan for the disorder – lack of any or lack of participation
• trigger points - neglect
• unhealthy environmental exposure (i.e., excessive sun, smoke, allergens, noises)
• unprotected exposure to cold

Fibromyalgia is a perpetual central sensitization state that can set the stage for the development of chronic myofascial pain from chronic trigger points, which in turn perpetually bombards the central nervous system with notices that something is out of whack. This deluge of impulses increases the sensitivity of the brain and spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. It is a vicious cycle.

Evidence suggests fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue immunodysfunction are centrally mediated, so one could easily conclude that chronic myofascial pain from trigger points can, and most likely does, coexist with chronic fatigue immunodysfunction in some patients. Even though chronic fatigue immunodysfunction and chronic myofascial pain are not studied together, the co-existence could certainly explain, at least in some subsets of patients, the myalgia associated with chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, just like the aggravation from migraine, irritable bowel syndrome or any other one of the many possible coexisting conditions. The presence of chronic myofascial pain from trigger points must be considered in both the fibromyalgia and the chronic fatigue immunodysfunction patient.

Chronic pain disorders are not limited to fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue immunodysfunction, or chronic myofascial pain. Understanding theory and etiology can have a significant impact on research and future discoveries. Some other syndromes under this umbrella are Gulf War Syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, and Post-Polio Syndrome.

If you are interested in understanding how other typical co-existing and/or mimicking conditions affect you, and want a ready reference specific to your needs, be on watch for the publication of Integrative Therapies for Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Myofascial Pain:
The Mind-Body Connection.