Fibromyalia syndrome vs myofascial pain syndrome

[Guest guest]

I recently purchased two books by Deven J. Starlanyl, M.D. The

Fibromyalgia Advocate is a great book. Full of good and useful

information especially for fighting for your rights, self advocacy,

and understanding the system.

But...

I'm left feeling kind of confused b/c he makes this big point in both

the books I purchased about how FMS is different and separate from

MPS. He goes on to define FMS as a " specific, chronic,

nondegenerative, nonprogressive, noninflammatory, truly systemic pain

condition. Whereas MPS is defined as " a neuromuscular condition " and

" ...is caused by mechanical failures, not biochemistry. " FMS has

tender points were MPS has trigger points (and there can be many). If

you have FMS that doesn't necessarily mean you have MPS and vice

versa. But if you have them both apparently they can feed off each

other making you feel worse, and worse, and worse.

So... I'm just still very confused. I had never heard of this MPS

before. I think b/c it may be lumped all together under FMS but this

author made a BIG deal that they are separate syndromes and not to

confuse the two.

So...

I'm curious if anyone has a take on this? I'm going to discuss it

with my RH doctor next month and see what he has to say.

In the meanwhile, I'm trying to control/fight off a major flare in my

left shoulder/back area. This are is one of the worse in terms of

pain and almost impossible for me to major with the medications I

have. It breaks through just about everything.

[Guest guest]

Hi - Sorry you're in a lot of pain. BTW, no biggie, but Dr.

Starlanyl is a woman, one who actually has both conditions. Her main book

regarding both conditons is thought to be the " bible " for us. It's been

several years since I've looked at my copy, but I do remember that she is

very definite about separating the two conditions. My opinion is that the

majority of us suffer from both. I know that tender points are like sore

spots that hurt like heck when touched. Trigger points actually radiate the

pain to other areas. I've got both, and from what I read from others on

here, I think most of us do. I believe they probably do feed off each other

complicating the whole mess. So, I don't know if this helps your confusion

at all, but it's just my take on it.

Feel better soon.

Jeanne in WI

>I recently purchased two books by Deven J. Starlanyl, M.D. The

>Fibromyalgia Advocate is a great book. Full of good and useful information

>especially for fighting for your rights, self advocacy, and understanding

>the system.

>

> But...

>

> I'm left feeling kind of confused b/c he makes this big point in both the

> books I purchased about how FMS is different and separate from MPS. He

> goes on to define FMS as a " specific, chronic, nondegenerative,

> nonprogressive, noninflammatory, truly systemic pain

condition. Whereas MPS is defined as " a neuromuscular condition " and " ...is

caused by mechanical failures, not biochemistry. " FMS has tender points

were MPS has trigger points (and there can be many). If you have FMS that

doesn't necessarily mean you have MPS and vice versa. But if you have them

both apparently they can feed off each other making you feel worse, and

worse, and worse.

>

> So... I'm just still very confused. I had never heard of this MPS before.

> I think b/c it may be lumped all together under FMS but this author made a

> BIG deal that they are separate syndromes and not to confuse the two.

>

> So...

>

> I'm curious if anyone has a take on this? I'm going to discuss it with my

> RH doctor next month and see what he has to say.

>

> In the meanwhile, I'm trying to control/fight off a major flare in my left

> shoulder/back area. This are is one of the worse in terms of pain and

> almost impossible for me to major with the medications I have. It breaks

> through just about everything.

[Guest guest]

Nacie,

my muscles are EXACTLY in the same shape as you described!!

lisa n.