Fibromyalgia and Lupus

[justsotired]

Can anyone tell me what the main differences are between Fibromyaligia and Lupus? How does a doctor make a diagnosis either way?

here's what my new GP had to say about my Fibro

I had pain (increasing in frequency) for years before I finaly got a diagnosis thanks to a fab RAF doctor. Since then though, I ahve gone downhill. I get constant pain, which sometimes flares up and causes even worse pain, I get numbness,pins and needles,IBS,memory problems, I currnetly have eye problms and hav ehad no feeling in 2 of my fingers for ages now.

It is difficult to diangose,a nd I think the response I got from my new GP highlights what a lot of GPs think

Alypaly - interesting what you say about the parvo/slapped cheek. 2 years ago the DSes had slapped cheek and I got an all over body rash,swollen joints and was bedridden for 2 weeks. Since then my flare ups have become more severe and more frequent.

Alypaly Your symptoms sounds very very similar to mine! I was diagnosed with M.E./CFS years ago. But I am suffering with bowel problems that I keep getting told is IBS but I'm not convinced tbh. I am also getting really dry eyes and sometimes my skin just hurts to touch it. My DH will flick me or something and I say "ow" and he just says "oh like that hurt" but it really does.

I was anaemic last year, had iron tabs and it went away. However my last blood test shoed that my iron levels are dropping again. My doc is thinking of stopping my periods which I don't want. They are not that heavy and I want to ttc DC2 next year. I have had endometriosis in the past and I'm not sure if it is back. I get so many random pains, I don't know what is what and I don't even bother mentioning it now. Maybe I need to keep a diary of all aches and pains then take it to my doctor.

I am also brusing badly on my legs atm. I was also tested for arthritus recently as my joints were really playing up. Test was neg so they haven't done anything about it. I haven't had the same pain since, but I'm still thinking that it wasn't normal and my kness do play up now and again.

Does anyone have the same or similar symptoms?

I have never been the same since I had glandular fever years ago. I wonder if that set it off?

I know GF is known to often cause M.E./CFS but I didn't have any virus (that we knew of), it seemed to come on gradually.

Well - I went to the docs and had the blood tests. Went back today for the results and I've had a positive ANA test. He's referring me to a rheumatologist so that will hopefully get me closer to a diagnosis. Because of joint pain that i get he thinks it might be rheumatoid arthritis but none of the other tests came back positive so the jury is out. Reading these posts back, I do get really tired arms when I hold them up in the air or when I'm blow drying my hair and I feel shattered most of the time. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 9 years ago so I do wonder if that is connected as well.

Anyway, I'll see what the consultant has to say.