so discouraged after the fibromyalgia workshop that I just participated in.

[smilelines]

I didn't advocate for myself enough and should have gotten more help for my fibromyalgia. I still can't tell the difference between it and my PSA. I may have been exercising too much and thus keeping the pain cycle going. So discouraged. I probably needed some help four years ago to systematically do some sort of systematic exercise program. Really, will I ever really know? Maybe it is just flares in my arthritis and maybe it isn't that my nervous system is sensitized to pain. Doesn't make me feel confident in that my rheumatologist says the puffiness above my wrists is fibromyalgia when other professionals say you can't physically see fibromyalsia. Hugs to all that understand how I feel. For those beginning the journey of fibromyalgia don't just let someone say you have it without providing you with ways to keep it at bay.

[Deeb1764]

found this books really helpful when you have other conditions it is so hard to pick out what is what. You can get it on Kindle

Fibromyalgia and Muscle Pain

Your Guide to Self-Treatment

By Leon Chaito

[smilelines in reply to Deeb1764]

Thank you. I will check this out.

[Madmusiclover]

An ultrasound would show if puffiness is PSA. My rheumy tried to pass off some of my lumps and aches as fibro last week. Then he scanned them. Alive with RA and OA. Ha!

[smilelines in reply to Madmusiclover]

the guy in the seminar said that you can't actually see fibromyalgia so it would seem any swelling is something else. My rheumologogist says that it can't be PsA because that is only in the joint and this is above the joint on my arm. 🤷‍♀️ A person who was in the seminar said they were told they had fibromyalgia just in their leg. So if fibromyalgia is a wide spread syndrome how can someone be diagnosed with it just in their leg? Glad you got a scan and had the OA detected. It seems to be one of the easiest arthritis's to diagnose.

[cyberbarn in reply to smilelines]

Whoah! Fibro just in their leg? That goes completely against the criteria for fibro! Makes you want to lose faith in the medical profession!

[smilelines in reply to cyberbarn]

I agree!

[J1707-]

like you I have both PsA and fibro. Yep telling the difference is difficult as PsA can attack tendons as well joints so much more difficult than just RA… I’m slowly working it out as I suffer with PN too and fibro and inflammation can cause nerve pain. I have realised as time has gone on I am exercise intolerant now. I now know sleep disturbance due to spot pain is fibro as is parenthesis and skin burning ( like an iron resting on skin ) also bladder issues . Stiffness swelling and joint heat with enthesitis is my PsA but every now and again a curve ball is thrown and then I decide it’s all of it together to blame. You have my sympathy trying to decode your body.

[smilelines in reply to J1707-]

Thank you for writing this to me. 💜

[Mmrr]

I also am exercise intolerant and understand the frustration of trying to do the best you can for yourself whilst struggling to keep your pain manageable.

[smilelines]

I have a hard time even accepting I feel so crappy despite all of the immunosuppressants I am taking. I really thought if I took the medicine and got the PeA under control I’d be a lot better. Thank you for your reply. ❤️.

[Kati66]

Hi Smilelines,

I have trouble with doctors confusing symptoms of RA and Fibromyalgia too! As far as I’m aware, swelling in joints isn’t a symptom but I know fibromyalgia can affect people in lots of different ways. Xxx