RA vs Fibromyalgia: Hey, bit of a long... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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RA vs Fibromyalgia

Edgie97 profile image
5 Replies

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?

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Edgie97 profile image
Edgie97
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5 Replies
Mandypandy1969 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
Mandypandy1969 in reply to Edgie97

ooer how odd. big hugs to you. xx

Edgie97 profile image
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 profile image
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!

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