Raj N. Sureja, MD
In the table below, you can easily compare and contrast the symptoms of Central Pain Syndrome, Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia.
| SYMPTOM |
CPS |
CRPS |
FIBRO |
| Widespread Pain |
X |
X |
|
| Localized Pain
Arm or Leg |
X |
||
| Sleep Problems |
X |
X |
|
| Brain Fog |
X |
||
| Skin Temperature Changes |
X |
||
| Loss of Body Hair or Rapid Hair Growth |
X |
||
| Extreme Skin Sensitivity |
X |
X |
Not to the extent of the others |
| Itchy skin |
X |
||
| Digestive Issues |
X |
||
| Swelling |
X |
||
| Loss of Nails or Rapid Nail Growth |
X |
||
| Skin Texture Changes |
X |
||
| Widespread Tenderness |
X |
||
| Mood swings |
X |
X |
|
| Depression |
X |
X |
There are some similarities, but certainly enough differences to make a diagnosis of these unique issues. It also needs to be understood that a patient may have two of these conditions concurrently and I must be aware that possibility exists when treating them.
In our next article, I will discuss diagnosis of and the latest treatments for Central Pain Syndrome.