rheumatoid arthritis

Well, fibro is like a step-sister to RA, I guess! It is not uncommon for RA peeps to get a fibro diagnosis at some point.

RA is an autoimmune disease; as far as I know, fibro is not.

Hi Shawn,

I can give you some insights from my family. My wife has had Fibro for years, she has "bands" of pain that travel, she may have pain in her chest, abdomen, sometimes legs or across her shoulders. I was recently diagnosed with RA, my pain is mainly in my hands, feet and elbows with stiffness that is acute in the morning, or after 20 minutes or so of rest. Mine is more stabbing, and my wifes is more achy. As I understand it, RA is more of joint issue, while Fibro is more muscle related. I cannot claim to be a professional at this, but these are the differences that my wife and I have.

Hope you feel better,

Brad

Hi Shawn,

Fibro can be diagnosed by a GP or rheumatologist.  But a lot of times, people (like me and others) are told that they "just have fibro" when in fact later on it becomes clear there is something more.  That happened to me.  My doctor tested me for RA, and even though I tested postive for rheumatoid factor, my inflammation level (ESR or "Sed rate" was only 28 (normal is up to 20).  However, just a couple months later, my wrist swelled up, and the sed rate was up to 47!  So then dr. gulps, and says, I guess we'd better get you to the rheumatologist!   I already had wrist damage.  It's not something to mess around with.

Anyone can develop fibro - often after an auto accident or other accident, when the pain seems to take on a life of its own.   There are some genetic factors that will pre-dispose one to develop RA, but it often appears after a major trauma like an accident, or even surgery.  (Mine was after a colonoscopy, oddly enough, but I was also emotionally stressed - not sure which was the chicken and which was the egg, there.)  Nothing shows up on the standard blood tests, but researchers have found subtle differences.  There is more of "substance P" in the spinal fluid.  The nervous system is stressed and produces more pain than seems appropriate.  There is often a huge amount of fatigue (this is also true in RA), so it can be hard to distinguish.  Even testing positive for rheumatoid factor is not definitive for RA, there are some other conditions. 

Yes and no. RA is an auto immune disease and fibromyalgia is a neurological condition. However, many rheumatologist treat fibromyalgia and from what I can see on this site, RA and fibro often coexist (unhappily) in the same person. Healthcentral's Chronic Pain site has a section about fibromyalgia with lots of information about the condition, coping mechanisms and treatment.