I am not sure if you could accurately separate the symptoms of Fibro and CFS, because there is such a wide range of intensity and variety of symptoms. I think both are part of a spectrum and belong to the same illness. In my case, the CFS was very prominent, with the FM pain setting in some time later.

Most of us recommend the book "Fibromyalgia for dummies", it will give you insight on both conditions. One word of caution about self help books: stay away from books that claim to have a cure for CFS/FM, by way of diet or lifestyle. One such book was called " From Fatigued to Fantastic!", and it claimed that the only reason you were still sick was that you obviously didn't diet or exercise enough. Sure, being sick is your own fault. Good grief.

When the brain is overwhelmed with pain signals from the fibro, you get fatigued.

I notice that on days when I don't get as much fibro pain, I have a lot more energy.

I don't believe CFS is a disease by itself. I believe it is a collection of symptoms caused by some other underlying disease(s) that the doctors have not identified.

I have to agree, they are so entwined and hard to separate from each other. I also have noticed when the pain is under control I am able to function better. Not running marathons or anything but not laying on the bed to recharge after just getting showered. Both seem to come in waves of severity but they do seem to intensify one another. I honestly can decide which I find more debilitating the fatigue or the pain...it's a toss up.

According to the internet sites (lol) they say they are separate. My first pain mgmt Dr. said they are the same. I don't think the experts really know.

Well, given the fatigue that comes with pain, I'd say that one is secondary to the first. But CFS stands alone. So.... until medical science figures out how things work on a large number of people, at a molecular level, accounting for a gazillion factors? I'm clueless.

Thank you all for your responses !! I agree with all of them.

Sometimes having people who understand and validate what I read and feel to be true due to how my body feels is a gift.

These conditions drive me crazy - literally sometimes :(

I appreciate each and everyone of you. I wish you a pain free, energy filled day.

I don't know much about just chronic fatigue, But I do know that fibro has given me a chronic fatigue.
If chronic fatigue is only being tired and / or lack of energy (of which I have now with fibro ) than i would rather have that than fibro.

Fibro has so many more symptoms than just feeling tired all thew time.

Restful sleep ?? what's that ?? Breathing without pain, confusion, forgetfulness, Senses gone a wild ...

I'm sorry can't help you I have never had chronic pain alone .

I think they're definitely related
For me I've had CFS for literally 20 yrs, I always tried to explain my fatigue to doctors and not until this past September did I finally get a diagnosis, fibro and CFS. I didn't start getting achy until about 6 yrs ago. I blamed being a HS cheerleader for 4 yrs, epidurals when having my kids, for all my lower back pain. And tendinitis in my shoulders, hips, and wrists. For me, the fatigue is horrible. I work FT with a 90 min commute so sat and sun can be depressing because there's so much I wanna do and just can't.