Hi lovely .

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and fibromyalgia are very different conditions. However, they sometimes share similar symptoms and signs. Both conditions require a variety of medical tests for a diagnosis

Fibromyalgia is characterized by musculoskeletal pain that affects the entire body. In addition to chronic pain, fibromyalgia causes increased drowsiness and fatigue, as well as mood and memory issues.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological condition that destroys the protective coating (myelin) that surrounds the nerves. MS causes the body to mistake the healthy myelin that surrounds the nerves as foreign. MS destroys the myelin and eventually causes the nerves to no longer be able to function as they should. Over time, MS can completely destroy the myelin. It may then begin attacking and destroying the nerves themselves.

Similarities however with Ms brain function effected too and deterioration can leave one very limited with both mobility and care needs .

Hope the above helped clarify . I have a friend who's only 4o sadly deteriorated very quickly now left virtually unable to function .

Love and light

Blessings for better health to all

RuggedMan has it correct. ME is the same as CFS here in the US. It is not related to FM, but a lot of people with FM are diagnosed with CFS/ME as well.

I don,t think there is a big difference except that some comes in more severe than other. everyones tolerance to pain differs but some days I wuld compare it to labour pains except you don't know when it will stop-with labour it does end!

Interesting discussion. The new paradigm on ME and FM considers them related but different conditions. They are considered 'Central Sensitivity Syndromes', where the body and mind amplify pain and fatigue. TMJ, (jaw joint dysfunction, IC(interstitial cystitis), IBS, Fm, ME and several other illnesses are part of this grouping of illnesses with overlapping symptoms. There has been continuing controversy over whether FM/ME are separate or the same entity as they do share a lot of symptoms. The main symptom of FM is pain, and fatigue is the main ME symptom. The thinking is currently that they may have some different triggers and a different course for reasons not yet entirely understood. It's interesting because I wonder what that means for those of us who suffer from both but I'll have to leave it for the experts to figure out

There is no difference between CFS and ME. They are usually considered the same disorder.CFS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is the US teem and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis in the UK, Europe and most of the world. As for the differences, they share a lot of symptoms with FM. Such as fatigue, IBS, depression, anxiety, sleep issues, TMJ, memory issues, impaired coordination and dizziness, pain. CFS/ME often has flu like symptoms, it also presents as a chronic immune system activation as if the body is fighting infection. I read once that the pain from CFS/ME does not go away with gentle massage and heat, but it does go away with FM, hence the reason many FM sufferers are told they have both, they don get relief from most of their pain. I think I also read once that the main difference between the 2 is FM usually presents after some traumatic event and CFS/ME usually after a viral infection. I do know it is usually diagnosed due to sore throat and low fever which makes the viral infection connection make sense. I had unrelieved pain, a fever of 100, sore throat and swollen glands when I was diagnosed. It was after a 2 month battle with a respiratory infection, that turned to bronchitis and then pnuemonia and put me in the hospital.