Isn't CFS, Fibromyalgia and Me basically all the same

Thank you for your question.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition that causes intense pain in various places around the body, including muscles, connective tissues and joints, as well as a host of other symptoms.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or (CFS) /Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or (ME)
This condition is much more than just being overly run down. This is so severe that even doing everyday tasks are unbearable. This can be so debilitating that a person could be bedridden.

According to About.com, FM and CFS or ME have many similarities. In fact, a number of people with FM also have CFS, which can make diagnosis and treatment even more confusing. Although the two illnesses have many symptoms in common, the most prevalent symptom of FM is widespread pain while the primary symptom of CFS is extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest. The differences in the diagnostic criteria reflect this emphasis on the primary symptom. Fibromyalgia’s diagnosis revolves around the pain, while chronic fatigue syndrome’s diagnosis focuses more on the fatigue.

For more information about causes of FM, click on the following links:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fibromyalgia/DS00079/DSECTION=causes

http://www.fmaware.org/site/PageServer

For more information about causes of CFS/ME, click on the following links:

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_causes_chronic_fatigue_syndrome_000007_3.htm

I hope this helps.

Hey there hun :)
I've been diagnosed (dx) with fibro for over 5 years, relocating my family (and medical care) twice I have had my fair share of doctors. As in all things my care providers have run the gamut from exceptional to lazy. In my personal experience too many doctors simply lump all fibro symptoms together under one heading. Sadly, this does us patients, further damage. I think that the majority of the run of the mill General Practioner's out there... well, simply put... they want or need to (do to patient overload, job burn out, lack of knowledge, time to educate or attend conferences and/or financial constraints) label it all fibromyalgia and sweep all our symptoms under that dx. This dilemma exascerbates an already delicate situation for the patient but helps the doctor to have a complete dx and therefore begin treatment. Unfortunately with only half a dx, you can only recieve half of the care.
For instance, CFS medications are completely different to fibro medications ... irritable bowel meds are different from pain meds... muscle relaxants obviously differ from headache meds.
It's been my experience that when I had a doctor that would trust me to maintain my fluctuating symptoms with a proper array of medications I was at my best. However most doctors would never do that. My current physician has decided that I need fewer medications and made sweeping changes... the result meant I spent most of the holidays in bed sick with a myriad of symptoms :/
I guess the gist of my comment here is that you need to find a doctor who will treat the WHOLE you. Don't settle for run of the mill ... we are exceptional people who need exceptional care ... therefore seek and find an exceptional doctor with an equally supportive front office staff.
Lastly, study hard ... read all you can find on the subject ... become your own advocate and again, do not settle. This is your life and the quality of it is in your control. Let your doctor know that as you trust him or her and their choice of modalities that you are placing your ability to function on hold until something begins to work... too often doctors fail to see that simply fact.
better close ... I could go on and on with this subject ...LOL!
much love to you ... and sweetheart remember you are not alone :)
your fibro sister,
Tharilyn