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Other Conditions That Have Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Fibromyalgia is a condition characterized by all-over body pain and fatigue. Specific tender points on the body are especially painful, and individuals with fibromyalgia may have pain in the their muscles, tendons and ligaments. In addition, fibromyalgia suffers often suffer from sleeping problems. There are other conditions that cause symptom combinations very similiar to fibromyalgia, which often complicates diagnosis.

  1. Rheumatoid Arthritis

    • Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of arthritis that results in inflammation of the joints. This condition causes damage to the joints. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, tender joints, joint stiffness, fatigue and fever. The pain and fatigue associated with rheumatoid arthritis are very similar to the pain and fatigue caused by fibromyalgia.

    Lupus

    • Lupus is a condition that can affect many different parts of the body including the joints, kidneys, lungs, heart, blood cells and skin. Lupus symptoms vary greatly among individuals with the condition. Also, symptoms of lupus may flare up and then go into remission for a time. Possible symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, fever, facial rash, mouth sores, skin lesions, chest pain, shortness of breath, memory loss and depression. Lupus is difficult to diagnose and may be incorrectly diagnosed as fibromyalgia in some people.

    Thyroid Conditions

    • Thyroid conditions may produce symptoms similar to those associated with fibromyalgia. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, include muscle weakness, fatigue, sleeping problems, heat sensitivity, anxiety, rapid heart rate and weight loss. Symptoms of hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, include muscle aches, muscle tenderness, weakness, cold sensitivity and fatigue.

    Polymyalgia Rheumatica

    • Polymyalgia rheumatica is very similar to fibromyalgia. It causes inflammation that leads to achy and stiff muscles in the hips, thighs, arms and neck. Other symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include fatigue, weakness, fever, anemia and weight loss. Blood tests are used to look for markers that might indicate polymyalgia rheumatica.

    Multiple Sclerosis

    • Multiple sclerosis occurs when the body's own immune system attacks the outer covering of various nerves throughout the body. This damage prevents proper communication between the nerves and the brain and over time may destroy the nerves completely. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis may include muscle weakness, limb numbness, vision impairment, tingling sensations, body pain, dizziness, tremor and fatigue. Multiple sclerosis is often difficult to diagnose because symptoms come and go sporadically. There is no specific test to diagnose multiple sclerosis; thus, it is quite possible that multiple sclerosis could be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia in some cases.

    Osteoarthritis

    • Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis causes joint cartilage to be destroyed over time, resulting in severe joint pain. This condition commonly affects the spine, knees, hips and hands. Other symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint tenderness, stiffness, swelling and the development of bone spurs. Tests are available to diagnose osteoarthritis; however, often proper testing is not done unless requested by a patient. Thus, osteoarthritis can sometimes be misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia.

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