Many people can also have Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS) alongside their Fibromyalgia but not always. This subject has come up a few times in the community lately so I thought I would post about it.
Here's an excerpt from research which helps explain the two conditions;
Pain and fatigue associated to the musculoskeletal system are among the leading causes of patients to visit their physicians and nearly one-third of such patients suffer from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic debilitating disorder characterized by widespread pain with tenderness in specific areas, leading to fatigue, headache and sleep disorder. Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), is also a localized musculoskeletal pain producing condition whose diagnostic and management criteria differ from FMS but still considered by many only a subtype of FMS.
One more condition similar to FMS named myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) was described as early as 18436 but debate over its existence as a separate clinical entity from FMS still continues and many consider it only a subtype of FMS. It is true that the diagnostic criteria, clinical features and perhaps the etiopathogenesis of MPS differ from FMS, so the treatment and prognosis
The common important feature to both conditions is muscle pain along with the taut or rope like bands in the muscles. In MPS, the painful points in the ‘taut bands’ are called “trigger points” (TP). These points are so precise and painful that on their palpation, patient shows a “jump sign” associated with referred pain. The “tender points” within the sore muscle of fibromyalgia are not associated with jump sign or referred pain
Please do read the rest of the article here as it explains the differences between how they are treated.
Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain Syndrome-A Dilemma
I hope this does not confuse people as it is hard to differentiate between symptoms as we may have other conditions but if you are experiencing symptoms which do not follow the usual pattern of Fibro then this may be considered as a cause.
Here's a link to NHS information about MPS that might be helpful;
I hope this is of interest & any questions are welcomed although I cannot promise I know the answer straight away but may be able to find out for you by looking at research etc.
Emma
Community Coordinator
Written by
Mdaisy
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Yes, thanks for posting this. I have both but the myofascial is more of a problem for me mainly because I do not work so can rest or pace myself during the day with few demands upon my time or body, also I am a chilled kind of person in many ways as I have had therapies to help me shift from past problems. It is interesting to read the causes of myofascial pain as mine tends to occur when I am in one position for too long, for example watching TV, sitting at the computer, or trying to go to sleep. During the daytime I can ease the pain by doing crazy movements and massage which does shift the pain in time, but at night that rather defeats the object as trying to move and trying to sleep are contradictory! I did try Vic because it can be good for muscle pain caused by over-exertion and also for some joint pain, but it didn't work for the muscle spasms which are like having cramp.
I've just gone back on Duloxetine and hope that will ease them again as it did when I was taking it previously.
Emma, Thank you for posting this most excellent article. I think parts of it are extremely useful to us Fibro mites. The explanation notes on medication is good .
I feel there is a lot of pertenant information with regard to the drug relief ,
I’ve never heard of this condition before, I’ve always thought the numerous knots all over my body are just down to the Fibro! This condition completely explains what is going on with me!! How do you get a diagnosis and what treatment helps....it could give me a whole new lease of life!
Thank you, I will, it feels like there might actually be some light at the end of the tunnel, I spend my life trying to get the knots, that I can reach, to relax...many hours of this takes place when I wake up throughout the night. If things can be improved rather than just pushed aside by the doc then my quality of life would hugely improve!
Mary x
This is helpful, because I was told I had MPS but when I said I thought I had FMS the doc said, oh well I can write that. I was confused as to why there were two names for the same thing. And if they are different why was he so quick to write something else. Based on the above I certainly do jump, when he tested the trigger points I jumped in agony. I didn't know jumping doesn't happen in FMS. People think I'm strange because I'm jumpy when people come close as I'm scared they'll knock into me or something and I'll be in pain.
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