Confused about Fibromyalgia & Lupus?
Ok, here's the whole story. I had Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia when I was 4 until I was 7. I recovered, had two kids yada yada. Ive been suffering from pain in my joints, both my arms going numb all the time, slight hair loss, sharp shooting pains in my head, ringing ears, rash on my face, swollen hands and feet, TMJ, "blood inflammation, light sensitivity and severe migraines more than 3-4 times a week regardless of the circumstance. I went to TWO different docs so far. A Rheumatologist and a regular MD. One said he thinks its Fibromyalgia (and I know what that is because i did a TON of research) and the other says i have "inflammation in my blood" and some other symptoms "not like" that of Fibromyalgia. He said Lupus and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis could be to blame but Im so confused as to how they are going to diagnose me properly without just sending me out with a "general pain disorder" Im 22 years old, this isn't normal. I lead a pretty healthy lifestyle and Im not overweight so "general pain" just doesn't make sense to me. I know you're not docotrs but Im just looking for some advice maybe from people who have one of the two and what they think my outcome will be. I know its kind of difficult to answer but any help would be greatly appretiated. Thanks so much!
Public Comments
1. I can't really begin to answer this for you, it's way out of my league.What I do know is that people who have one autoimmune disorder are very likely to have others. You could have a confusing array of symptoms because you have multiple disorders going on. "maybe."
Just an idea. These things are difficult to get a good diagnosis for; keep going to doctors and working on it :(
good luck.
2. Well, autoimmune diseases can overlap and the symptoms for many are the same. It is tough to diagnose and it is VERY possible you have both. I was diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogrens Syndrome 4 years ago and recently within the last year the doctors "think" it is just Sjogren' s Syndrome. It is hard because Sjogren's mimics Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.
I know it is very frustrating when your doctors don't even know for sure. Have you tried a university hospital? I have found that they are on top of everything and seem to be the best of the best because they are teaching future doctors, surgeons, and specialists.
3. definately does not sound liek fibromyalgia--there is NO INFLAMMTION with fibro
most docs are incompetant whenit comes to fibro
FIBRO is NOT AUTOIMMUNE--it is a neuro disorder
