Diagnosis

[Robbie61]

Hi, happy new year. My name is Rob and I have been questioning my diagnosis for a while now. I've seen two rheumatologists who have both said that I have early signs of osteoarthritis but my pain is quite often muscular neural type pain and when I compare the symptoms of both on the net, they are much more akin to fibromyalgia. I know they cannot specifically diagnose fibromyalgia but why should they say O.A? Any ideas on the best way to take this forward? Thanks in anticipation R

[rosewine]

Welcome to the forum Rob. It could be you have both. I had had osteo in my neck and back for some years before the fibro symptoms really kicked in. Looking back now I think I may have had fibro most of my life as I had had unexplained muscle pains and some joint pains for most of my life for as I was active, eat well etc I seemed to be able to just about live with it and carry on until just over 7 years back it hit me with a sledge hammer.

Many of the symptoms of the two illnesses and others like Lupus, ME, RA and Thyroid problems to mention a few have overlapping symptoms. Unfortunately, as you have found out at the moment there are no blood tests that can say "fibro" so it tends to be a process of elimination of all the others that then brings them to the fibro diagnosis. I quite often don't know what is causing my pain but it is usually a mixture of both and if I have a "flare" it seems to affect my whole body making my IBS and Osteo go into overdrive.

I am sure others will come on and share their experiences with you and I look forrward to your future posts.x

[Robbie61 in reply to rosewine]

Thanks rosewine x

[Janet28]

Hi Robbie61 welcome to our wonderful forum ☺ I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you, talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro and learning from their experiences

If you think it may be Fibro you should maybe mention to your GP because there is a test they do with tender points on your body.

I Was diagnosed with Polymyagia many years ago which is an arthritis related desease but then much later in life got diagnosed with fibromyalgia. The thing is Fibro symptoms mimic symptoms for many other illnesses & it does quite often take a while to diagnose but I would definitely see your GP again.

Please do go look at the mother site where you will find all the information you need and lots of useful links on Fibro and I look forward to chatting to you on the forum.

fmauk.org

Peace, luv n light

Jan ☺

PS. I advise you to lock your post, to stay safe on the internet. Pls. follow this link to simple instructions You will get more replies on a locked post too.

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Robbie61 in reply to Janet28]

Thanks Jan

[Robbie61 in reply to Robbie61]

My wife has been diagnosed with polymyalgia x

[Trikki]

Hello....I think you may find many of us had a misdiagnosis or a negative result originally but it was only when the Rheumatologist had ruled out everything else. I was diagnosed through xrays and scans initially with OA then I was aware the pain was all over....having ruled out anything else my Rheumy diagnosed Fibro. I think you should maybe ask your Dr. what the Rheumy has told him for your records.......Good luck

[Robbie61 in reply to Trikki]

Thanks Trikki

[TheAuthor]

Hi Robbie61

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I have been diagnosed with both Osteoarthritis and Fibro, so it possible that you have both as rosewine says? I would personally discuss it with your doctor and try and pin them down on what it is exactly? I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself my friend.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Robbie61 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks Ken

[TheAuthor in reply to Robbie61]

Good luck my friend

[Robbie61 in reply to TheAuthor]

Many thanks!

[MariLiz]

As I understand it, osteoarthritis will show up in a blood test but fibromyalgia won't. That doesn't mean you can't have both at the same time. Most of us have more than one diagnosis anyway. Fibromyalgia accompanies thyroid problems and Pernicious Anaemia in my case. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed by a rheumatologist by her checking how many tender spots I had. Do you have pain in several areas?

[Robbie61 in reply to MariLiz]

Yes, thanks