Conditions Associated With Fibromyalgia Syndrome

There are a number of disorders that have very similar symptoms to fibromyalgia syndrome, and can often be mistaken for each other. These include systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Lyme disease, polymyalgia rheumatica and inclusion body myositis. There are other disorders that cause tiredness, with muscle weakness, stiffness and pain.

Sometimes the diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome can take a long time, because the symptoms are so similar, but it is important to have a thorough diagnosis, though it seems frustrating, because these different disorders have different causes and will need different treatment approaches, and what may be helpful in one disorder could be harmful in another.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Lupus erythematosus (often known just as lupus) describes a family of related autoimmune disorders (illness where the body’s immune system attacks itself). Systemic lupus erythematosus is more common in women than men, and generally occurs between the ages of 15 and 50. It most commonly affects the joints, skin, heart, lungs and blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and nervous system.

Symptoms in systemic lupus erythematosus include:

• joint pains
• myalgia (muscle pain)
• tiredness
• dermatological symptoms, including rashes
• headache
• cognitive dysfunction
• anxiety and depression.

Multiple Sclerosis

In multiple sclerosis, the fatty sheaths’ around nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain become damaged, and this affects how the brain and spinal cord communicate with each other.

Symptoms in multiple sclerosis include:

• changes in sensation
• muscle weakness
• muscle spasms
• muscle stiffness
• problems with co-ordination and balance
• problems with speech and swallowing
• problems with sight
• tiredness
• pain
• bladder and bowel problems
• cognitive problems
• depression.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints, causing swelling and pain, particularly in the hands, feet and cervical (upper) spine. The joints initially become warm, swollen and stiff, especially in the morning. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect the heart, kidneys and lungs. It may be triggered by an infection.

Other symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis include:

• fatigue
• fever
• morning stiffness
• depression
• appetite loss
• weight loss.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by an infection with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is spread through tick bites.

Symptoms of Lyme disease include (amongst others):

• rash
• tiredness and lack of energy
• fever
• headache
• muscle and joint pain
• arthritis
• numbness
• weakness
• memory loss
• problems sleeping.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica affects muscles, causing pain. It is mostly seen in people over 50, and is more common in women. The cause is unknown but it may be an autoimmune disease. It often resolves on its own without treatment.

Symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica include:

• pain and stiffness, especially in the neck, shoulders, and hips
• anemia
• facial pain
• tiredness
• muscle pain
• joint pain
• muscle tenderness and weakness
• depression
• weight loss.

Inclusion Body Myositis

Inclusion body myositis is an inflammatory muscle disease with gradual weakening of the muscles. It generally begins after 50, and is more common in men than women. This is a rare disease, and it may be triggered by a viral infection.

Symptoms of inclusion body myositis include:

• progressive muscle weakness and atrophy
• muscle pain
• muscle tenderness
• falls
• problems with swallowing
• peripheral neuropathy (numbness)