Fibromyalgia - Conditions with Similar Symptoms

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Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a term that describes conditions in which certain chemicals cause symptoms similar to CFS or fibromyalgia. As with CFS and fibromyalgia, some experts are uncertain whether MCS is a medical problem or a psychologically-based condition. Because everyone is exposed to many chemicals on a daily basis, it is very difficult to determine whether chemicals are responsible for specific symptoms.

Experts have come up with criteria to help recognize MCS:

• Symptoms can be produced by exposure to the chemical at levels lower than the person previously or usually tolerated.
• Symptoms can be triggered by multiple substances that are chemically unrelated.
• Symptoms involve multiple organ systems.
• The condition is chronic.
• The symptoms always happen with repeated exposure to a chemical. (These are often common chemicals found in popular products, such as perfumes, fabric softeners, and air fresheners.)
• The symptoms improve when the chemical is removed.

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Restless Legs Syndrome. About 15% of people with fibromyalgia have restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome is an unsettling and poorly understood movement disorder that is sometimes described as a sense of unease and weariness in the lower leg that is aggravated by rest and relieved by movement.

Lyme Disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks. Health care providers can usually diagnose early Lyme disease correctly, but a delayed response or recurrence of this disorder may be mistaken for fibromyalgia. Some experts believe that 15 - 50% of patients referred to clinics for Lyme disease actually have fibromyalgia. Late Lyme disease can usually (but not always) be ruled out using blood tests that identify the organism that causes this disease. If fibromyalgia patients are incorrectly diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease with prolonged courses of antibiotics, the drugs may have serious side effects.

Drugs and Alcohol. Fatigue is a side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter medications, such as antihistamines. Constant fatigue is also a symptom of drug and alcohol dependency or abuse. Health care providers should consider medications as a possible cause of fatigue if an individual has recently started, stopped, or changed medications. Withdrawal from caffeine can also produce depression, fatigue, and headache.