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Fibromyalgia, barretts esophagus, and osteoarthritis

By October 28, 2011 - 6:52pm
 
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I have been told I have Fibro also, been given Cymbalta for it and OA! Personally I cant tell the diff between OA and fibro to tell the truth...the OA is so painful I cant tell the dif and I have mentioned fibro to my orthopedic doc and he rolled his eyes! I quit the cymbalta( you can only feel so good about pain) and the withdrawels were hell! So whats a person to do...i guess what im asking is, how do ya tell the difference between osteo and the fibro?

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1st you are completely correct about withdrawing from antidepressants...is hard and horrible ordeal! Brain freezes is what many of us call it...yet most docs go what? what withdrawal?!! big joke!
I can easily tell you the difference how it feels in your body. Arthritis be it RA or OA you feel it in specific joint. Feels like bone on bone..very intense specific pain compared to fibro pain. Fibro pain is muscles so more generalized all over a certain area. It hurts just as bad but not like knife in your joint but just pain all over your body that is kind of short circuits yous because so much of it.
I hope this helps....If you just think about it, think you can easily tell the difference. Your OA may not be bothering you...about everyone gets some OA as they age but it does not hurt all. So the doc can say you have it but does not mean it is going to hurt.
Hope this helps

March 11, 2012 - 6:12am

Hi Nylonanny--

I'm sorry you're dealing with all this pain but great question!
Osteoarthritis pain is limited to the specific joint or joints that are affected. When you feel muscle, ligament, or tendon pain this is being caused by Fibromyalgia. If you read further down you will see a clearer picture of the differences between OA and Fibromyalgia.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms include:

Mild to severe pain in a joint, especially after overuse or long periods of inactivity, such as sitting for a long time
Creaking or grating sound in the joint
Swelling, stiffness, limited movement of the joint, especially in the morning
Weakness in muscles around the sore joint
Deformity of the joint

https://www.empowher.com/condition/osteoarthritis

Symptoms of Fibromyalgia are more general--
Common symptoms include:

Generalized fatigue or tiredness
Reduced physical endurance
Generalized aches and pains of muscles, tendons, and ligaments
Muscle tightening or spasms
Pain in specific areas of the body, especially:
Neck
Shoulders
Chest
Back (upper and lower)
Hips and thighs
Insomnia or poor sleep
Sensations of numbness or swelling (although swelling is not actually present)
Chronic headaches, including migraines
Morning stiffness, worst on first arising
Factors that may trigger or worsen symptoms include:

Weather changes, especially cold, damp weather
Stress or anxiety
Overexertion
Medical illness
Surgery

https://www.empowher.com/condition/fibromyalgia

Here's group you may be interested in joining:

https://www.empowher.com/groups/fibromyalgia

Best Wishes,

Rosa

October 29, 2011 - 9:22am
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