Fibromyalgia..Is It an autoimmune disease?

I understand your frustration. My doctor told me that none of the rheumatologists in reno deal with fibromyalgia. Doctors act so perplexed when they do a procedure on me and they tell me it won’t hurt but it’s excruciating. For example yesterday, they removed my big toenail. The shots made me want to die it was so painful. Gabapentin is all they give me. Sometimes I don’t hurt much at all, usually when I don’t eat for days I feel better. But my mental state is a problem. Family members don’t understand and that’s hard for me.

I've been diagnosed (like 30 years after the fact) with fibromyalgia. The doctor (and Internist) also called it Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He then made a referral to a Rhuematologist with the healthcare system I'm using, and they denied it because they don't handle fibromyalgia. That truly confused the doctor. He's new and from the east coast, I"m on the west coast US. So, they sent me to Pain Management and that doctor has put me in cymbalta. I signed up for Mayo Connect and among other things I'm dealing with, I am "following" Fibromyalgia. But it doesn't show on my daily list from Mayo, like all the other conditions I am following. What's the deal on this? Is CFS and Fibromyalgia just 2 names for the same thing? Are they clearly considered autoimmune or not? Thanks.

Hi @thenazareneshul, I can help with the 3 different aspects of your post:

1. Regarding following support groups and what shows in your daily digest from Connect.
The daily digest summarizes all the activity that happened over the past 24 hours in the support groups and blogs that you have chosen to follow. If a support group you follow does not appear in your digest, then there was no activity over the past 24 hours. With these posts, you will see the Fibromyalgia Support Group listed in your digest tomorrow 🙂

You may also appreciate more info in the blog post
- The Mayo Connect Digest: How to make to most of it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/the-mayo-connect-digest-how-to-make-to-most-of-it/

2. Fibromyalgia, is it considered an autoimmune condition?
I moved your question to this existing discussion where @darlia asked the same question and discussion continues (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1137304/).

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder which is characterized by widespread pain, tenderness and fatigue. Though research suggests some relationship with autoimmunity, there's not enough evidence to classify fibromyalgia as an autoimmune disorder. See more here:
- Fibromyalgia: Is It an Autoimmune Disease? https://www.healthline.com/health/is-fibromyalgia-an-autoimmune-disease

Here's another interested article from Mayo Clinic Ask the Expert that may interest you. Fibromyalgia tends to amplify pain generated by other conditions like those with autoimmune conditions.
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-is-fibromyalgia-diagnosed/

3. Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) vs fibromyalgia
There are overlapping aspects, but they are not the same condition. Fibromyalgia is often dominated by chronic pain while chronic fatigue syndrome is often dominated by fatigue. Here is an article that explains:
- What’s the Difference Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? https://www.verywellhealth.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-vs-fibromyalgia-5213420

Because the two conditions share common traits and can be hard to distinquish, Mayo Clinic created a specialty clinic to help with the diagnosis and treatment plans for both conditions.
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-clinic-minnesota/overview/ovc-20485870

@thenazareneshul, phew, that's a lot of information and I hope I didn't overwhelm you. But I felt like you are asking good questions that many members may be looking for clarification as well. Thanks for asking the questions.

Hi @thenazareneshul, I can help with the 3 different aspects of your post:

1. Regarding following support groups and what shows in your daily digest from Connect.
The daily digest summarizes all the activity that happened over the past 24 hours in the support groups and blogs that you have chosen to follow. If a support group you follow does not appear in your digest, then there was no activity over the past 24 hours. With these posts, you will see the Fibromyalgia Support Group listed in your digest tomorrow 🙂

You may also appreciate more info in the blog post
- The Mayo Connect Digest: How to make to most of it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/the-mayo-connect-digest-how-to-make-to-most-of-it/

2. Fibromyalgia, is it considered an autoimmune condition?
I moved your question to this existing discussion where @darlia asked the same question and discussion continues (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1137304/).

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder which is characterized by widespread pain, tenderness and fatigue. Though research suggests some relationship with autoimmunity, there's not enough evidence to classify fibromyalgia as an autoimmune disorder. See more here:
- Fibromyalgia: Is It an Autoimmune Disease? https://www.healthline.com/health/is-fibromyalgia-an-autoimmune-disease

Here's another interested article from Mayo Clinic Ask the Expert that may interest you. Fibromyalgia tends to amplify pain generated by other conditions like those with autoimmune conditions.
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-is-fibromyalgia-diagnosed/

3. Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) vs fibromyalgia
There are overlapping aspects, but they are not the same condition. Fibromyalgia is often dominated by chronic pain while chronic fatigue syndrome is often dominated by fatigue. Here is an article that explains:
- What’s the Difference Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? https://www.verywellhealth.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-vs-fibromyalgia-5213420

Because the two conditions share common traits and can be hard to distinquish, Mayo Clinic created a specialty clinic to help with the diagnosis and treatment plans for both conditions.
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-clinic-minnesota/overview/ovc-20485870

@thenazareneshul, phew, that's a lot of information and I hope I didn't overwhelm you. But I felt like you are asking good questions that many members may be looking for clarification as well. Thanks for asking the questions.

Hi @thenazareneshul, I can help with the 3 different aspects of your post:

1. Regarding following support groups and what shows in your daily digest from Connect.
The daily digest summarizes all the activity that happened over the past 24 hours in the support groups and blogs that you have chosen to follow. If a support group you follow does not appear in your digest, then there was no activity over the past 24 hours. With these posts, you will see the Fibromyalgia Support Group listed in your digest tomorrow 🙂

You may also appreciate more info in the blog post
- The Mayo Connect Digest: How to make to most of it https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/the-mayo-connect-digest-how-to-make-to-most-of-it/

2. Fibromyalgia, is it considered an autoimmune condition?
I moved your question to this existing discussion where @darlia asked the same question and discussion continues (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/1137304/).

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder which is characterized by widespread pain, tenderness and fatigue. Though research suggests some relationship with autoimmunity, there's not enough evidence to classify fibromyalgia as an autoimmune disorder. See more here:
- Fibromyalgia: Is It an Autoimmune Disease? https://www.healthline.com/health/is-fibromyalgia-an-autoimmune-disease

Here's another interested article from Mayo Clinic Ask the Expert that may interest you. Fibromyalgia tends to amplify pain generated by other conditions like those with autoimmune conditions.
- Mayo Clinic Q and A: How is fibromyalgia diagnosed? https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-how-is-fibromyalgia-diagnosed/

3. Chronic fatigue syndrome (also called myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS) vs fibromyalgia
There are overlapping aspects, but they are not the same condition. Fibromyalgia is often dominated by chronic pain while chronic fatigue syndrome is often dominated by fatigue. Here is an article that explains:
- What’s the Difference Between Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia? https://www.verywellhealth.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-vs-fibromyalgia-5213420

Because the two conditions share common traits and can be hard to distinquish, Mayo Clinic created a specialty clinic to help with the diagnosis and treatment plans for both conditions.
- Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/fibromyalgia-and-chronic-fatigue-clinic-minnesota/overview/ovc-20485870

@thenazareneshul, phew, that's a lot of information and I hope I didn't overwhelm you. But I felt like you are asking good questions that many members may be looking for clarification as well. Thanks for asking the questions.

I have been told by many credible doctors that, yes, fibromyalgia is indeed an autoimmune disease. There are many doctors out there who still do not believe it exists, that it is autoimmune, or that it lasts and doesn't go away like the common cold. Yes, I have doctor's tell me and even give me printouts stating that fibro is a short term thing from 1-3 months. I have had fibro most of my adult life and, no, it is not in my head as most doctors want me to believe.
My daughter also has it. I am also arthritic in all my joints.
That does not discount my fibromyalgia diagnosis in any way. I have been to may doctors. I know it is frustrating but with fibromyalgia, until the medical community make a definite decision on the cause and affect as well as treatments, all I can advise is keep searching for the doctor and specialists that will actually listen to you and work with you. They are out there. They are just hard to find. Best of luck and God bless!

Do most people dx with fibromyalgia or /chronic fatigue syndrome have other autoimmune conditions also?