Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome - Which is Causing What Pain?

Overlapping Condition of the Week: Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is one of the many conditions those of us with fibromyalgia (FMS) get to enjoy, but a lot of people might not even know they have MPS.

I was diagnosed with both conditions at the same time, but I believe I've had the MPS since I was 10 years old, and that it's responsible for the chronic pain that eventually led to FMS.

MPS causes trigger points (TrPs) in your muscles and connective tissues (the fascia) when they're injured. A TrP is a taut, ropy band of that forms at the injury site and has nothing to do with the tender points used to diagnose FMS. Basically, it's a consequence of the muscle not healing properly. You can have a bunch of TrPs and not even know it. A TrP can cause pain where it is, or it can also cause referred pain, well away from the site.

Referred pain is very similar to FMS pain and also can mimic other problems. Before diagnosis, I ended up in the emergency room thinking my appendix was about to burst. I later determined that was the work of a TrP caused by my two C-sections. It was after this episode that FMS pain really started ricocheting around my abdomen like crazy.

Here are two things every fibromite should know about MPS:

1. MPS pain can make your FMS symptoms worse
2. You can get rid of TrPs, which can help relieve FMS symptoms

Learn more about MPS, how it's different from FMS, how it's diagnosed, and what your treatment options are:

• Fibromyalgia & Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Do you have or think you have myofascial pain syndrome? What treatments have worked for you? How has it impacted your FMS? Share your experiences here, or in the Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics).

Photo © A.D.A.M.