What other conditions can be confused with fibromyalgia?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Fibromyalgia can wear as many disguises as a highly sophisticated bank robber. It can be confused with several other medical conditions, including low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) and polymyalgia rheumatica, but there are lab tests to distinguish between these different diseases that your doctor can order. Similarly, symptoms can be similar to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, but unlike fibromyalgia these are inflammatory diseases so your doctor can tell the difference by examining your joints and doing other tests.
Fibromyalgia can wear as many disguises as a highly sophisticated bank robber. It can be confused with several other medical conditions, including low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism) and polymyalgia rheumatica, but there are lab tests to... More -
Dr. Michael Roizen answered:Fibromyalgia's symptoms of deep muscle pain, ongoing fatigue, sleep problems, and depression sometimes mimic other pain-related conditions. It is common for people to go from doctor to doctor seeking answers for their muscle pain and fatigue. Because there are no medical tests to diagnose fibromyalgia, doctors use lab tests and scans to rule out more serious problems. For example, fibromyalgia can mimic chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) with its constant fatigue and inability to concentrate. Also, fibromyalgia may mimic arthritis or depression because of the similar symptoms.Fibromyalgia's symptoms of deep muscle pain, ongoing fatigue, sleep problems, and depression sometimes mimic other pain-related conditions. It is common for people to go from doctor to doctor seeking answers for their muscle pain and fatigue.... More -
Pfizer LYRICA™ (pregabalin) Team answered:Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and may mimic other conditions. Doctors will often rule out other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, and mononucleosis before reaching a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
If you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia and experiencing chronic widespread pain and tenderness, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. Prescription treatment, such as LYRICA, is one option you and your doctor may consider to help relieve fibromyalgia pain. In clinical studies, LYRICA was proven to provide significant relief from fibromyalgia pain compared with a placebo, so patients felt better and could do more.*
*Individual results may vary.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic widespread pain and may mimic other conditions. Doctors will often rule out other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, and mononucleosis before reaching a... More -
Dr. William D. Knopf of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:There are other conditions that can mimic fibromyalgia. Conditions include: hypothyroidism or underacting thyroid, autoimmune disorders - especially polymyalgia rheumatica, osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulThere are other conditions that can mimic fibromyalgia. Conditions include: hypothyroidism or underacting thyroid, autoimmune disorders - especially polymyalgia rheumatica, osteoarthritis, and chronic back pain. More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:As many conditions trigger fibromyalgia, the two can often be confused. A classic example is hypothyroidism. Many other autoimmune diseases such as lupus can also have similar symptoms. These conditions often coexist as well.
To distinguish them, ask one simple question - Can you get a good night's sleep?. If the answer is no and you have severe insomnia, there is likely a component of fibromyalgia as well. On the other hand if you can sleep well without help, you likely do not have fibromyalgia.
As many conditions trigger fibromyalgia, the two can often be confused. A classic example is hypothyroidism. Many other autoimmune diseases such as lupus can also have similar symptoms. These conditions often coexist as well. To distinguish them,... More
