RA vs Fibromyalgia

[Edgie97]

Hey, bit of a long post so I appreciate you bearing with me.

I was diagnosed with RA 2 months ago after 11 years of skeletal issues, following an emergency doc appointment (I had bursitis.) After doing my research, I thought the doc did a good job as he matched my symptoms to this disease.

However, yesterday I found this article explaining RA and fibromyalgia are commonly mixed up, as symptoms are very similar except for a few. For example;

RA is pain from inflammation, Fibro is not.

RA is symmetrical, e.g pain in right knee, left knee also painful.

RA is joints, Fibro is multi-skeletal.

I’ve never had inflammation except for the bursitis, my pain isn’t symmetrical and I very often have shin, arm and back/neck pain.

I also have - brain fog, frequent headaches, extreme sensitivity to temperature, loud sounds and light, fatigue, RLS and numbness/tingling. ALL of these are symptoms of Fibro!

I’m just so confused, have I been misdiagnosed (again!)? Has anyone here gone through the same thing?

[Mandypandy1969]

sounds like fibro to me but i also have immflammation rate of 97 which is high so i am confused too lol. xx

[Edgie97 in reply to Mandypandy1969]

Lol why is it never straight forward! I have no inflammation yet was diagnosed with an inflammatory disease lol! Best of health to you xx

[Mandypandy1969 in reply to Edgie97]

ooer how odd. big hugs to you. xx

[Edgie97]

Thanks for your story. I have no inflammation what so ever so very confused why they even suggested RA. they’ve sent me the forms to get a rheumy but honestly I didn’t want to do that if the diagnosis is wrong. Plus last time, I was waiting 6months+ to be seen! After 11 years I guess I’m just impatient and want a real diagnosis

[Edgie97]

Thank you, I think I will so I can get a specialists opinion rather than a GP who only gets 5 mins per app!