What are the charactaristics of fibromyalgia compared to the charactaristics of rheumatoid arthritis?

Question

I'd like to verify I haven't been misdiagnosed before pursuing treatment.

Answer 1

Symptoms of FM can range from the pain experienced in the 11 commonly recognized tender points to just an overall widespread pain in many other areas of the body. FM is diagnosed usually AFTER the patient has experienced pain in one of more of these areas for 3 months consistently. There are also Neurological factors to consider when it comes to numbness, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and tingling. While Doctors have a definite source of consistent complaints about the symptoms, defining the cause is still a mystery. However, more recent Lab studies tell us that there are marked decreases in seratonin levels and the way the brain is translating the pain impulses. There are studies that definitely link FM with other more deeper psychological disorders. One study in particular that I personally participated in yielded some interesting results. It seems as though 78% of the patients we were treating that had been diagnosed with FM had either sustained some form of intense traumatic injury to the body and/or were abused sexually, physically or psychologically leaving the patient with an anxiety state about anticipating hopelessness, sorrow or lonliness or a combination of all of the above.
Whereas Rheumatoid Arthritis is categorized more as an actual deficiency in minerals/vitamins resulting in slowly intensifying pain associated with bone/joint discomfort, or in other words long term bone LOSS. Degenerative meaning that the actual bone/joint matter has been slowly dissolving away until there is bone against bone or the joint is rubbing against sharp or uneven bone.
In a study that I personally was involved in, successful treatment ~believe it or not~ was achieved by administering Knox Gel taken orally in 4 oz. of Orange juice 2X a day over a period of 3 weeks. Knox Gel...from the bakers aisle in your local grocery store...why you ask? Simply because in arthritis and other degenerative bone diseases what the patient is experiencing is the pain associated with LOSING BONE & JOINT MATTER correct? So, what is in Knox Gel? You got it, dried calciferous bone & joint matter...chocked full of all the vitamins and minerals needed to regrow the lost bone & joint. As I mentioned, I was personally involved in a "Secret study group" at UC Davis Medical Center in which WWII Veterans were asked to participate in a study of a "new medication" for degenerative bone diseases which they were happy to be a part of...within 6 weeks the group that had a teaspoon or so of the Knox Gel in a 4 oz. glass of orange juice in the morning and at night, were buttoning their own trousers, opening pickle jars and playing chess again pain free after years of atrophying hands, fingers etc. The trusty AMA is busy working with the pharmaceutical companies to whittle down the dosage so they can work up a really expensive care plan to sell to HMOs, PPOs, MedicAid & Medicare and eventually the public.
Although I'm NOT at liberty to give medical advice, I can tell you that I am a former licensed health care practitioner who decided to leave that career behind because of the dirty and dishonest practices of the AMA which include being indicted for 9 counts of Conspiracy to commit Fraud against the Chiropractic industry as a whole...they paid their fine and it was kept to a minimum in the media so the public is almost completely in the dark about that little escapade...another incident that left egg on the AMAs face was the fact that a female Scientist from Europe discovered a cure for at least some types of cancer but her Lifes' work has been exiled to the shelfs of the health food and metaphysical book stores...That one is called "The Cure for Cancer." I forgot the name of the author...but good luck finding it...if she's not playing poker with Jimmy Hoffa I would be surprised ha-ha!
My own personal recommendation has always been to ALWAYS TAKE YOUR LIQUID -IONIC- MINERALS. Not just liquid minerals...but "I-O-N-I-C" as in electrically charged compound...the brand I use is "CONCENTRACE" and it is a wonderful thing.
A MINERAL DEFICIENCY CAN BE LINKED TO JUST ABOUT "EVERY" AILMENT KNOWN TO HUMAN BEINGS...OUR BODIES RUN ON WATER & ELECTRICITY AND WHEN YOUR ELECTRICAL CONTENT IS LOW, SO IS ALL YOUR BODY FUNCTIONS...Not the mention the fact that the mineral Zinc is the big daddy or the "Zeus" of them all...isn't that ironic that the mythological figure Zeus is the one who shoots lightning bolts...and Zinc is the most IMPORTANT mineral in our Immune System function? Life can be strange sometimes...In America WE JUST FILL THE VOID WITH COFFEE, CIGARETTES, ALCHOHOL, SUGAR CARBS, BREADS, CAKES, SWEETS...BECAUSE THAT MAKES US FEEL GOOD...BUT WHEN THAT SUGAR HIGH IS GONE, THE MINERAL DEFICIENCY PERSISTS...MOST THE TIME THROUGHOUT OUR ENTIRE LIFETIME...AND...
NOT TO PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE(I mean that sarcastically...) DON'T EVER FORGET THIS PART~STRESS---STRESS--STRESS
DEVOURS NUTRIENTS AT MORE THAN 10 TIMES THE RATE AS STRENUOUS EXERCISE...Now go rent "What the bleep do we Know" from Blockbuster and then get online and buy the movie "The Secret" and watch them both OVER & OVER until you finally "get it"...then you will be able to take control over ALL diseases in your body and mind and live free of the mysteries that bind our thoughts and our freedoms...then be prepared to have your world "ROCKED"...Your Life will NEVER be the same afterwards, I promise you that my friend...IT HAPPENED FOR ME.

Answer 2

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a specialist called a Rheumatologist, and he has me on all kinds of meds. because I also experience joint pain and swelling, I have had MRI's, and have a scar on my brain, experience bouts of numbness in my legs that's just like someone turned the switch off. I have severe muscle twitching and jerking which I take meds to help control. it's a real mess when you're diagnosed with this disease because there are so many other diseases that go along with fibromyalgia, and my doctor is just waiting to see which one I have. he's talked about systemic lupus, and multiple sclerosis with me, and I'm still waiting it out.
I'm sorry about rambling on and on, but I just tend to disagree a bit with the answer that said FM is soft tissue pain, and RA is joint pain. it's not that easy to diagnose, trust me.
get with a good Rheumatologist and discuss everything you're going through. and like mine told me, if you have a red swollen joint, take a picture of it. they really need to see everything that can help them give you the best diagnosis possible.
Best Wishes.

Answer 3

Fibromyalgia is soft tissue pain. Arthritis is joint pain.