Difference Between Fibromyalgia and Polymyalgia

A key difference between fibromyalgia andpolymyalgia is the predominance of the disease below and above 50 years of age respectively.

Fibromyalgia is commonly associated with diffuse hyper-sensitivity to pain or touch. The slightest human touch can result in out of proportion pain which is called Allodynia. This is a primary differentiator from PMR, among other ones.

Common symptoms of Fibromyalgia can include fatigue, tingling of the skin, muscular aches, muscle spasms, weakness of limbs, nerve pain, disturbances in bowel habits and sleep disturbances. Sleep is disrupted due to alterations in brain wave patterns, where the person will go back and forth from deep sleep to light sleep. Long slow wave is severely reduced resulting in sleep deprivation, which can result in its own problems.

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia is controversial because it is a global musculoskeletal disease, some people argue that it is not a disease but a disorder. The physical exam may show up quite normal and laboratory tests or further imaging studies may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Also a psychological component along with neurological abnormalities has been identified with brain changes in key areas shown in research.