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RA, Sjogrens and now Fibromyalgia?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 8/25/2013 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! My name is Sharon, I am 57 years old and I live in Vegas. I have RA, Sjogrens and just recently my doctor said she thinks I have a "mild case" of fibromyalgia, if there is such a thing. I won't go into details but I am not very happy with her right now. I just saw a post where the OP was stating she had a burning pain in her arms that feels like fire in her veins. This describes perfectly what I feel all the time! Since a lot of the symptoms for RA, Sjogrens and Fibro overlap, it is hard to tell what is causing what pain. Now I can't help but wonder if most of what I feel is related to Fibromyalgia. My doctor never really examined me for it. I know there isn't any lab test to confirm but isn't there an exam she can do to determine if I have Fibromyalgia?
Posted 8/25/2013 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
11/18 tender point test. And they are also working on new research that shows the vessels in our hands are connected to our nerve endings so a CT scan could 'prove' it. But this last idea just came out this summer and needs more research so it will be a long time before this becomes routine.
Posted 8/25/2013 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, and welcome! What doctors usually do is run a myriad of tests to rule out other illesses that share the same symptoms a fibro. If you test normal in these tests then a diagnosis of fibro is usually given. The tender point test is sometimes used but they are finding out this isn't all that accurate. There are people with fibro with only a few tender points they are discovering. The American College of Rheumatology tossed out the tender point check ini 2010 as a way of diagnosing fibro and created a check list instead but some doctors still do the test. But as Anna mentioned, there is a new test for fibro that they are testing right now. Hopefully there will be an accurate test for fibro one of these days. Many have been misdiagosed or said it's all in our heads....NOT!

Be sure to read Fibro 101....the first thread on the forum There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. Good starting links for you would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorouh Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there.

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

Sherrine
Posted 8/26/2013 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone for you help! After researching, I am beginning to think that a lot of the pain that I feel is not RA related as it is the burning sensation that feels like it is in my veins...unless that is what inflammation feels like. This symptom is something new. Also, I have noticed that my skin is very sensitive. For example, I can barely bump my arm on something that really shouldn't hurt and it hurts so bad it feels like someone hit me there. Over the last year, I have had severe problems with my feet...burning and really bad pain. The doctor put me on Neurontin and when I take this, it relieves all the sensitivity as well as the burning sensation in my veins and feet. I Neurontin works on the nerves in the body. Who knows?
Posted 8/26/2013 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
I take it for the sensitivity in my feet. My bed sheet will hurt me sometimes.
Posted 8/26/2013 9:33 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome!

As Sherrine said, Fibro is largely a diagnosis of exclusion. There are symptoms, and no positive tests, that generally help a doctor make a diagnosis.

As far as treatment, the choices are far-ranging and very individual. Many people go all-natural; others use a combination of prescription and supplements. You will have to find what works, because each case is so individual.

The most useful med for me is a prescription muscle relaxer.

Hope your day is good.
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