How do I differentiate between chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and depression?

Question

I have all the symptoms for CFS and fibromyalgia. All my blood work comes up clean. Since I am a teenage girl, my doctors are trying to push depression although i don't present the mental symptoms. My parents beleive it is more like CFS or fibromyalgia. How can i differentiate and get the correct diagnosis?

Answer 1

Dear,visit a real good specialist,a neurologist.to say accurately is it CFS and fibromyalgia or depression.I am inclined to think that if you not present the symptoms of depression it is more likely you not to suffer from it..and there's so sure solution and also harmless..for CFS is reqiered to be treated simply with the addition of arginine aspartame,so try it..Sargenor is one product which contains it and you can buy it without prescription and has no side effects..Unfortunately,too many specialist don't pay the needed attention and are inclined to superficial answers like too much stress,just a case of depression etc.I really suggest you to try(again I repeat Aspartame is totally free and taken even without a prescription will not harm you)..Sagenor..I suffered from CFS and that helped me within 10 days.I also suffered from depresson and can tell there's a great difference between them!! Good luck and if you need more info or whatever I'll be glad to answer you!!

Answer 2

Fibromyalgia has specific symptoms that determine the diagnosis. It's not just a simple blood test. CFS will usually show up in bloodwork, and is usually caused by the epstein-barr virus, which doesn't have a specific test either, but its syptoms can be specific enough to diagnose as CFS.

I had something that was undiagnoseable with very similar symptoms to both CFS and Fybromialgia, and the nervous system symptoms of MS. It was called a "Viral Syndrome" that would flare up if I got sick or had a bad headache. There was nothing really they could do but treat the symptoms. (Trigeminal neuralgia, severe migraines, fatique, muscle knots and back pain, itchy blisters on hands and chicken pox like blisters on my face, joint pain, weakness and tremors) I took an antiviral, a seizure medicine, an antiinflamatory, and 2 different anti depressants.

The funny thing is, antidepressants and eliminating stress from my life (I quit my job) is what it took to get better, but it did take a year. If I get under stress, I can feel it trying to flare up again.

Realistically, a diagnosis of depression is probably correct. Depression/stress can manifest itself with physical symptoms rather than than the emotional ones.

Answer 3

Hello Jennifer Fibromyalgia ,could be Chronic fatigue syndrome also but what does not add up in there is the difficulty swallowing,the pain med you were given is Tramadol did you have a full bloodwork.Occasionnal loss of voice also does not add up to fibromyalgia.Tenderness in 14 points and very specific ones give a diagnostic of fibromyalgia.Start with the beginning ther could be an infection underlying all of this Kindest regards

Answer 4

I have fibromyalgia. Most doctors do not have a clue about fibro or CFS. I was told that it was stress, depression, weakness, over sensitivity etc...Your best bet is to find a rheumatologist who is up to date about fibromyalgia and pay them a visit. Fibro is diagnosed by tender pressure points on the body. If a doctor does not know how to check for those, he/she will never find it. I went through thousands of dollars and 6 months worth of tests...and nobody found it. I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester. They sent me to the fibro clinic there. The doctor found it in 15 minutes. Best money I ever spent.

If you like, you can contact me. I will give you any help that I can.

Good Luck...For more credible info, try the mayoclinic.com site.

Contrary to a previous post. Fibromyalgia and CFS are not totally psychological. They have those elements, but recent Mayo research has clearly shown a physiological basis or etiology.

Answer 5

Chronis fatique syndrome: you feel tired all of the time and have trouble keeping awake when you are doing normal activities. You sleep really hard and probably have a tendency to sleep too much. This could make you feel a little depressed b/c you are missing out on your life. Depression: A FEW of these symptoms that last for a long period of time (as in months for ex) that has a negative effect on day to life and functioning: tiredness, listlessness, irratibility, hopelessness, loss of interest in things once enjoyed, etc. Only being tired all of the time probably doesn't constitute as depression. Firbromyalgia: a physical problem having to do with sharp, shooting pains or numbness all over the body that effects day to day functioning. It could cause a person to feel fatigued and may make them want to lay around alot or sleep alot. This may make them depressed. So basically, I would suggest you try to figure out the core of everything---what happened first and what has stuck around.

Answer 6

See another doctor. A lot of times physical and mental illnesses will present with the same symptoms. Chronic fatigue could be caused by depression for example. I would make an appointment to see another doctor.

Answer 7

There is a direct connect between depression and Fibro...I have had this syndrome for 2 years... I had a bad spell of depressive illness after caring for my dying father... I was seen first by my internist. WHO pointed me to the Psych Doc who really helped.. It is said that STRESS is the main culprit ..or TRAUMA..in cause of Fibro.. I take certain meds that suit my needs.. Zoloft, and DIazapam..as it has been found that the Zoloft reduces the amt of adrenalin that goes into the muscles when stressed.The diazepam is a calming agent on the muscles themselves... I also do holistic which is deep tissue massage... supplements that are known to be less in fibro pts. Qunol CO Q10...A SOLID PURE FISH OIL high in DHA and others...as INFLAMTION is what surrounds our muscles in fibro...I take B 12 complex..among others... It is well worth to read on supplements and Fibro...Best of Luck and YOU will feel better....

Answer 8

According to my consultant, fibromyalgia is a fancy name they give someone when they don't know exactly what is wrong. I thought that was what I had because all my tests came back as normal or negative.

Seems I was to find out my condition was a whole lot more serious potentially life threatening :((

Answer 9

Rheumatiodologists and Neurologists generally are the ones that keep up with the diagnosis and treatment of FMS. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to see a neurologist as well, to either rule out or diagnose CFS. You need to keep in mind that depression manifests itself differently in adolescents in some ways than it does in adults. You really should be evaluated by a Psychiatrist with experience in working with teens before anyone decides on a diagnosis of depression. In this day of managed care and insurances pressing physicians to limit tests and specialists referrals you will need to be your own advocate. Ask your parents to insist on specialist referrals and make sure you are properly diagnosed. There are ways to treat and/or manage all these diseases. You need the correct diagnosis to be able to have the best quality of life as possible. I will post some URLs below that will give some information on these diseases.

FMS:

http://fmaware.org/fminfo/brochure.htm

http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/basics.html

CFS:

http://www.cfids.org/

Depression in teens:

http://familydoctor.org/641.xml

Answer 10

If the doctors in your area aren't giving you the answers you are seeking, then perhaps you could try networking through support groups (locally or online). Sometimes the best suggestions come from people experiencing the same problems/symptoms. They may be able to guide you to a better doctor, etc. Good luck!