I have both conditions. There is a great number of CFS patients with Fibro as well. I don't have exact stats on what percentage, but I know lots of people on this site who have both. We're glad to have you. God bless you too.

I would guess, a lot too. Many symptoms overlap: So initially when I became symptomatic nobody knew what was wrong: Then I was diagnosed with allergies and depression, neither of which explained the symptoms, then with chronic fatigue syndrome, then fibromaylgia and finally with UCTD an autoimmune disorder.
I think it depends on who is diagnosing you.
It's really too bad that there isn't more research and advocacy in this area.

Thank you both for your response !! Here to an energy pain free filled day !! Blessings and a gentle hug to you . PJ

I have both PLUS hypo-thyroidism...The Big Triple Play!!! UGH

I have both but only got my dx for fibro about 4 yrs ago. I was dx with myofascial pain syndrome in 2003 and Hashi's and 3 other autoimmunes within the last 5 yrs.
It's all about inflammation starts low gets worse..

I only have CFS. Sometimes when I'm reading threads here I feel like I'm in the minority.

Hi!!

I know there is a lot of overlap between the two illnesses. I have a lot of friends with just CFS, which is what I have. I do not have fibro!! My daughter does, however, and we can tell you that the real difference between the two conditions is the pain factor. My fibro friends have pain that I do not have.

I, on the other hand, become bedridden with the "cement in the limbs" feeling and inability to function, when some of my fibro friends, and my daughter, are able to manage their pain and function a bit better than me at times.

It's confusing. I know there's a cross over between the two. We both have the "fog", we both suffer the fatigue, but I think the distinguishing difference, is the fibro friends have great pain, and the CFS friends are like paralyzed with exhaustion.

Both illnesses do overlap, and both are horrible, life robbing things to deal with. I am so glad we have this forum to talk about these things!

God bless you all! xo

I have both, but the CFS symptoms are the most disabling for me. In my opinion, CFS and Fibro are part of the same illness.

I was diagnosed in 2010 with Fibro after 20 plus years of unexplained symptoms. On a follow up visit I asked about my fatigue issues. My rheumatologist said that many times one goes hand in hand with the other. So I guess I don't know if I have the official diagnosis or not. But that's what I was told.

As I read other people's posts my symptoms may not be as bad as some, but it certainly is quality of life damaging.

I have pain in my body fairly constantly but it's not severe and my old doctor of 12 years diagnosed me with fibro as well as severe cfs . However, I don't believe I have fibro and don't accept his diagnosis.However, the cfs is my constant battle. I like Darla's description of "cement limbs". When I'm crashed that's exactly how it feels . I'm crashed in bed at present and my whole body is like one big slab of concrete.Help!!

Both.

CFS was suspected first (after ruling out other causes) because the fatigue developed suddenly. No amount of sleep made that go away. I also realized that normal activity caused spikes in the chronic fatigue that sent me to bed with many symptoms including that "lead weight muscles" feeling (aka "crash"). After about 9-10 months, overall pain increased gradually, and trigger points were found during an exam, so that was diagnosed separately as FM. Usually a CFS flare triggers the FM symptoms, and the reverse, but I usually can tell which one started it. Now I have chronic insomnia, too. I've given up on ever feeling rested. I have tried many medications, but without much success as I am extremely drug sensitive. Changing as well as failing medication trials have set off severe flares. Being sick like this with not much quality of life (a lot of time housebound) has also created much anxiety and many sad days. Has anyone tried Buspar (Buspirone) to help with the stress of these illnesses?

i am going to the doctor this tuesday to check if i have fibro. always had neck & shoulder pain from CFS, but i thought was from my careers also. (personal training, massage therapist & playing sports all my life.

i started having nerve pain in both arms in january . totally different than what i have been experiencing. will let you know

Butterfly,

I had a very bad reaction to Buspar years ago. Everyone is different with medication, I am sensitive as well so it's trial and error.

Good luck finding something that helps.

Blessings, PJ

From my understanding, CFS and Fibro are the same condition. The difference is whether your main symptoms is fatigue or pain. If it is fatigue, they say you have CFS, if it is pain, they say you have Fibro. In addition, many with CFS have pain and many Fibro have fatigue.
Hope that works.