symptoms: extremely stiff hips when i wake up (for a couple of hours) and after sitting for a while-it's actually affecting my ability to walk normally. weight loss, fatigue and sleepiness (no matter how much i sleep), occasionally sore and tender big toe joints, persistent neck pain and stiffness, prominent neck lymph nodes. i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a year ago, and i have been dealing with these symptoms for about that long. at the time of diagnosis, they tested me for lupus, lyme disease, thyroid disease, and b12 deficiency. i had an emg, which was normal. all my labwork was normal except my urinalysis had high leukocytes, at which point they said i had a uti (with zero symptoms) and put me on antibiotics. i was diagnosed with fibro by a rheumatologist. i am a 27 year old female with a family history of lupus, reynaud's, and rheumatoid arthritis. i am getting progressively and rapidly worse, and i am seriously doubting the fibromyalgia diagnosis. could i have rheumatoid arthritis?
Hi Rach,
You do talk about symptoms of RA, it is just so hard to tell. We are not medical professionals, we can only offer info from our own personal fight with the disease. I am including a link for RA Imposters as well, just for more info for you to use. I would make lots of notes, and discuss them with your Rheumy on your next visit. To dx RA they need to do a family history, bloodwork, and a full physical. No one item points directly to RA. Do some research and go to your next visit informed and ready to discuss your suspicions with your doc. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.
Brad
Hi Rech,
I also have a family history of RA. and I have not been under a doctors care as long as under my own care. Due to the history and just assuming that is what I have,The last few years I been getting as much treatment from my GP as I can. I pretty much tell him what I need and thats what we do. I did ask 2-3 years ago for a test to make sure it is RA. and it did come back Pos. I have RA. but some things was not jiveing with RA. I have pain in more then 2 quads. of my body at the same time, I have developed a serious sencivity to sound and light. I mentioned this to my GP and got pretty much a blank look. It was as I was reading everything on the Computer I can set eyes on, looking for things to help myself with the RA,( I do try to stick to the most rep. med. sites as you can get some misleading info if you are not careful.) I found that the sym. between the two are so much alike, however FB. is found to be in more then 2 quds. at same time and RA generally hit no more then one side of the body and only 2 quds at once. The light and sound sencivity is more time the not connected to FB. I ask my Doctor if was posible that I could have both. My answer was ,"Anything is possible!" (?) I was also told there is no test for FB. really! If you are have a Rhemu. Spec. ask about the pain in the diff. quad of your body and the light and sound, if or not you have that, it may help them and you decide, RA or FB. As for myself I think I tested pos. for RA but If those symtoms are only found with FB. I have that as well. Hope you find the answers and help you need!! The not knowing is flusterating!
This sounds like me Rach. I know exactly how you feel. I have been diagnosed with both fibro, OA, and poly RA by my rheumy.
Just a suggestion: You might want to see a sleep specialist too. When you don't sleep well it makes it hard for the body, and mind, to deal with the constant pain. Although the CPAP isn't too glamorous, it has helped me sleep better and deeper, which has also eased some of the fibro symptoms.
The RA, on the other hand, is a recent diagnosis and progressing. I'm still learning how to adapt. Which is why I joined here yesterday.
You can possibly have both. I have been living with a diagnoses of RA, FB and OA for 20+ years. Yes, the symptoms for FB and RA are extremely similar and can occur at the same time. I have come to the conclusion for my own body, that the FB flare up can be more of a pulsing pain in my joints and muscles and more widespread at the same time. Basically my whole body hurts and swells. Where as my RA pain is more concentrated to my joints. However the pain and stiffness of an RA flare up can lay me up because I can't get past the intense pain. My OA is a constant pain in one joint at a time.
Mind you this is all my own particular situation as we are all different.
There is no particular test for FB. You have to meet a certain # of criteria as referenced from the American College of Arthritis. There are several tests for RA and the test results will help your doctor make that determination. My OA was diagnosed with xrays and bone scans. The deterioration of cartlige is different in RA and OA.
Get with your doc, remind him of your family history of RA as it is partly genetic. He should call for some blood tests to diagnose. And please do not be discouraged if it takes a while to come back with a good diagnoses. Fortunately today the meds for FB and RA can be the same and will help either or. Oh and ask for a sleep aid. You need to sleep to heal.
Good luck,
Ronie
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