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Rheumatoid Arithtis or Fibromalgia?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 8/20/2013 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, this is my first time posting here. My last 2 visits to the doctors blood tests revealed my rheumatoid levels were raised. I have been told I have osteoarthritis in both my knees. I have had joint injections in my Knees with very little relief. I ache from head to toe everyday, sore knees, elbows, back, shoulders the list goes on. The doctor told me I was more likely to have Fibromalgia than rheumatoid arthritis, I have another appointment in 2 weeks time and want to know what's wrong with me:(
Posted 8/20/2013 7:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Welcome

you can have Both RA and Fibro - I Do

it can take a while and a lot of tests to actually get a solid diagnosis so don't despair

keep a journal of pain and problems take it to your specialist visit.

it can be very frustrating when you Know there's something Wrong but tests are inconclusive

but unfortunately that can be the way these illnesses go And Remember you can Always get a 2nd opinion and a 3rd and 4th wink

 But just try to take it a day at a time and see what the next visit brings
Posted 8/20/2013 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you, it is frustrating being in pain and others not recognising it. Hopefully with my next hospital visit I may get an insight, but as you say it takes a long time to get a diagnosis.
Thanks again
Posted 8/29/2013 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tulips yellow and welcome! Yes, it can take a long time to get diagnosed. Auto-immune diseases commonly like to bring their friends. I have RA, Sjogrens and Fibro. The symptoms for RA and Fibro can often overlap so I can understand your frustration as I have been there myself.
Posted 8/29/2013 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Tulips! Fibro is not an inflammatory illness but you can have both inflammatory illnesses and fibro. I do. I have fibro and ankyloing spondylitis. The aching all over...sometimes feels like a bad case of the flu...would most likely be caused by fibro.

People with fibro feel pain in joints but there is no inflammation or joint damage. What they actually are feeling is the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that operate the joint. Fibro affects the muscles, tendons, and ligaments and fibromites have pain in all four quandrants of the body. People who have only fibro and no arthritis involvement test negative for inflammation so that's how they know it's not inflammatory. We have several on the fibro forum like that. All tests come back normal.

Pop over over to the fibro forum and read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. You will get a good idea of what I'm talking about and this could help you understand what is going on.

Sherrine
Posted 9/6/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Tulips,

I was just diagnosed with RA and was shocked but knew something was wrong.  They are now telling me that I may have Sjogrens also.  It is very painful to have auto immune diseases and it always seems like they cause all other problems also.  I am new to this also and hope to learn more on this website.  I have been put on plaquenil and have only been on it a week.  I am very concerned about retinal damage.  That is part of the side effect.  What medicine did they put you on?  Also a little nausea involved. cry

Good luck with everything!

Posted 9/6/2013 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Tulips Yellow,
A good rheumy will know the pressure points test. They just press each point with a small amount of pressure. If you have pain in "most" of them you are sure to have fibro. These points are not in the joints. RA hurts in your joints. Fibro is more of the flu-like pain. #1 with fibro- get adequate sleep. Aim for 10 hours each night. 8 hours is a minimum. Use sleep aids if necessary. Avoid STRESS!!! It flares your fibro and RA. Give the Plaquenil at least 2 months to fully work for your RA. If that isn't enough, ask for another DMARD like methotrexate or sulfasalizine. These three can be taken together. If they fail, go for the Biologics. I just did. I take all three DMARD's and now am on 3rd Enbrel. Nothing significant yet but I have hopes. I've been doing this for over 20 yrs. I'm not giving up yet:))

NEVER give up.
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