Is There a Connection Between Fibromyalgia and MS?

Good article but I wonder, was it fibromyalgia at all or early signs of MS? I have pushed back against my rheumatologist and neurologist, I feel like it's too easy to diagnose me with fibromyalgia versus to keep searching. I had a "ms like episode" at 20, then developed fibromyalgia around 24. I've had two more "neurologic flares" in my early 40's. Inconclusive MRIs. I guess time will tell but I do hope they look into the link further and if this isn't early warning signs. Like a canary in the mines.

I sincerely believe there is a connection between Fibromylagia, parkinsonism/PD, allergies and autoimmune diseases (including MS). There are common gene mutations that cause a dramatic drop in dopamine (e.g. gs224). I had terrible Fibromylagia pain & neurological symptoms (so many MS-like symptoms), until I was easily treated with a simple generic drug to restore dopamine levels (levodopa-carbidopa). Severe allergies, parkinsonism, Dopa-responsive dystonia, and autoimmune diseases all run throughout my family (including MS). Do different combination searches on these terms. I believe the common link in some cases and families may be genetic dopamine-deficiencies (e.g. gs224).

I have been diagnosed with both fibromyalgia and MS. Not only did they do the trigger point test, I’ve also had a blood test that confirmed fibromyalgia. About 2 years later, it was suggested to me that I needed to be tested for Ms after an EMG, where the doctor said he had never seen such little nerve condunction in anyone under 70! I went to a neurologist who ordered all the tests, then she went on maternity leave. While she was out, I checked my results online, and both the MRIS and spinal tap confirmed MS. When she finally came back, she met with me and told me I do NOT have MS, despite the test results. I waited about a year, and when my symptoms started adversely affecting my mobility and ability to work, even from home I sought a second opinion. I found out I do have MS and also fibromyalgia. They seem to work together to kick my butt extra hard. I have been essentially bedridden since the beginning of the year. Doctors don’t wanna help, it seems. Before my MS diagnosis I had a small pain prescription. Since the Ms diagnosis, I am getting nothing but antidepressants for pain? I do talk therapy and physical therapy and yoga when I can. It may make a small difference but really not enough.

I really believe the 2 are related.

I seem to have done it the other way round. I've been diagnosed with RRMS for 10 years, but last year my wonderful physio was the one who finally listened to me regarding my widespread joint and muscle pain. All rheumatology tests come back inconclusive, so they put it down to the MS - neurologist says it's not. Repeat a few times over a few years! Just in an idle chat at the end of a session, my physio asks more questions about this. She suspects fibromyalgia developed after the MS. Did I want another referral to rheumatology, to go through it all again...? No thanks. We agreed the best approach to treatment is what I'm currently doing for my MS anyway, and I'm already taking more meds than I want. I don't need another label - it's just so nice to have someone listen properly and take these aches and pains seriously!

Very interesting article. My dad had MS for 30 yrs before passing away a few years ago. In 2000 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and had always wondered if there was some sort of link between the two. Also, 3 years ago my mother was diagnosed with ALS and has since passed away. I had asked her neurologist if he thought it was odd we all had 3 different diseases and he kind of just shrugged it off.

I started getting tested for MS when I was in my early 20's but they could never get a positive so they tried other things and everything came back negative so they just said must be fibromyalgia even though I never really had the tender points just pain and horrible spasmic muscles and headaches and nerve issues. I kept going back and forth with different doctors and neurologist. With no positive for anything until last May 2018 when I got a positive for MS even though they said some of my lesions were a-typical. I do wonder if these early symptoms were a warning or an early sign. It is hard to find a good doctor who understands my story and my history and path because I have been in pain so long and have learned to live with it with medicine because I also am bipolar and take a lot of meds for that so I can not add a lot of new medication. It took a long time to find my meds for my mental health and now I am struggling to find meds for my MS and it is just beginning. Maybe in the future there be a better way or another way to diagnose or ways to define the path to MS.... I don't know if I am saying this right, but thank you for letting me speak my mind.

I've often assumed that fibromyalgia is also an autoimmune disease. Do we know if it affects more women than men (like other autoimmune conditions)? I'm afraid the medical profession is still too quick to dismiss early presentation of vague symptoms like pain & fatigue as signs of mental problems like depression and/or anxiety.

Lots of interesting information here. I just wanted to add my experience with fibromyalgia. I was increasingly having balance issues. I saw five neurologist who ran numerous tests oh, and there was some question that I possibly had MS. It was ruled out, however. On my own, I researched balance issues and fibromyalgia and learned that it frequently appears and is often due to a B12 deficiency. By the third week of receiving B12 injections my balance issue was gone. I remember reading how B12 injections are also very helpful to many people with MS.

I've had fibromyalgia for more than 29yrs MRIs and scan all normal never had a spinal tap but if you surcharge all fibromyalgia symptoms I have 90 precent of them I use cymbalta tramadol and just started a new injection for migraine I have balance problem but I take a medication for essential tremors were my hands tremor and my head bobs up and done also my chest plus my voice changes the difference between these and Parkinson is tremors for Parkinson get better with activity esitial tremors get worse with activity

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for many years . In 2013 I had so much pain and fatigue and the doctor I was seeing said go talk to someone it is just fibromyalgia. Well hadany test neurologically they said I had white matter brain and all of other tests were fine . A few months later diagnosed with stage 2b breast cancer .... I have had migraines that come with full blown light shows aura and pain I’m my temples sometimes stabbing and crawling feeling in my wrist under my skin . Most recent MRIS showed 3 lesions which they are saying are just from migraines . I often wonder I have twitching and tingling in my cheek and eye. I am currently receiving Botox for migraines. Always wonder about the lesions.....

Was diagnosed w/fibromyalgia in 1996. Fibromyalgia is very much an autoimmune disease! Was forced to retire in 2012 due to fibro & have been receiving disability since 2015. Fibro is recognized as a permanent disability.

There's a huge connection! Mitochondrial dysfunction! It's why some people with MS have such success with the Wahl's protocol. It supports the mitochondria. Same with fibromyalgia mitochondrial support makes a huge difference. We're just scratching the surface of understanding mitochondrial dysfunction and how many disease processes it causes

So glad to have read this! I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2000. At that time, doctors despised this diagnosis. I've had less than 5 decent doctors during and since...
My balance has been horrible, I had a rash which turned into an autoimmune nightmare.
I'm certain I had fibromyalgia YEARS before diagnosis, since I REALLY LOVED to work.
I now live in a very rural area, with little or no specialists anywhere near our area...
Thanks again. It's nice knowing, at least, that what you believed, may indeed be true.

When I first started to show symptoms of ms they had no idea what was wrong. I had “unusual” symptoms. I don’t think f b was known yet. They started telling me it was all in my head but I should see the dr every month. I was also told at that time the only way to know for sure if you had. Ms was an autopsy! Finally a doctor did an awful spinal tap and tested the liquid and my diagnosis was “possible ms”. This started way back in 1977. My ms has progressed very slowly and for that. I am very grateful but the nerve pain is unbelievable. The progress that is being made today is fantastic and hopefully we are close to the cure. Thanks for listening to an old lady surviving ms.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 24. When I hit about 50 I was falling with dizziness, vertigo, postural hypotension, bladder incontinence. I had a complete workup with a neurologist who specializes in MS. It's not MS. I have Pernicious Anemia. I am being treated with loading doses of B12 and I am healing. I was also deficient in vitamin D. Since bringing my levels up my pain is considerably less.

I was diagnosed with RA back in 2015 after a major flare up,some swelling in all joints PAIN every where. I had a seizure disorder since 2010 as well and did have a seizure at the time of the flare up. I was started on methotrexate and had a reaction then put on other meds..had the 2015 attack and got my diagnosis but had pain like someone was pulling my nerves out of my body in all areas trigger point diagnosed with Fibro. I do have family with diagnosis of MS ,I think there must be some connection....

I, too, have lived a life full of pain, dizziness, neuro problems like electrical zaps in various places and muscle spasms, spinal pain from top to bottom, chronic leg and ankle swelling, a-fib, hearing loss, and the list goes on. I started with some of these symptoms in my early thirties and my doctor said I had an exotic phenomenon. I have flares that make me look like I’m having a stroke where the left side of my face, shoulder, ribs and sometimes down to my heel, feel like novacain wearing off and my eye and corner of my mouth droop. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I was relieved that my condition was validated. But that diagnosis has become a waste basket diagnosis. I am now 69 and have gone through so many tests, MRIs, some with contrasts, ( which show bulging discs but nothing is ever done for that). I have an appointment with a neurologist this week as my latest symptom has been excruciating right ear pain flares with no “apparent “ reason. I’ve had two doctors tell me it’s Post Herpetic Neuralgia from shingles. I had a neurologist put me through all the painful tests, including a spinal tap as well as a sleep study. When I returned for my follow up all he said was that my urine tested positive for marijuana. I don’t use it and am never around it or any other illicit drugs. I believe my urine was switched with another patient’s at the sleep study. He offered no other information at all . That was 20 years ago and the records have been destroyed. At the MS Center in Atlanta I had a compassionate doctor who said she didn’t think I had MS but I did test positive for an autoimmune disorder. Interestingly my ANA shows positive at times and negative at times. I feel my symptoms line up with MS. I don’t necessarily want that diagnosis but sure would like the right help as I’ve tried so many meds and had so much physical therapy.

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, sjogrens- my neuropathy has gradually worsened.
during the time I was in the diagnostic phase of the disease. I had an MRI of my brain and the physician had noticed that I had a plaque on one side of my brain. The physician commented that he thought I had MS but changed his mind as with MS, plaques are on both sides of the brain.
any comments?

I am glad to have come across this article. I started having problems about 4 months ago. I was a power lifter and worked out with some pretty serious weight. I slowed down a bit after my right wrist started to bother me. Then it started becoming numb in my sleep to the point that it would wake me up. I told my GP and she said we would keep an eye on it. I then got sinusitis and was sick for about a week and a half. Out the middle of nowhere my left hand started feeling like my right. Followed by problems with my neck and back. GP said fibromyalgia. I got to the point where my arms were so weak, I could not dry my hair. This wasnt long after I set a personal record of dead lifting 230 pounds. Went from that strong to not being able to hold a blow dryer. The neuro I saw did a cervical spine MRI as he was certain it was a disc and results were negative. He referred me to another neuro after saying MS could be possible but he was certain it wasnt fibromyalgia.
About a week ago the internal shaking started. I feel like I am constantly on vibrate. For a few days, I feel fine for the most part and then other days, I feel like I got hit by a truck especially in the morning. All 15 blood work panels came back normal so no lupus or B12 deficiency. I am 2 weeks from a brain MRI and EEG. I just feel scared and not sure how to relate to anyone as "undiagnosed".

Some have mentioned a zapping feeling . I have had cycles with the feeling of being shocked . It runs through my head neck and chest with a buzzing sensation. I was suspecting ms as my symptoms were getting worse but ended up with stage 2 breast cancer. After surgery and chemo the nuerapathy was horrid for years. Had a CTscan but no lesions. Medicaid denies MRI's. Got disability for fibro but I think it's more then just that. If anyone can reccomend drs in southern Oregon I am new to the area.

I was diagnosed 25 yrs ago with FMS. I found this very interesting reading. I also have DDD (degenerative disk disease),DJD ( degenerative joint disease), plus normal B/P stuff etc...
My dad has Parkinson’s and I worry about getting that.
My FMS is controlled very well with Savella but I do get flares, those are bad. Will be interesting to see if they get a link that shows this is all precursor for MS or who knows what.

Interesting. When I first “got sick” doctors couldn’t figure out what it was. I had a lot of nerve pain and all the other stuff that goes along with fibromyalgia. My doctor did do a spinal tap. I had one and a half bands of the protein that is present when you have MS, in my spinal fluid. If it had been two bands the diagnosis would have been MS, but because it was only one and a half, it was not. I was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia. However, later also diagnosed with SLE. There is more going on between all these diseases. Whether it is environmental issues or whatever, there is a correlation.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 20 years ago. About 10 years later, osteoarthritis. Two years ago, Sjogren's was added. Nothing has helped so far. I keep wondering what disease is next for me.

Hi Crystal, I saw your post that you had the Gadolinium dye for MRI and that gave you Fibromyalgia. Can you tell me how you know that and do you also have MS? I have had over 7 MRIs with the contrast Gadolinium, I have been Diagnosed with Psuedo Tumor Cebri (swelling of spinal fluid in brain and eyes), also at same time diagnosed with MS (lesion the brain and positive in my spinal fluid) I have been going to so many doctors for so long and it sounds like I might have this contrast toxicity also. I am constantly sick and they say I have a virus or something that won't go away. Do you our any on else know what I should do? I'm a dog chasing its tail.

I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue syndrome /Fibromyalgia in 1994.I spent two weeks in bed because my then boss threatened to take me to my Doctor. I credit her and a coworker for recognizing I was in a health crisis. I have NAFLD, stage 4 cirrhosis, NASH and type 2 diabetes. I had 2 strokes in 2016 from chronic migraines (9month migraine.) I was a medical Coder and biller for a surgical group and I was unknowingly failing at my job during that year because I lived in a fog. I was diagnosed with strokes at San Antonio Military Medical Center as well as the liver Disease. It was one health problem after another and my new marriage did not survive or should I say my then wife could not deal with my health issues and her colon cancer diagnosis. Now I am remarried and searching for answers to my illnesses by way of a clinical trial for a cirrhosis medicine, dietary change, great partnership with my wife and a Primary Physician willing to listen and not blow me off. My concern is will I develop MS or Parkenson's like my 2 first cousins?
I have a number of symptoms of both deseases.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 1998. I started having worse issues in 2008 and progressively getting worse that I had to quit working in 2013. I had negative MRIs. The last one having a little change but still unremarkable. I had a spinal tab 2 years ago that showed 4 bands that was that of MS. I could not get a definite diagnosis. I followed up with the MayoClinic a year ago. They said they were not convinced I had MS but I definitely have Chronic Fatigue and Chronic Fibromyalgia. So basically I am in limbo again. I have to basically wait for something else to happen before they will diagnosis MS. Has anyone ever had an issue like this? I'm so confused at how they can basically take a positive test and throw it out because they are not convinced.

Has anyone ever been diagnosed with fibromyalgia then 4 yrs ago diagnosed with Polymyalgia rheumatica
Now my daughter is having symptoms. If there is a connection between fibromyalgia and MS is there a connection between Polymyalgia rheumatica and MS

I've done the mri no dye ,no lesions seen but was told no ms , but yet fibromyalgia. But yet I have pain yes , but my left thigh goes numb and a get the zaps in my hand. I personally think its something other than fibromyalgia.

Hello fellow sufferers I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 20 years ago by a specialist in Manhattan on 5th Ave.... As far as I know your born with fibromyalgia.... I'm old now but I feel bad for the kids born with MS or FM it is a nightmare and chronic.... Diet vitamins healthy gut all help alot and you can feel good but I have no idea what it is to feel normal.... Fibromyalgia does not damage the nerves in the body... It causes pain without any physical signs of damage according to a neurologist and any test they have done with MRI and cat scans... MS does damage the nerves and destroys the coating of the nerves causing permanent nerve damage.... FM according to recent studies is an over active brain which causes the body to be overly sensitive and reacts badly to pain my example would be when I stub my toe it feels like it got hit with a hammer.. So if you have the worst menstraul cramps and the doctor looks inside your body there would be no damage to the tissues muscles or nerves... Pain dies not always mean damage was done to the organs.... So basically the difference is MS causes damage to the body and FM does not cause damage...... Either way it's painful and there's no cure...

These comments are so similar to what I have it isnt even funny. When I get more pain or unable to walk 'just your fibro, exercise more!' I started having issues in 2017 at the age of 18. Two MRIs at the first months starting to have trouble with no results. Gone to three neurologists, been referred to a psychiatrist three times ,going for number four since I started having essential tremors and stuttering fall of 2019 following a flare. All three times told I'm fine mentally, so we will see what number four says! Asked my CNPs nurse what after this if I come back normal, she didn't have a response.

Look up: Radiologically Isolated Syndrome

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2008. My pain is extreme and feels deep like to the bone deep during a bad flare. Nothing has been able to ease this pain. I've tried medical marijuana but the most relief I get from it is a settled stomach so I can tolerate soup other wise I couldn't eat at all and sometimes a sedative effect so I can get a couple of hours sleep. My muscles tear as those of an athlete but with much less strain. Brain fog, memory problems and not being able to say words I've known since I learned to talk correctly is a big problem. I sound drunk or like I've completely forgotten how to talk most of the time. No energy, constant fatigue is always an issue. I don't know if it could be more than fibromyalgia. I've had blood test to check for auto immune diseases but nothing more. I have difficulty explaining things to my doctor because if I mention a new symptom his reply is it's probably just your fibro.

Many years ago in my 40’s, I was sent to a neurologist and a MRI was done and I was diagnosed with migraines. The doctor said I had bright, white lesions on my brain but said that he thought they were caused by my migraines. I had told him about the walking and balance issues I was having but no other testing was ordered. I definitely had very painful migraines but also a lot of other odd “things” to happen. There are times I will have very painful, squeezing cramping around my torso. Vertigo when everything turns around and upside down and I have trouble keeping my balance if I turn my head. The sensation of cold water trickling down my legs. And not least of all, dropping things because my fingers just don’t cooperate sometimes. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in my early 60’s and I don’t doubt I have that for sure. My true doubt has been that I’ve also had MS all along and I’ve just had to cope in silence and pain. As of last year, I had an orthopedic surgeon tell me that many doctors don’t believe fibromyalgia is real, even today and he is one. Had I had a more thorough medical work up those many years ago, would that whole attitude be entirely different? Yes, in too many cases, unfortunately. I will say that if I do also have MS, I feel that it has been the relapsing - remitting type. It does seem, though, that the older I’m getting, the incidences are happening so often that something’s changed and not for the better. Thank you for getting information out there for us and our future generations.

What a great article! I’ve wondered for some time if fibromyalgia could be a milder form of MS. I have many classic symptoms of MS, but no brain lesions. I’ve also wondered if my mother smoking in utero could have had an effect. Thank you for giving me some insight into this.

I have fibromyalgia but had an MRI scan of my back as a senior physiotherapist thought that my symptoms pointed to a neurological problem, and they found lesions on my spine but neurologist said my problems were due to medication overuse.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia I think 2 years ago and I always felt that it was a bit of a cop-out by the doctors because they either couldn't understand or maybe there were things that I forgot to add which could be possible. Since then, I feel as if I'm getting worse. Admittedly my voice doesn't get strangled as much as it used to thanks to medication but in instances like this morning when trying to do an exercise to relieve pain, I could turn to my left but I couldn't turn to my right unless I put a lot of pressure into moving but it was hard. I realise I can't say anything until properly diagnosed but this piece at least makes me aware that I'm not imagining things and that there's always a possibility that there's something else.

I do feel relieved that I got some form of diagnosis but with the way the Irish health system is, it took a long time to get that diagnosis and even when diagnosed with fibromyalgia, the letter they wrote put it down as Chronic Pain Syndrome which felt like a cop out on top of a cop out. I still qualified for disability but it just feels deflating.

Thanks again and I'll try and monitor and remember these things that happen to me.

I was originally diagnosed with fibromyalgia by the same tender point test. I also had a weakly positive ANA, which doctors in 2002 considered a false positive because none of the texts for lupus, RA, etc were positive. Later, in 2017 I became extremely ill with similar symptoms as on 2002 plus more. This time I was diagnosed with Mixed Collagen Vascular Disease. In many ways, I think people with autoimmune diseases who were diagnosed with fibromyalgia actually had the precursor to an autoimmune disease like ME, lupus, RA, and more. The tender points also line up with bundles of lymph nodes and nerves. I had swollen, tender lymph nodes at the original fibromyalgia diagnosed that were present again with the MCVD diagnosis. This kind of issue should be considered when texting for fibromyalgia. If the ANA is positive, then there may be an autoimmune disease lurking in the background.

Hello Everyone, I feel like I have been on a roller coaster ride. I was given a half-hearted diagnosis of Fibromyalgia in December 2020 after many tests (MRIs, bloodwork, a lumbar puncture) to rule out multiple diagnoses. MRIs found lesions on the brain but I am told they are not indicative of MS based on the location. I still feel like I have been experiencing MS-type symptoms. Seems like to road to diagnosis can be a long journey. Not sure which avenue to explore next. I have seen my primary doctor, a rheumatologist and 2 different neurologists. I have an appointment for a pain management doctor next week. Is it worth seeing a neurologist that specializes in MS.

I am male. My mother had MS since 2003. She since has passed from Pancreatic Cancer. I was diagnosed last year with Fibromyalgia. I experience Joint pain around the elbows and knees. My legs easily fall asleep and go numb. I have IBS, mild gastritis, and muscle twitches. Sometimes I get stabbing pains in my hands and feet. I get vibrations in my legs. Also have restless legs at night. It is miserable.

A diagnosis of Fibromyalgia will not keep you from getting your disability if you are ever diagnosed with MS. I was actually diagnosed with both 6 months apart with MS being found first with a lumbar puncture. After 14 years of treatment for both my MS and Fibromyalgia among the vast issues I have. My doctors have found a moderate place where for now I can tolerate the pain, and have the medication I need to function. Some days are better than others. Receiving treatment for my Fibro helped take care of the pain that we couldn’t seem to get to the root of via the neurologist. Finding a unique pain clinic helped! Unfortunately I moved and have not been able to find the combo of OMTs, Massage and trigger shots to keep me moving. Massage has been key up until COVID-19.

My father, a GP had to retire aged 60 because
of MS, my mother always suffered from what she called rheumatism, my younger sister has
psoriatic arthritis and I was told by my GP
that I had osteoporosis. Having done a lot of
reading I diagnose that my all-over joint pain and poor balance is fibromyalgia. Sitting at this laptop doesn't help!

I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia about 4 years ago, have been suffering for a long time before that, no doctor knew what the problem was and said I had gland problems and arthritis etc. Ended up in hospital with the wrong medication many years ago. I went for an MRI recently and my neurologist said I have lesions consistent with an MS patient and my nerve conduction test also showed some delays but he said I have Fibromyalgia and might develop MS in a couple of years. Rheumatologist said I have Fibromyalgia and that I need to go see a psychologist to talk about it. It has never helped to talk about it - I tried LOL - How do I know what I have??? I have been feeling progressively worse over the last few years. I try to do exercise and eat healthy and stay active, but it is very difficult with balance, pain, swollen limbs, brain fog, insomnia, fatigue, numbness in feet, hands, face, electrical zaps, night sweats, digestive issues (insert symptom here). I recently had terrible hand pain/infection and could not move my hand and needed to go to the emergency room (no visible injury in area which they couldn't understand). Do I go and see my Dr. again to do the tests over after waiting a few years after the first lot? My GP says that it is all just symptomatic of the condition and treats every new symptom on its own but mindful that I have Fibromyalgia. I give up....

Hi everyone! I haven't read all of your posts but many of them. I found your article Debi searching for a link between tremor, fibromyalgia and herpes zoster. I feel this is what I'm dealing with...Herpes zoster that has not gone back into dormancy. I feel everything began with severe itchy skin breakouts 25 years ago. Severe pain began 13 years ago which worsened slowly with periodic shingles breakouts over the past 18 years and sciatica off and on over the past 12 years. "Heavy legs" with very decreased overall strength as well. Brain fog (I feel herpes zoster is active in my brain as well as spinal cord and peripheral nerves)
Healing journey began 2 years ago with functional medicine and I'm slowly getting my strength and function back. Stool, urine and blood tests led to getting gut into balance from candida and bacterial overgrowths. Heavy metal reduction with a supplement is ongoing. The last thing I'm working on is the tremor and it seems to be responding well to program that is further strengthening the immune system with soil based probiotic and supplements GABA L-lysine and elderberry extract. There were many other supplements along the way getting the gut into better balance.
Have you ever considered MS to associated with a reactivated virus in the herpes family or another virus? My birth family seems to be dealing with Herpes 3 and 6 and my husband's birth family seems to be dealing with Herpes 3 and 4 as well as Strep B. I'm wondering if all of these neurological diagnoses are viral related and if we can improve the gut health and immune system we can reduce or eliminate the symptoms in the body which will improve the quality of our lives. At least that seems to be what is happening for me.
I'm fortunate that our insurance covers Functional Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. We need to make this type of medicine available to all at an affordable price to those who want to explore another type of medicine for fibromyalgia, MS, SLE, psoriatric arthritis, RA etc...

Hi I had fibromyalgia now for 20 years I think it is the same as ms I all so think u can get them at the same time iv had all the pain relief an I’m now on matrifen patches which have Morfean in then than thay r good iv tried everything else But cos iv got pain the doctor says I can’t have ms and he want test me

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia after my rheumatologist ruled everything else out that he could test for. He does suspect ankylosing spondylitis. He used the FM/A test which checks for specific cytokine levels. I also have celiac disease, symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease, which my gastroenterologist said could be MS, ADHD (brain fog), migraines, occasional optic neuritis flareups, dermatitis herpetiformis, degenerative disc disease, and vertebral fusion. I also have some early warning signs of Parkinson’s, and mostly triggered by side effects from medication I should never have been given in the first place. Unfortunately, my insurance has yet to approve the very expensive tests to check for multiple sclerosis. All my doctors are 99% convinced that I have it. In facts, my eye doctor, primary care doctor, rheumatologist, neurologist and dermatologist all agree that fibromyalgia is either the early stages of MS that may or may not progress further, or is highly linked to the strong possibility of somebody developing MS, Parkinson’s, or even Alzheimer’s. Which terrifies me the most. One of the most frustrating things is that the medications that help me most are low-dose Valium at bedtime, and dextroamphetamine during the day. I don’t abuse them, but I get attitude from many pharmacy techs. I decided to go off opioid pain medication, as they were simply causing hyperalgesia . However, having buprenorphine to take occasionally was very helpful. But for some reason, they want you on it every day. If you test negative at an appointment, you actually get in trouble. Even though my doctor knew that I was not selling it and was only taking it as needed, he had to follow the rules or he could lose his license to prescribe it. Technically it’s FDA approved for opioid dependence, but commonly used off label for pain management, and one of the only pain medication that is effective for people with fibromyalgia. There are a couple forms that are FDA approved for chronic pain, but they only come in brand-name formulas and are extremely expensive and not covered by my insurance. It took until I was in my mid-30s for doctors to even take me seriously and not refer me to psychiatrists. It was the psychiatric medication that caused the Parkinson’s symptoms. It is so frustrating that the medical system has created this, “pass the buck“ mentality. Instead of running tests and being thorough and finding physical causes, doctors are quick to tell people that things are all in their head. Until they realize that they are not. I was actually vindicated when they found physical causes for my problems, and guess what? I was no longer nearly as depressed. Nobody now tells me that I have “mental illness.“ That is such a horrible term that does no one any good. It’s literally telling people they have a sick mind . Sorry to vent, I’m just so frustrated with the medical system. I know that I need to get tested to find out if I have MS conclusively, but it seems like I’m always having to jump through so many hoops. I just changed insurances so I need to get a new primary care doctor basically just to refer me to my current neurologist. Luckily, I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and they don’t ever deny MRIs according to the agent I spoke with. My gluten sensitivity is increasingly worse. Even the tiniest cross-contamination gives me major flareups that causes mostly neurological symptoms as well as severe peripheral Edema and dermatitis herpetiformis. My mother passed away at the age of 69. She had a very mild mutation of myotonic dystrophy type one, which caused doctors to stop looking for anything else. Right before she died, they started saying that her symptoms were far too severe for such a mild mutation and that she could have MS, or Parkinson’s. But she died before they could test her. They also suspected celiac disease given that she had multiple miscarriages. I had chickenpox, severe strep, and Epstein bar as a kid and it seems to be a recipe for multiple sclerosis

I started down a rabbit hole this morning when I stumbled across an ad for a quiz to see if you had pba. I did not take the quiz, I started doing research. It was the "uncontrollable crying/laughing" portion of the ad that grabbed my attention. When fibromyalgia wasn't listed as one of the neurological conditions underlying pba, Ms was and having lost my husband to complications of cp/rr ms, I've long suspected, as it appears most of us do, that the two are at the very least opposite ends of the spectrum of the same disease. I began seeking my diagnosis in 1999 and did not go through the years of ruling out everything else as I had a friend with fibro and Ms who told me my symptoms sounded like fibro and I should go to my doctor. So we went through the tests rather quickly. I believe I had my first attack when I was just in Jr high. I remember being out of school for a month with the flu. I remember I couldn't wake up, except for when the pain was so bad I couldn't sleep. My aunt had what we believe was a fibro attack in the late 80s early 90s. My mom has fibro and Ms. My symptoms have been getting worse the last couple years. I always attributed the emotional craziness to the depression, anxiety, and being a left handed Capricorn. I am an emotional person whose brain does not shut off and does not use its powers for good. It goes off on something, swings by and grabs my emotions and insecurities, and off they go on an unauthorized vacation without my consent. I do take pride in the fact that I have learned to tell when it might be on a valid thought path and when it's just running amok (most of the time). But the constant crying over nothing....I can't handle it. And my support people have a hard time with it too. What do you all think? Is this worth a path going down with the medical community?

Thanks, amy

My Maternal Grandpa and my mother both have MS. I'm not sure about my Grandfather (from what I understand MRI wasn't invented yet) but My mother tested positive in spinal tap not MRI. I'm scheduled for (ANOTHER) MRI. My question is If my mother tested positive through spinal tap Not MRI should I skip this MRI and Just ask for the (horrific) spinal tap to confirm. I'm getting worst everyday!! I need answers and help!!

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia back in the 90's by a rheumatologist did the 18 points test. Then in 2013 I was diagnosed with MS, actually would have been in 2004 but the neurologist that ordered an MRI left the country on the morning of my appointment to get results. I was an RN and on the morning my husband had outpatient surgery, I had foot drop when they called me back before he went in the OR. So my internist said could be a pinched cervical nerve and ordered the MRI. I knew when during the mri, the tech came back and said doc was more with contrast. By this time, I had numerous lesions in brain and all of my spinal cord. then because I had been treated for lyme disease, infectious disease wanted spinal tap. I actually had 2 spinals because they didn't have enough for him. So i definitely have MS. My neuro told me that he thinks fibro is actually preMS.

Hi. I was tested MRi about 8 years ago for MS but it was inconclusive, so I was said to have ME. 8 years on and up and down over the 8 years I've now deteriorated with more pain, electric shock sensations a lot in my chest, and also burning feet, mainly in the evenings. So now they are going down the route of fibromyalgia, it's driving me mad now. I've always been hard working and saved a little, but over the last 4 months of not working my my is going down fast. What can I do about my health and a diagnosis, it feels like I'm left in limbo!! I have been referred to rheumatology but have been told there is a 53 week wait!!! Do you think the burning hands and feet could be more neurological? Apologies for a bit of a waffle, but feeling so lost and alone. Friends don't get the pain I'm in family don't understand my fatigue. Any information greatly appreciated. Rick 52.