Can you have both polymyalgia and fibromyalgia?

Posted by jeanneclancy123 @jeanneclancy123, Jun 18 4:57pm

I have read about both diseases and I appear to have symptoms of both. Is this possible and if so are there tests that can be done to determine this. What is the treatment if this is the case. I have been diagnosed with Polymyalgia and have just come off Prednisilone, that was no fun at all. But I want to see a light at the end of the tunnel, I want this to be over. I have pain every day and night, sometimes I can put up with it other times I get so depressed with it.
I am very sensitive to medications so that makes it difficult.
I currently take Nurofen with a Nexium because I have a stomach ulcer that plays up if I take Nurofen by itself.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.

lioness | @lioness | Jun 18 5:44pm

Yes I have both Poly,and fibromyalgia .Dr has me on Lyrica and a pain medicine Tramadol also I found a good full body massage helps hot baths with Epsom salts light exercise nothing hard .Other then that rest as much as you can hope this helps some

jeanneclancy123 | @jeanneclancy123 | Jun 19 4:11am

Thanks for your comments, unfortunately I can't take Lyrica or Tramadol, they make me go loopy. And unfortunately I don't have a bath, sound fantastic though. I am shuffling along, I used to be able to do rock and roll dancing not all the time but we loved it. Now I'm sitting on the side lines watching everyone else have a wonderful time. I'm trying to just stay off the couch as much as I can and have just started to do 5 minutes on the treadmill on (2) yes I know it's pitiful but that's as much as I can do at the moment.

Feeling sorry for myself today, sorry.

meg8 | @meg8 | Jun 19 8:35am

Yes I am sure you could have both. I have fibromyalgia, scleroderma, & sjogrens. I suppose the way they still test for fibromyalgia is to put a little pressure on certain spots on your body. They should be extremely tender.

rashida | @rashida | Jun 19 11:08am

In reply to @jeanneclancy123 "Thanks for your comments, unfortunately I can't take Lyrica or Tramadol, they make me go loopy...." + (show)

@jeanneclancy123 I hear you! I have the very same problems you have and the same reaction to pain medications. Also feel crippled after the mildest exercise. I have not been diagnosed with polymyalgia but I do have fibromyalgia and going through what you are experiencing! Would love some answers too.

kathleenkapes | @kathleenkapes | Jun 19 5:08pm

I have both - diagnosed. I can tell the difference by the places I hurt.

sueborfl | @sueborfl | Jun 20 10:16am

In reply to @jeanneclancy123 "Thanks for your comments, unfortunately I can't take Lyrica or Tramadol, they make me go loopy...." + (show)

There are two things recommended to me in the face of chronic Lyme disease- and I have fibromyalgia and possible polyarthalgia rheumatica - they are seeing a physiatrist ( not psychiatrist) and someone who legitimately practices reflexology. They are very hard to find but I’ve had better luck by calling the state association of each practice. Good luck 👍 Everyday pain is not living life to our fullest!

1kay2 | @1kay2 | Jun 20 3:53pm

In reply to @rashida "@jeanneclancy123 I hear you! I have the very same problems you have and the same reaction..." + (show)

I can't take those meds either so I'm stuck with an old treatment, low dose doxycycline. There is a blood test now for FM but doctors are still not using it because medical plans don't cover the test.
I think they prefer to hurt us, touch 1 of those spots on me and I collapse, but they want to find them all. My mother had polymyalgia but I don't know what it is. God bless you

delia74 | @delia74 | Jun 20 7:34pm

Unfortunately possible! I first was diagnosed with fibromyalgia oh so many years ago, and then polymyalgia rheumatica about 6 to 8 yrs ago. Definitely hits me with distinguishable differences. Last weekend, I spent the entire time lying down, unable to move because I just could not place weight on my thighs/legs/feet, and my shoulders were in severe pain down to my fingertips. Pulsing, stabbing pain in the upper arms. It was horrid when I had to use the bathroom because it took forever to edge off the sofa, try to use my arms/hands to push up and onto my feet. I felt weak all over. Equally painful walking to and from the bathroom, then collapsing back onto the sofa. Aleve and heat pad brought just a bit of relief. I could describe more, but this suffices to let you know how I can definitely distinguish the two pain syndromes. The poly also creates a sense (for me, anyway) of internal "heat" that is felt in the affected areas. Of the two, fibromyalgia is much easier for me to deal and cope with (although for sure it is not a picnic!).

kwagner524 | @kwagner524 | 2 days ago

In reply to @1kay2 "I can't take those meds either so I'm stuck with an old treatment, low dose doxycycline...." + (show)

What is the blood test that is given to diagnose fibromyalgia? I was just a participant in the fibromyalgia clinic at Mayo in December of 23. They did all types of tests and I had a complete blood workup, but it was not mentioned to me that there is now a specific blood test for FM.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | 2 days ago

In reply to @kwagner524 "What is the blood test that is given to diagnose fibromyalgia? I was just a participant..." + (show)

Hello @kwagner524, Welcome to Connect. Here is some information I found on the new test for fibromyalgia.

"The FM/a test is still new and subject to research. Many doctors don’t use it yet, and insurers may not cover the cost. Doctors may still use current diagnostic criteria as confirmation."
-- Blood Test for Fibromyalgia: What You Need to Know: https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia/blood-test

There is a Fibromyalgia Support Group on Connect that you might find helpful for connecting with other members. Here is a link to the list of discussions - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/fibromyalgia/.

Please sign in or register to post a reply.