Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease which causes the immune system to affect the joints, whereas fibromyalgia (FMS) is a disorder along with musculoskeletal pain and symptoms of fatigue. Both are different chronic pain conditions which basically come together.
Fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis symptoms
- Sleep disorder and disturbances
- Some sort of depressed and anxious feeling
- Experiencing fatigue
- Body pains
Comparing Fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis & Rheumatoid arthritis
- Sleep disorder and fatigue
Both conditions can result in sleep disorder and fatigue. But in case of FMS, the sleeping disorder is extreme. The fatigue is quite similar symptoms in FMS & RA that causes inflammation and anemia. - Depression and anxiety
These two symptoms are quite common in both the cases of Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis. - Pain
Inflammation is different in both the conditions. In RA, joint inflammation is the main symptoms but for Fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis constant muscle and tissue pain is the main symptom.
Distinct symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis
- Joint pains, stiffness, and tenderness
- Redness of hands or feet and swelling joints
- Inflammation
- Deformity or deterioration
- Flares and remissions
Distinct symptoms of fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis
- Pain in the upper back, elbows, and knees
- Menstrual pain in women and long-term remissions
- Temperature sensitivity, sensitive to loud noise or bright lights
- Memory loss
Fibromyalgia Rheumatoid Arthritis treatment
Many medicines like COX-2 inhibitors, glucocorticoids and TNF blockers are available for treatment. In some extreme conditions, it may even lead to surgeries during severe joint damages. Similarly for FMS also they are lots of drugs that require the multi-pronged approach. This includes special supplements, prescribed drugs, some sort of exercises and alternative treatments.
US hospitals offering fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis treatment:
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
- Johns Hopkins Hospital
- Cleveland Clinic
- Mayo Clinic
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- University of California, San Francisco
- The University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Duke University Hospital, Durham, North Carolina
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago
As prevention is better than cure, you can get rid of both fibromyalgia rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in the starting stage itself. So if you can find some sort of changes in your body, then it is advised to take prescribed medication. By working closely with your consultant, helps you to know more about your conditions.