Adding fibromyalgia to the bunch?

[Myshkin]

I just saw a rheumy today, who was from my insurance agency and hired to do a medical exam for insurance purpose alone.

But during the exam he tested me for fibro and I tested positive on all 18 tenderpoints. He is very sure that I have fibromyalgia.

I have never thought of that before - and neither has my regular neuro I think. I must admit that I have always had the same predujice against the fibro diagnosis ad many others have.

But now that I apparently have both Sjogren's and fibromyalgia - should I do anything differently? Is there any other treatments etc.?

[Ark mom]

I have it too.  Sjogrens overshadows my fibromyalgia symptoms by far.  I don't really take anything for the fibro right now, but I have taken Savella in the recent past, which worked really well for me.  Unfortunately I couldn't tolerate one side effect, increased heart rate.  Hope you find the answers that you need!  Take care.

[Myshkin]

I haven't really given it any thought really - in my book fibro is about pain, and pain is by far the least of my problems. He really talked a lot about pain, and well yeah, I have a substantial amount of pain, but with fatique and dryness I have to say that my pain is the least of my concearns. I guess that is why I have never thought about fibromyalgia? I don't think about pain as not even on the top 3 of my problems. (except that right hip of mine - that one is a bitch!)

What is the purpose of treating fibromyalgia? Like I said - the pain is really not bothering me. It's the fatique that is getting the better of me. And whether that is from Sjogren's or fibro... well....

[jazzlover]

Fibro was my first diagnosis 30 years ago. All they can do is treat symptoms. Most of my FM pain turned  out to be from eating gluten and from Lyme and babesiosis. My pain levels are not as bad now.

Also in the mix .. candida.. that  causes me pain.

[Myshkin]

No miracle cure for fibromyalgia related fatigue anyone?...

[LadyDi]

At my last visit to the rheumatologist, he felt how tight my face, neck and shoulder muscles were. He asked me if I was in pain and I proceeded to tell him how painful and tight these muscles have been for years.

He explained that I probably suffer from fibromyalgia on top of having Sjogren's. He told me that at the next visit if I am still not sleeping well and have tight muscles and pain, that he might prescribe me amytriptyline.

I don't feel very good about adding another med to the mix that I am already on. Ugh!

[Cheryl]

Myshkin,
I had a similar discussion with my rheumy.  He told me that pain is a cause of fatigue.  Maybe treating your pain will reduce the fatigue.  Best wishes!
Cheryl

[Reanne]

ditto what Cheryl said.  I totally agree I have so much more energy when I'm not in constant pain. I've also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  I am just starting Cymbalta for the pain.

[Skylar]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia too - but frankly I think its just due to the overall inflammation that we suffer from.

I was able to put mine into complete remission by changing my diet  - I used to eat the Standard American Diet but now I follow Dr. John McDougall's diet - eliminating dairy, meat and oils made a huge difference - completely eliminated the pain and fatigue - and eliminated gluten helped with all kinds of health issues. Food has a huge effect on our health.

[ellenkerr]

I was dx with fibro about 15 years ago.  I am in the process of testing for Sjogrens, even though a rheumy dx sjs over a year ago without the antibodies for sjs but based on all my history and symptoms.  I am pretty certain I have sjs, and waiting for the final word.

My question is when you have both fibro and sjs, how do you know which one is causing the aches and pains since their symptoms seem to be similar?  Maybe it doesn't matter since you just treat the symptoms, but I was wondering if anyone out there that has both, actually know which one was causing their symptoms on a day to day basis?

[warmwaters]

Throwing this question into the mix. I recently saw a second rheumy. Long story why, we'll skip it for now.  She diagnosed me with fibromyalgia, and confirmed my Sjogrens both based on symptoms and bloodwork and biopsy.

Then I went back to my regular rheumy, who is well known in the Sjogren's community, and reported what the other said. And my regular rheumy said that fibromyalgia is a diagnosis of exclusion - that if you have another underlying rheumatological or pain condition, then you don't have fibromyalgia.   

Mayo Clinic concurs:
Widespread pain lasting at least three months
No other underlying condition that might be causing the pain

However the National Fibromyalgia site says
To receive a diagnosis of FM, the patient must meet the following diagnostic criteria:
Widespread pain in all four quadrants of the body for a minimum duration of three months
Tenderness or pain in at least 11 of the 18 specified tender points when pressure is applied

SO.... what have others heard about fibromyalgia being concurrent with other diseases, like Sjogrens, RA, lupus etc?

I'm confused.  I'm also not sure that the treatment would be any different either. 

[susanep]

I also have fibromyalgia, and am feeling it right now big time. lol...My neck muscles are so tight that it hurts down my neck, down my back on that side, and has even caused a nerve to hurt down my arm.

I take muscle relaxants and Neurontin for it, and it does help.

susanep