It is a shame that mostly these two illnesses (fibro/CMP) get linked together when being written about by the media and even by doctors.

My understanding is that this is not 'news', it has been known for some time that CMP should now be called CMP and NOT MPS because 'true' objective findings have been made that means it should be classified as a disease and not a syndrome.

I mean this observation is made in "Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial pain" by Starlanyl & Copeland and as far as I know that was published in 2001!

Might help us get taken a bit more seriously if people would now start acknowledging it a true 'disease'. Even the Dr that diagnosed my condition lumped FM & CMP together as one, but my own further reading (of freely available information) shows me they are clearly two distinct disorders, with different symptoms that require different treatment plan. - If they professionals can't 'get' the difference it doesn't leave us with much hope does it!

I just tell people I have muscle and joint problems that at times causes significant pain; they can draw their on conclusions from that. I simply do not have enough energy to be trying to educate others as to what my condition is, if they can't accept what I say on face value then they can f--- off!

The information I read concurs with 4's that CMP has been classified as a disease for awhile. I'm not sure why the word "disease" carries more weight than syndrome or disorder. There are many ailments that are recognized as being bad and they're "syndromes" such as diabetes and MS. However, most people don't realize that and consider diabetes and MS "diseases." I find it a curious phenomenon how society loves to label and categorize everything.

My insurance company uses the same code numbers for CMP as they do for fibro. The two conditions are married together throughout the medical community. It's difficult to find a health provider who understands them to be distinct. The treatment for releasing TrPs is different in a patient with fibro. Fibro patients are much more sensitive and easily flare.

I tell people that I have a muscle disease or a soft tissue disease. I don't expect understanding anymore.

From what I have read, those with CMP tend to have fixed patterns of pain and referred pain, the complain about pain in certain areas and it tends to be quite consistent.

Where as those with Fibro seem to have much more random pain; one day it is their arm, next day it is their leg, back, migraine or whatever.

These sites explains it better than I can, but simply CMP = neuromuscular problem, where as fibro is thought to be more of a central sensitisation problem.

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Chronic_Myofascial_Pain_Fibromyalgia_-_Often_Together_BUT_Miles_Apart.html

http://homepages.sover.net/~devstar/define.htm

One thing I am grateful for is the fact that the Drs I have met at least seem to take CMP more seriously than Fibro. It seems the Fibro patients have a bigger fight just to get believed.

I was DX's with CMP years ago at Mayo clinic. I have also been told I have Fibro, I believe I have both. I have NEVER met a Doc. in Indiana who will acknowledge CMP or that knows anything about it! That includes physical therapists and many specialists. They ALWAYS put fibro on my chart but never CMP! I have now started making them put CMP and explaining the difference; one is muscle and one is nerve! I just get a blank look. Makes me CRAZY!! I had one Doc. tell me CMP is just a less severe case of Fibro! What idiots!

I am so glad to hear the medical community is finally catching with what I have always known to be true.
I also have both CMP and Fibra. Had it for decades before ever getting diagnosed. And then it was just a fluke. I went to an Arthristis Doc and the xrays showed where I had arthritis but I told him I hurt more in places that didn't have arthritis. His reply was "Oh well that's MPS" I said whats that and he told me to "look it up". That was 12 years ago.
I spent most of my youth and into my 20's and 30's doing Yoga, Tai Chi. Taking vitamin suppliments and even those darn hot rocks that were so popular in the 80"s. During that time the only thing Doctors would say was to get more exercise. They didn't know any more than I did.
The relief that I got from those different things helped but as I've aged and cannot move as easily the pain has increased and yes stress, anxiety, depression all increase what I call "full body cramps".
The best trick I have is deep breathing and self hypnosis. The deep breathing I have to do with oxygen now, (COPD) the self hypnosis helps for me if I start with the top of my head and slowly relax my muscles down and visualize the pain seeping out of my toes like black smoke. Sounds corny but it has worked for me for the last 40 years or so. Of course all the Docs just nod their heads and say good good keep that up.
The knowledge of CMP and Fibra has expanded so much over the years. I'm glad the medical world is catching up.
Good day to all.

Meditation and self hypnosis are part of the tools in the pain management toolbox. The functional restorative program that I attended taught various techniques. I'm glad that it works for you.

I wish we had a power tool that would disintegrate pain.