Could I have both Rheumatoid Athritus and Fibromyalgia
This may sound silly but I never thought about it until just read that Lisa Copen has both rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. About 15 years ago (or more) I was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis and the about 10 years ago my doctor said I have fibromyalgia. So I thought I had been mis-diagnosed! Does this mean I may have both? I thought you could only have one or the other. And I only claim DLA for FMS!
Yes you could have both. An FM diagnosis does not preclude a RA diagnosis. Besides the fact that both disorders are often accompanied by alot of pain there are some differences in symptoms. RA is generally accompanied by localized pain and joint swelling. FM is generally characterized by widespread pain (and sometimes localized pain) without joint swelling. The hands and feet of FM patients can swell but the swelling isn't concentrated on the joints as occurs in RA. Several blood tests can be used to assist physicians in a RA diagnosis. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for FM.
That said neither disease is particularly easy to diagnose and some patients kind of toe the line between each.
http://www.healthcentral.com/chronic-pain/fibromyalgia-treatment.html
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Talk about good timing! One of the experts on our rheumatoid arthritis site, MyRACentral.com, just wrote a SharePost answering your question. Thought you would like to see it. Can I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia?
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