kjs831, Praying for you. I have had Fibro for 31 years and I undersand your dilemma. It is hard to tell if it's Fibro pain or something else.

With that said, I do find that Thyroid Disease (I have both Thyroid Diseases) can cause joint pain and it tends to go along with Fibro. Also, osteoarthritis (I have that bilaterally and in my spine and neck) tend to accompany Fibro. It take years for this to happen for me.

Usually for me, Fibro leaves me sore all over, aching and sore to the touch on the skin. Osteoarthritis tends to be a deeper ache. Since weather change affects both, it's hard to tell. This hot humid summer has been hard for Fibro pain. The colder weather, I have more arthritis pain. Severe fatigue goes along with Fibro (for me) in a deeper way than the fatigue that I get with osteoarthritis.

I recommend going to an orthopedic doctor and get scans done to see if you have devleloped arthitis. Also, if you can get your primary doctor to run all of the Thyroid panel, TSH, T3, T4 & Thyroid Antibodies, you will see if you have Hashimoto's or Hyperthyroidism. Hashimoto's can go into Hypothyroidism.

Last but not least, a Rheumatologist to run all of your inflammatory markers. Not all primary doctors will do this. I did not fare well with a Rheumatologist as they no longer will take Medicare and they refer you back to your Primary Doctor. I found a wonderful doctor that treats Arthritis/Fibromyalgia and he has prescribed a
pain cream for me that is compounded and it takes the edge off of my pain. I use heat packs with it.

If you can soak in the tub in Epsom salts, it truly helps. Use Voltaren Gel (Over the counter) and it helps too. I cannot take NSAIDS (Motrin, Advil, Aleve) and I know Voltaren Gel has that in it. You do not absorb a lot of a topical cream internally and I have had no problems with it. After a while, it just wasn't strong enough anymore to "take the edge off", hence the prescribed compounded cream. It does not have opioids in it, but, it helps.

I had to do a lot of research to find out what was causing all of my pain...hence, all of the doctor visits. You have to be your own advocate with Fibromyalgia. Yes, you will run into some that don't even believe it exists....but it does.

I cannot tolerate any of the meds for Fibromyalgia. I only take an occasional Flexeril (5 mg) and Tylenol and of course the prescribed compounded pain cream on the hard days. I do find a massage helps. My massage therapists massages me with the compounded pain cream. It's wonderful!

We tend to tense up when we are in pain. If you can go outside for a few minutes each day and sit in the sun and relax, it helps. Also, if your Vitamin D is low, it can cause joint pain. Get your Vitamin D and B12 checked. Both of mine were low at one time and it added to my pain and fatigue.

Rest. Take a nap during the day if you need too. It does help with Fibro. Try and go to bed earlier at night to get more sleep. Celestial Seasoning teas are very relaxing at night as well. Learn to balance your day. If you have a good day with pain, don't over do or you will pay for it.

I know this is a lot to take in. It took me years to get a proper diagnosis of everything.

My faith in the Lord keeps me going. I am praying for you as I know how debilitating Fibro can be.

Blessings & Prayers....