An interesting article in the Archives of Internal Medicine 2000; 160:221-227 by Leslie AAron, Mary Burke, and Dedra Buchwald "overlapping conditions among patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and temporomandibular disorder." Here are some of the symptoms that are common to both fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue: muscle pain, aching or discomfort; problems falling or staying asleep, or sleeping too much; waking up feeling tired, and refreshed after a full night's rest; difficulty concentrating or thinking, forgetfulness ; abdominal pain relieved by a bowel movement; hard, loose, or watery stools. The symptoms that are unique to chronic fatigue include: fatigue more than six months; fatigue resulting in a 50% reduction of normal activity; unexplained weakness in muscles; migratory arthralgias without redness or swelling; burning, shooting, or throbbing muscle pain. Chronic fatigue syndrome can also include a mild fever or chills on a sore throat. Symptoms unique to fibromyalgia include that the pain can be made better by heat or massage, and that pain is made worse by sitting or standing.
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