Introduction
What is FM?
Fibromyalgia, FM, is a chronic illness that causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, as well as fatigue and trouble sleeping. People with FM do not experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), as seen in ME and Long COVID.
Fibro = Fibrous tissue
My = Muscle
Algia = Pain
Who can get FM?
FM can affect children and adults. However, most people are diagnosed mid-life. FM often occurs after a significant event, such as severe illness or infection, physical trauma (such as surgery or a car accident), or significant psychological stress.
In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event.
Impact of FM
FM symptoms, such as chronic pain, sleep and/or cognitive dysfunction, can result in disability from work-life and/or activities of daily living.
Also, like ME and Long COVID, FM greatly impacts quality of life.
​
FM pain can vary from person to person. Pain can also vary in location and intensity on a daily or hourly basis.
Overlap of FM, ME and Long Covid
There is some overlap and similarity in symptoms between Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), Long COVID, and Fibromyalgia (FM), but these are distinct conditions with different diagnostic criteria. FM is also the most common comorbidity of ME, with an estimate of over 35% of Canadians with ME also having FM.
​
While ME, Long COVID and FM can all include symptoms of fatigue, cognitive impairment and pain, FM does not usually manifest with post-exertional malaise (PEM, or worsening of symptoms with physical, cognitive or emotional exertion), one of the hallmark symptoms of ME and Long COVID.
