Fibromyalgia is a condition that is characterized by fatigue, memory issues, and musculoskeletal pain. It is also associated with depression, anxiety, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of fibromyalgia include a general dull ache, cognitive disability, lack of energy, trouble sleeping, headaches, memory issues, joint pain, and overall fatigue. Females are more likely to have the condition than males.
Typically, people with fibromyalgia also face other conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, and postural tachycardia syndrome. However, this doesn’t negate the unique symptoms of fibromyalgia itself.
Too frequently, patients are given a fibromyalgia diagnosis if a physician doesn’t have the expertise to uncover the nuances of their chronic symptoms.
Similar Conditions
There are an array of conditions, many rare, which can present similarly to fibromyalgia. If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia but not all of your symptoms match the condition, you may want to ask your doctor about the following diagnoses.
- Interstitial cystitis
- Bacterial infections
- Chronic viral infections
- Polymyalgia rheumatica
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Food intolerance
- Chemical intolerance
- Chronic stress
- Dysbiosis
- Neurological trauma
- Musculoskeletal trauma
- Internal permeability
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Hashimoto’s
- Neurological autoimmunity
- Rheumatoid arthritis
The primary issue for misdiagnosis is that we don’t really understand autoimmunity when it’s not in an acute stage (requiring treatment). Unfortunately, autoimmunity can cause damage years before it reaches this acute state. Patients can live for years facing terrible symptoms without an adequate diagnosis.
Remember that you are your own best advocate. Don’t settle if you haven’t been given answers. Search for the underlying reason for why you’re feeling the way you are. There are ways to improve your health and improve how you’re feeling.
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