Sometimes the pain is in my left hip or left knee or left ankle. Sometimes the pain is in the right in these areas. Sometimes it is my wrists and sometimes it is general tingling in fingers and feet. Mostly in bed at night but sometimes during the day. The pain comes and goes. I am not in pain constantly. Blood tests ruled out Rheumatoid arthritis. One doctor said osteoarthritis and another fibromyalgia. So I am confused. I am NOT depressed or extremely tired which I know are two symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Thanks, Kim
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Kimberley56
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Morning I can see why you are confused as two different doctors have told you two different conditions and yes really what you want is some straight answers, my doctor after blood results were clear did the pressure points test I reacted to pain on most of them I had only been under his care for around 4 months but he gave me a diagnosis fairly quickly, haven said this my previous doctor didn't even think about the test or even mention fibro so this went on for a few years without answers, I do read quite a lot on the forum that people can take awhile to get the result they need to hear. Perhaps the doctor that said fibromaylia can get a referral done to see a Rheumatologist. Good luck Kim in getting some answers , should you decide to visit our forum again it might be helpful in locking your posts as it normally generates more replies , it's just our community that see them and not out there to all on the internet here's the link healthunlocked.com/fibromya... Best wishes xx
It sounds like you are going through the diagnosis process which an be often frustrating and lengthy unfortunately, as the Rheumatologist likes to look into every possibility before finally making a diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Fibro in 2007 after having symptoms for a year and at this time I was most definitely not depressed. My low mood has most certainly been reactive depression to the difficulties I've faced learning to live with Fibro 24/7.
To be completely honest with you, some members here have a primary diagnosis of RA, OA Hypermobility etc and have a secondary diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, so it is possible to have both. Whether this is the case in your situation, I would not like to say and thinkit is probably best to be guided by your healthcare professionals.
I sincerely hope you find out what is causing your pain as often when we have a name to an illness it can often be a relief. Do keep us posted and if you wish you may like to visit our mother site which has a wealth of information about Fibromyalgia - fmauk.org
Hi I also have osteoarthritis in both knees, hips and arthritis in shoulders and hands, have seen a rheumatologist who did the pressure point tests and said fibromyalgia and maybe neuropathy
I have both... look after yourself and don’t worry about the labels although nice to know and then be treated ... but you are the one who treats yourself if you get what I mean
Healing hugs xx
Kimberley56 I wonder hun when you say in your hip and knee is it on and around the boney areas? is your hip on rotation or is it higher up in the big muscle? OA is usually in bones and joints and fibro is mostly in muscle areas that surround the bones and joints, there are no tests for fibro but there are for OA.. I didnt have tiredness with fibro at first its only after long use of muscle to counteract joints that are not working properley; that I found the muscle soreness and tiredness,, if yu can work gently on pumping up your muscles especially upper legs upper arms and lower back you might cope better, I use hydrotherapy and sometimes aqua aerobics I find in water so much easier than on dry land. I watch tennis a lot and players like Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak, all have had joint work done, if you look at their muscles they use them instead of joints stress...
Don't forget, you are entitled to ask for a second opinion or to see a specialist . My doctor quickly referred me to a consultant when he diagnosed me with OA in both shoulders. The consultant done some movement tests and agreed with my gp. He wanted to leave it at that and just treat it with steroid injections. I disagreed (My gp had already tried injections and they didn't work) and asked for a scan, either x-ray or MRI. If I hadn't asked, I wouldn't have been scanned. The fact that the bone was actually pushing against my tendon and nerves wouldn't have been picked up and I wouldn't be having surgery to clear the bone from these areas.
What I'm trying to say is, you know your body. If you disagree with a decision, say so. If 2 doctors have got you confused, speak up. A good doctor will listen and explain.
Also, imho, find a doctor you are comfortable talking to and only see that doctor. I now only see one doctor unless it's an emergency. He knows my history, what meds I'm on, what treatments have been tried. As my doctor said to me, he feels like he's back at school as he is having to research different treatments but also the history of fibromyalgia and new ways of managing pain etc.
Hope you get a firm diagnosis soon so you can move on with proper treatments.
Just to add to all these comments above, I'm in the situation where I was originally diagnosed with fibro ... and then many years later - after lots of nagging at the doctor and having tests done - other arthritis-related things have been found. I've since been diagnosed with osteo-arthritis in my neck, knees and ankles, hip bursitis, and calcific tendonitis in my shoulders. I'm currently seeing a rheumatologist as rheumatoid arthritis is suspected due to my family history of this. I honestly now question my original fibro diagnosis - I just think the doctor who said fibro couldn't be bothered to do any more investigations!
So my advice would be, if you're uncertain whether your fibro diagnosis is correct, keep pushing the doctors for more investigations/tests. The problem is, once you have a fibro diagnosis, it's very difficult to get any doctors to consider anything else. It's taken me many years, and a lot of fighting against the system, in order to get further investigations.
Neither fibro nor osteoarthritis are mutually exclusive they can and do co-exist so it is possible to have both as many of us on here are unfortunate enough to suffer both. The pain for me at least is slightly different. Possibly the best bet is to find a decent rheumatologist who can diagnose both conditions and sort out what is in fact the problem for you. My osteo is very obvious by the bony growths and distorted joints along with MRI scans it is pretty obvious to see where the problems relate to osteoarthritis. My chiropractor sorts out much of the muscle problems relating to osteo although of course some muscle aches are fibro related too. Difficult to know where one ends and another starts as they merge together. Good luck in your quest for answers
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I have Fibro, Osteo (on r hip) and Spong (on back 2 places) ie 3 types of arthritis - I'm 44, a dad and a gardener/ handyman, so life changing diagnosis, in addition to shoulder and nose injuries that just add to the poor sleep, which I feel stops me healing and along with other factors has created a cycle of issues. Your description so resonated and also describes me, I had to write as a new bee to site. Ie my specialist (who was quick, accurate and helpful, although now discharged back to GP with referral to support group - I'm Dorset) listed me as having all 3, and its seems Fibro that seems the worst and most far reaching and complicated. But as with all problems, self analysis and your own carefully considered personalised plan can be the best solution or at least limit the impact - don't rely on medical esp General. Best wishes
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