How does chronic fatigue syndrome fit with fibromyalgia?

How does chronic fatigue syndrome fit with fibromyalgia?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined as such when the patient experiences fatigue for more than 50% of her waking hours and last more than 6 months.

Fatigue is a major symptom of fibromyalgia, though not all patients have fatigue. Fatigue in fibromyalgia patients is reported at roughly 80%.

One distinctive difference between CFS and FMS is their sleep patterns. CFS sleep for more than what is considered normal and yet do not wake up feeling fresh and rested, while FMS patients cannot establish a restorative sleep pattern because of the constant presence of pain. They are deprived of sleep.

In his publication The Metabolic Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Dr Lowe writes “Fatigue is a feature of numerous conditions. Probably the most common cause of fatigue is inadequate thyroid hormone regulation of cell function.”

The hypo metabolism theory of fibromyalgia

Scientific studies and years of related clinical experiences have led to several conclusions about the manner of development of FMS and its treatment:

• In most cases, FMS is caused by, or related to, inadequate thyroid hormone regulation of cell function. The inadequate regulation results from one of two phenomena: (1) thyroid hormone deficiency, or (2) partial cellular resistance to the hormone.
• Other metabolism-impairing factors may also induce and sustain symptoms that lead to a diagnosis of FMS if those factors impede the metabolism of the tissue from which FMS symptoms and signs arise. Such factors include B complex vitamin deficiencies, the use of beta-receptor blocking drugs, and deconditioning. Whereas one such factor may not be enough to induce FMS symptoms, combinations of them may be sufficient.
• The metabolism-impeding factors responsible for FMS must be controlled or eliminated before a patient can significantly improve. When FMS results from inadequate thyroid hormone regulation, thyroid hormone is indispensable if the patient is to improve or recover.
• For most patients, nutritional supplements are also essential. They synergistically interact with thyroid hormone to cause a sustained increase in metabolism. As thyroid hormone accelerates metabolism, the body’s requirements for nutrients - especially B complex vitamins - increases. Not taking vitamin supplements may result in vitamin deficiency or cardiomyopathy. Taking supplements can avert such adverse effects and facilitate a thyroid hormone-induced increase in metabolism.
• For most patients, exercise to tolerance is necessary. Exercise enables patients to capitalize on the increased metabolic capacity provided by thyroid hormone and nutritional supplements. Resistance exercises contribute to the increase in metabolism by increasing lean tissue mass, which has a higher metabolic rate than fat tissue. Aerobic exercise contributes by increasing the metabolic rate of the lean tissue.