Differences Between Myalgia and Fibromyalgia

Myalgia vs Fibromyalgia

You’ve most likely experienced myalgia even if you don’t know the term. “Myalgia” is the general term used for muscle pain that’s triggered by a wide variety of causes. Every muscle ache you’ve experienced from working out, playing outdoor games, or being bruised all relates to myalgia. As a symptom, myalgia can be classified as short-term or long-term. Short-term myalgia can be a result of muscle cramps, muscle overexertion, and pulled muscles. Long-term myalgia involves a chronic condition that’s definitely more harmful than simple muscle pain because it may affect tendons, ligaments, connective tissues, bones, and even various body organs.
People who don’t have a sound medical background often interchange “myalgia” and “fibromyalgia.” After all, the two terms seem almost similar with the exception of the “fibro-” added to the latter. However, they are inherently different not only in terms of spelling but also in terms of severity.

First of all, it’s important to keep in mind that myalgia is purely a symptom. As mentioned earlier, it is a symptom that is triggered by many muscle conditions usually relating to muscle overuse. It’s not a condition in itself: it’s an effect rather than a cause. On the other hand, fibromyalgia is considered as a valid medical condition which includes “myalgia” as one of its symptoms. Fibromyalgia involves muscle pain, sleeping problems, lingering fatigue, and even chronic depression. Fibromyalgia can become a chronic condition if it lasts for a period of several months to even years.

Secondly, it must be noted that once the symptom myalgia is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle tenderness, then there’s a good chance that the patient is afflicted with fibromyalgia.  Because fibromyalgia has a potential to become a chronic condition, it must be treated with potent drugs such as Cymbalta and Lyrica, which are designed to reduce or completely alleviate the symptoms. However, if the patient is just suffering from myalgia, then a dose of painkillers would be enough.

Differentiating between simple muscle pain characterized by myalgia and the multi-symptom condition called fibromyalgia can help you advise friends or family members with regards to treatment. While alleviating pain by ingesting painkillers is usually the first recourse, you can also try first-aid administration by putting warm compresses on the myalgia-affected areas. However, if the additional symptoms of fibromyalgia appear, don’t attempt to prescribe your own medication. Instead, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary in order to get the ideal drug that can combat fibromyalgia. As mentioned earlier, Cymbalta and Lyrica usually do the job, but drug allergies can be a problem as well. Luckily, there are many drugs out there on the market that are designed to cure fibromyalgia. Expect the price of fibromyalgia drugs to be much higher than that of your common painkiller, though.

Summary:

Myalgia is a symptom of a wide range of conditions. In layman’s terms, it is known as muscle pain. Cramps, sprains, and stretched muscles due to strenuous activity can give rise to myalgia.

Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, is a condition that involves myalgia as well as other symptoms such as fatigue, depression, muscle tenderness, and sleeping problems. It has the potential to become a chronic condition if it becomes long-term.

Treatment for myalgia is easy to get. Painkillers can relieve muscle pain quickly as well as warm compresses. When it comes to fibromyalgia, however, there are specific drugs such as Cymbalta and Lyrica that can alleviate its symptoms.

While it’s fine to use painkillers for myalgia, a doctor should prescribe prescriptions for fibromyalgia. Medicine prices for fibromyalgia drugs are much higher than painkillers.

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