Abstract:
Individuals with fibromyalgia (FM) and/or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) report arthralgias and myalgias. However, only persons with FM alone exhibit abnormal pain responses to mild levels of stimulation, or allodynia. We identify the abnormalities in the neuroendocrine axes that are common to FM and CFS as well as the abnormalities in central neuropeptide levels and functional brain activity that differentiate these disorders. These two sets of factors, respectively, may account for the similarities and differences in the pain experiences of persons with FM and CFS.
Source: Bradley LA, McKendree-Smith NL, Alarcón GS. Pain complaints in patients with fibromyalgia versus chronic fatigue syndrome. Curr Rev Pain. 2000;4(2):148-57. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10998728