It's not fibo

[terri19]

Please help, came back from the rheumatologist today and he thinks I have spondylitis arthritis and psoriasis, I'm so upset or is this better than having fibo, which for months my Dr and pain specialist have been treating me for, any help with diagnosis would be great , I just don't know what to think from a sad Terri

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Terri

Do you mind me asking why you feel sad?

Do you think that you were expecting a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and instead have been given a different diagnosis?

To be honest with you I don't think either diagnosis is "better" than the other, but I am not an expert on spondylitis arthritis and psoriasis.

I would imagine (but I am not a doctor) that the diagnosis you have been given is more treatable than Fibromyalgia which would make it a good thing as it is very hard to get severe Fibromyalgia to a manageable level.

Lu xx

[bluebell99]

Hi terri19

I can understand why you are so upset to be given a different diagnosis, especially if you have resigned yourself to the thought of fibro. This doesn't mean you don't have fibro as well of course, as it often comes with other conditions.

However, I think your rheumatologist has done you proud. He was prepared to look at you and your symptoms without having preconceived notions that everything you are suffering from can be put down to fibro.

It is not a diagnosis you would wish for but it is a starting point to get you on track with your medication and treatment. Give yourself time to get used to the idea and as with fibro, find out as much information as you can.

HU may be a good place to start, go to My Communities at the top of the page, scroll down to Browse Communities and enter your conditions.

PLease do keep us updated on your progress

Kay

[Hidden]

Terri hun please be glad you havn.t got fibro. spondylitis can be treated succeffully, arthritis can be calmed with good meds and some physio and "psoriasis" I am guessing you mean the skin type? Lots of treatments for that, BUT for fibro you would be on a hiding to a probable nothing, in answer to your question YES its much better than having fibro..

[Trikki]

I agree with all the other replies...you really do not want fibro!!! I hope you are able to get some help with your arthritis very soon....

[soppysokes]

Hello Terri

Depends if it is anklosing spondylitis or'just' spondylitis. its all a personal thing everyone is different but having experience of both AS and Fibro I would say fibro is the lesser of the two evils but it is all down to how one is affected.

[TheAuthor]

Hi terri19

I am so genuinely sorry to read of how you are feeling and I truly hope that you can find some resolution to these issues. Fibro can be quite bad, but then again so can the other conditions that you have been diagnosed with? I do not personally truly believe that there is much difference between one very painful condition and another myself. 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

[Katt]

Hi

I was in a similar position last autumn. I knew mine was more than fibromyalgia but it did take an MRI scan for my rheumy to see inflammation in my pelvis before she believed me! From personal experience I find the inflammation of the spine caused by psoriatic arthritis and axial spondylitis is far more debilitating and painful. The good news is that there are drugs to help prevent flares and hopefully permanent damage to joints. I am currently on methotrexate, however these drugs are very powerful and have pretty nasty side effects. As people have already said, I don't think there is a better disease! However the important thing is you have been diagnosed so at least you can start on an appropriate treatment. Good luck x