Fibromyalgia

[1964-karina]

My daughter has just phoned me to say she has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia 🥺(she’s only 33) 2 questions, is this connected to polymyalgia which I have and she has been prescribed Prozac, is this normal? Sorry I know this is a polymyalgia site but some people’s have said they have fibromyalgia as well.

[Louisepenygraig]

Although they sound similar they are two completely different conditions. They both cause muscle pain (myalgia) but the causes of the pain and where it is are different. I don't know about Prozac but I have been prescribed amitryptaline for my Fibromyalgia which is a different class of antidepressant and it has helped a lot.

[1964-karina in reply to Louisepenygraig]

Thankyou so much for replying. 🙂

[HeronNS]

Although we might quibble with some of the details in this article it is a reasonably clear description of the difference.

arthritis.org/living-with-a...

[1964-karina in reply to HeronNS]

Thankyou, that was very helpful. Just wish she lived closer 😩

[HeronNS in reply to 1964-karina]

My cousin claims to have cured herself of fibro. I don't know if that really can be done, but maybe it is possible? Don't know how legit this site is, but interesting:

uppercervicalawareness.com/...

I think the longer one has fibro the harder it is to shake it, but there is a window of several years.

[1964-karina in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks I will pass this on to her x

[SheffieldJane]

They are both autoimmune diseases and some folk get them both. I know of no other link. I have heard of Amitriptyline being helpful. Of course depression goes hand in hand with these diseases and makes them so much harder to bear. So perhaps this explains the Prozac. I am sorry your young daughter is suffering this.

[1964-karina in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thankyou for replying, you never stop worrying about your children do you? 🤔

[SheffieldJane in reply to 1964-karina]

No never, and then their children!

[1964-karina in reply to SheffieldJane]

Definitely, grandchildren are something very special 😍

[GerriMc in reply to SheffieldJane]

I think the antidepressants are given because of the direct effect they have on the nerves rather than on any depression that might accompany the condition. I heard a neurologist on the radio recently talking about it. Wish I’d paid more attention now!

[Angiejnz]

I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia last September on top of PMR diagnosis in May last year. I've taken pmr for years to stave off depression and on the whole it has worked well. I have nortriptyline at night to help with pain and sleep which counteracts the insomnia part if pred. It's pretty grim having both but there are still far worse things out there. Once I was diagnosed, the sense of relief there being a reason for being perpetually tired and in pain and it wasn't me being a hypochondriac was huge. Best wishes to your daughter

Angie in NZ

[1964-karina in reply to Angiejnz]

Thankyou, she said that when the doctor said fibromyalgia she cried because at least she knew there was something not just in her head as one doctor had told her! 😠

[Angiejnz in reply to 1964-karina]

Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt 🤣 It is a relief to know it's a real disease not imagined. Fibro ebbs and flows so some days are better than others but she doesn't have to explain or defend herself when the condition has a name. Best wishes to you both xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

No, they are totally different conditions. PMR is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder, fibromyalgia is a disorder of pain perception, a neurological disorder, with no proof that it is autoimmune although that is a matter of dispute. It IS a real disorder.

aarp.org/health/conditions-...

[Angiejnz in reply to PMRpro]

Great article, clear and informative especially for newbies and family, friends etc. Thanks for finding it

[1964-karina in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou for your reply much appreciated

[Atracta]

It is about constant pain, I know it isn;t Pmr/Gca but helpful to the person who wants to know the answer,

[1964-karina]

Thankyou