Could I have Fibromyalgia

[greenraven]

Can fibromyalgia cause chronically swollen hands along with stiffness, weakness and also really bad finger joint pain. And also, tendonitis in back of the heel and painful heels. Waiting to see a rheumotologist..have had low back pain which was consistent and got worse over the last 2 years but now is barely noticable and also neck pain on one side of my neck. Have also had pins and needles in feet and lower legs for last 3 years with one leg often feeling cold. I keep having elbow pain and stiffness but not always at same time. One of my eyes keeps being really dry whilst the other streams. I also have numb patches on my feet. Not even sure if all of these thing are related! Does this sound=d like fibromyalgia or something else. Many thanks. From Greenraven

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to our community. Here you will find information support friendship and laughter too. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our main website fmauk.org

While your symptoms *could* be fibromyalgia, however unless you have had other possible conditions ruled out by a health professional it's impossible to say.

[bora62]

Hi I think we must be sisters lol...my fibro diagnosed on and off for years by different specialists.. Had back pain for 15 years plus, the hands are stiff and swollen and getting worse. left eye really dry, although right gets dry and red every few days ?? I've been waiting for my appt with rheumy but fear that I shall see father xmas before I see him lol... Try keep smiling until someone helps, that is what I'm trying to do, love and hugs x

[Patdoyle in reply to bora62]

Hi you both have similar symptoms to myself.I was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Pain moves all over my body, pins and needles and cold feeling on my skin, sore eyes painful feet. I could go on!

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hopefully seeing the rheumatologist won’t be long and give you some answers, if you do get diagnosed come back and see us again on the forum, good luck and take care xx

[lancslass56]

Your symptoms are exactly like I had before being diagnosed. I also had various scans and tests for appendicitis, kidney stones etc, all were negative. Finally saw a wonderful specialist and although no one wants to hear it's fibro it was a relief to know what was wrong after years of struggling.

Good luck and take care, Lynn x

[greenraven in reply to lancslass56]

Many thanks to all that replied...the thing that makes m think it isn't fibro is the dradful pain and stiffness in my finger joints..does anyone else have this..thanks.

[lancslass56]

My fingers were so stiff and sore in a morning I couldn't hold a cup of tea. Had all the tests done for arthritis (especially as it runs in my family) but they were all negative and it was put down to Fibro. I used to soak my hands in warm water and sometimes Epsom salts to get them moving. Now they are not as bad except in cold weather so my gloves go on about September and a second pair by November 😊

[greenraven in reply to lancslass56]

Thank you for replying..i have the same problem but find my actual joints hurt..is this common to fibro. I have a friend with the condition but she can't relate to it.

[lancslass56]

People with Fibro experience different symptoms. Joint pain can be one of them along with pins and needles, burning, itching, stabbing pains etc. You will only know for sure when you are seen by a health professional. On here we can give advice and support but we can not diagnose if you have fibro or not. Hopefully you will soon get answers.

[waylay]

Could also be some kind of inflammatory arthritis (both fibro and IAs can affect the eyes)? Not a doctor tho, just had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis as a kid (now called J Idiopathic A, I think). Hope you see rheumatologist soon!!

If you notice *any* changes in your vision before you see the rheumie you may want to get your eyes checked by an opthamologist. Long term dry eye *can* result in eye damage, and IAs *can* predispose you to various eye problems. They're often easily treatable, but untreated, some eye problems can cause blindness. Please don't worry yourself about it, as I'm not an expert (unless you happen to start having eye symptoms such as blurred vision, redness, pain, loss of vision, etc.)

Cheers!

[greenraven in reply to waylay]

thank you..got an appointment today for 22nd..so hopefully can get to the bottom of it all x