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Fibro AND RA?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/15/2015 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with fibro back in February after several months of really bad chronic pain that made it hard just to get home after work. I ended up dropping out of school because of it (I'm 23, I was only a few months away from graduating university). My pain was different back then though -- I really did feel it mostly in my back and legs (thighs & calves) but now it's mostly in my knees, feet/ankles and wrists. It's remained pretty constant in my neck, shoulders, and hips.

A blood test came back with elevated C reactive protein (indicative of inflammation) so my GP said it's probably not fibro. I'm being referred to an internist, but... Couldn't it still be? She mentioned it might be arthritis (probably rheumatoid, right? I'm a little young for osteoarthritis) but I'm wondering if it could be both/if this is anything anyone has experience with.

I mean... I'm taking Lyrica (75mg twice daily) and it seems to be doing something...
Posted 5/15/2015 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Strawberry Jam, and welcome! I have Fibro and also ankylosing spondylitis which is like rheumatoid arthritis of the spine. Yes, you can have both. My inflammation levels are high because of it. Fibro isn't considered an inflammatory illness so when the tests came back with inflammation, they started hunting more. I saw a board certified rheumatologist for my diagnosis. They deal with both of these illnesses.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are good links about Fibro and you will learn a lot there. Good starting links for you would be A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia and What Else Could It Be. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. More to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 5/15/2015 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks!

I've been reading a lot about fibromyalgia but mostly I thought it was only a diagnosis of exclusion kind of thing. I definitely understand why they're "going hunting" when seeing my elevated C reactive protein but maybe my doctor shouldn't have been so quick to say I definitely don't have fibro?

This suuuuucks.
Posted 5/15/2015 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
There are tender points they will probably check that helps with a Fibro diagnosis. ,you don't have those with MS I don't think. A rheumatologist can tell you all of that.

Let us know how your appointment goes because we do care about you.

Sherrine
Posted 5/15/2015 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
I got diagnosed with lupus, then fibromyalgia, then RA. So you can have more than one.
I noticed my fibro is more muscle than joint. My RA is totally joint. An xray of my hands was all I needed to get diagnosed with RA.

And you're right it does stink.
Posted 5/15/2015 1:04 AM (GMT 0)

Sherrine said...
There are tender points they will probably check that helps with a Fibro diagnosis.

Yeah, my GP did this test when I first went to her. I had 12/18 trigger points (my knees kept buckling when she pressed on them -- I'm shocked I didn't fall to the floor).

Thanks for your replies, you guys! I feel a little better now knowing that the fibro symptoms were "real." It's a little frustrating thinking of the "laundry list of diseases" I'm going to have pretty soon (I've already got depression, anxiety, PCOS and fibromyalgia, plus some chronic heartburn that I guess is GERD...) but hey, if I'm going to be in pain either way, it might as well be explained pain.
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