| Both autoimmune diseases, Fibromyalgia and MS are | | | | Both autoimmune diseases, Fibromyalgia and MS are |
| consistently crossing paths with each other. | | | | consistently crossing paths with each other. |
| Autoimmune diseases often come in twos and threes | | | | Autoimmune diseases often come in twos and threes |
| so those that are diagnosed with one will often have | | | | so those that are diagnosed with one will often have |
| another. Many times these two diseases are | | | | another. Many times these two diseases are |
| confused with each other, or sometimes fibromyalgia | | | | confused with each other, or sometimes fibromyalgia |
| will precede a multiple sclerosis diagnosis by a few | | | | will precede a multiple sclerosis diagnosis by a few |
| years. They share many similar symptoms however | | | | years. They share many similar symptoms however |
| there are clear difference between these two | | | | there are clear difference between these two |
| diseases. | | | | diseases. |
| Fibromyalgia and MS share much of the same | | | | Fibromyalgia and MS share much of the same |
| symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle | | | | symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, muscle |
| stiffness, and loss of muscle function. Both conditions | | | | stiffness, and loss of muscle function. Both conditions |
| can be debilitating in their own way, and both share | | | | can be debilitating in their own way, and both share |
| the tendency for sleep difficulties and fatigue. This | | | | the tendency for sleep difficulties and fatigue. This |
| can make it difficult sometimes to make a diagnosis, | | | | can make it difficult sometimes to make a diagnosis, |
| and for doctors that do not always do their | | | | and for doctors that do not always do their |
| homework often a misdiagnosis can occur for either | | | | homework often a misdiagnosis can occur for either |
| one. | | | | one. |
| Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia to date does not include | | | | Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia to date does not include |
| any visual tests such as MRIs or blood tests, but is | | | | any visual tests such as MRIs or blood tests, but is |
| based on patient history, symptoms and the tender | | | | based on patient history, symptoms and the tender |
| points test. This test identifies 18 tender points that | | | | points test. This test identifies 18 tender points that |
| are highly sensitive and painful when pressure is | | | | are highly sensitive and painful when pressure is |
| applied. | | | | applied. |
| This is one of the places where fibromyalgia and MS | | | | This is one of the places where fibromyalgia and MS |
| differ; MS is a degenerative disease that is usually | | | | differ; MS is a degenerative disease that is usually |
| visibly detectable in MRIs and other tests. Multiple | | | | visibly detectable in MRIs and other tests. Multiple |
| sclerosis causes damage to the myelin sheath around | | | | sclerosis causes damage to the myelin sheath around |
| the spinal cord and this eventually causes nerve | | | | the spinal cord and this eventually causes nerve |
| damage. This disease is usually progressive leaving | | | | damage. This disease is usually progressive leaving |
| some people unable to walk and the damage is | | | | some people unable to walk and the damage is |
| permanent. | | | | permanent. |
| For those with fibromyalgia there is no collateral | | | | For those with fibromyalgia there is no collateral |
| damage of this type, and while the symptoms are | | | | damage of this type, and while the symptoms are |
| very real and painful, it is not degenerative in | | | | very real and painful, it is not degenerative in |
| anyway. The real damage of fibromyalgia comes | | | | anyway. The real damage of fibromyalgia comes |
| from the debilitating pain that can lead to a lack of | | | | from the debilitating pain that can lead to a lack of |
| activity, which along with depression can often lead | | | | activity, which along with depression can often lead |
| to a slow progression of other disease processes | | | | to a slow progression of other disease processes |
| that have recently been linked to fibromyalgia. | | | | that have recently been linked to fibromyalgia. |
| Fibromyalgia and MS often run in the same families, | | | | Fibromyalgia and MS often run in the same families, |
| which is another reason they can be misdiagnosed. If | | | | which is another reason they can be misdiagnosed. If |
| you think you may have one disease or another be | | | | you think you may have one disease or another be |
| sure to see your doctor and work with him to get | | | | sure to see your doctor and work with him to get |
| an accurate diagnosis, since the medical treatments | | | | an accurate diagnosis, since the medical treatments |
| for each disease are different it is important you get | | | | for each disease are different it is important you get |
| an accurate diagnosis. Thankfully both diseases | | | | an accurate diagnosis. Thankfully both diseases |
| respond well to treatment and changes in diet and | | | | respond well to treatment and changes in diet and |
| exercise. | | | | exercise. |