Question:
I have a question. I've was taught (and tested on this) that Fibromyalgia does
NOT include joint pain, although I've noticed that people here have
Fibromyalgia secondary to Arthritis. I know someone who has joint pain (many
joints) as well as muscular pain and was diagnosed with only Fibromyalgia. She
feels she was not diagnosed properly, and I tend to agree. I'd like to hear
what others here think of this, and if you know of any good sources of
information.
Answer:
I began my arthritis journey about 4 years ago with fibromyalgia. I
was sleeping less than 4 hours continuously and the long term sleep
deprevation took its toll. A very high number of people with
fibromyalgia have sleep disorders. Thankfully, I was referred to a
rheumatologist for my Fibromyalgia. At that time he identified some
factors in a blood test that "could" indicate early onset of RA. His
theory was that the joint pain was waking me up and disturbing my sleep
cycle before I could get into REM sleep. Therefore, the body breaks
down--particularly the muscles which do not heal without that deeper
sleep. Hence, muscle pain.
He began by treating me with anti-inflamatories and a mild
anti-depressant called nortryptiline which allowed me to sleep. In
about three months I was doing great. This went well for about a year
and then my hands began to cramp up and I had trouble with my ankles.
The pain increased, my hands swelled and I gegqn to drop things.
Couldn't hold small objects etc. Had another blood test and joint
inspection and a definite RA diagnosis. It's been an up and down
journey since then with new treatments etc.
I tell you all this because so many I've met seem to have the same
story. Fibromyalgia brought on by Arthritis, especially, but not
confined to, Rheutmatoid type. It may be that she has no blood factors
showing up yet but is headed for the arthritis. However, there are
other diseases that cause both joint pain and fibromyalgia "touch"
points which are painful. I strongly advise a second
opinion--especially by a qualified rheumatologist. Others I have met
who have fibromyalgia as a secondary illness are folks with diabetis,
breathing difficulties (such as sleep aphnia) and heart problems. In
almost all I've met, the fibromyalgia seems to be connected to sleep
interuption of some kind.
I would be curious to hear from others in the group who may have
similar stories to mine or may have better advice than I can give with
my limited experience in this disease. Hope you can find help for your
friend,
