What is the difference between fibromyalgia and ms symptoms

Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Multiple sclerosis MS and fibromyalgia share many symptoms. For instance, depression is a common symptom in both conditions and may be a result of the disease process itself, a consequence of having such a debilitating disease, or a little bit of both.

Other commonly shared symptoms include:. This overlap in symptoms may confuse a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis, especially with someone already living with one of these conditions. Fibromyalgia is much more common than multiple sclerosis , as it's estimated that six to ten percent of people in the U. In contrast, MS affects less than 10 percent of that number or a roughly estimated , people in the US.

That said, one link shared between fibromyalgia and relapsing-remitting MS the most common type of MS is that both diseases are more common in women, although men and children can develop them too. While there are no blood tests to definitively diagnose fibromyalgia or multiple sclerosis, there are specific criteria used by a doctor to confirm that a person does indeed have the condition.

Some people even have difficulty talking. Even though these conditions present differently, a chiropractor has the ability to treat both of them. Even though a lot of people believe they need to visit a surgeon or undergo a dangerous procedure to treat these conditions, this is not always the case. There are holistic, natural ways to treat chronic pain. A chiropractor will work with someone individually to develop a treatment plan that has been customized to meet their needs. Then, a chiropractor will make sure to use treatment methods that target the underlying cause of all of these issues.

That way, it is possible to not only treat the symptoms but also prevent them from coming back. In this manner, a chiropractor can reduce the chances of complications and side effects while treating multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia. Ultimately, it is important for you to reach out to a chiropractor if you are suffering from chronic discomfort. MS and fibromyalgia are long-term conditions.

Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be persistent, but the condition is not life threatening. The symptoms of MS can progress and become debilitating. The National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke , however, state that a person with MS has the same life expectancy as a person without the disease.

As there is no cure for either condition, treatments involve managing and reducing symptoms to improve the quality of life. Having a thorough treatment plan can help relieve symptoms, prevent flare-ups, and slow the progression of the condition. An emerging class of drugs called disease-modifying therapies can help reduce the number of flares and may also slow progression.

Other treatments, such as corticosteroids, can help manage flares and the symptoms that can arise. Some over-the-counter medications can provide temporary relief from symptoms such as pain. Options include:. Alternative therapies that may also help include :. However, there is not enough evidence to confirm that all of these are useful for people with MS.

As there are not many direct medical treatments for the condition, complementary therapies may be a good option.

Some include:. Fibromyalgia and MS can be challenging to diagnose because their symptoms resemble those of many other conditions, including:. MS and fibromyalgia are different conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

There is no cure for either, but there are many ways to manage the symptoms. Speak with a doctor about any possible symptoms of either health issue. The doctor will help develop a comprehensive treatment strategy.

Read this article in Spanish. About half of MS patients report brain fog-like symptoms as well. When considering your symptoms, it is important to keep in mind that people with multiple sclerosis may experience a wide variety of other issues not common to people with fibromyalgia, such as mobility problems and speech troubles. If you suspect you might have either fibromyalgia or MS, says Dr.

Both fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis can be difficult to diagnose. Read more about diseases that can mimic fibromyalgia.

When diagnosing fibromyalgia vs MS, providers must eliminate the possibility of those other illnesses, which include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthritis, thyroid disorders, and others. At the same time, they can look for three diagnostic criteria:. Read more here about how fibromyalgia is diagnosed. Diagnosing MS is different from diagnosing fibromyalgia, since clinicians can rely on certain tests in addition to symptoms, medical history, and a physical exam.

Magnetic resonance imaging MRI , for example, takes pictures of your brain and helps detect damaged nerves. Other tests may include spinal taps, optical coherence tomography — which scans your eyes for symptoms of MS — and evoked response tests, which look at how your nerves respond to certain stimulation.

While neither illness has a cure, medication can be used to relieve fibromyalgia or MS symptoms. In the case of MS, drugs can also greatly modify the course of the disease. For fibro patients: Some drugs commonly used to treat depression, called antidepressants, may ease pain and fatigue; these include duloxetine Cymbalta and milnacipran Savella.

Anti-seizure medications, frequently prescribed to people with epilepsy, can also help manage pain in fibromyalgia. Among these, the FDA has specifically approved pregabalin Lyrica for the treatment of fibro. These include oral medications as well as medications that are injected or infused. Each medication works differently, but they generally affect immune system activity to prevent it from attacking the nervous system. People with MS may need additional medication to treat flares, such as corticosteroids, as well as medications to target specific MS symptoms, such as drugs for bladder issues, sexual dysfunction, and muscle stiffness and spasms.

Keeping a consistent daily routine is often suggested for both fibro and MS, as is leaning on family, friends, and professionals for emotional support. While MS and fibro may have some symptoms in common, they are ultimately distinct conditions with very different causes and treatments. Visiting a health care provider can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms quickly and begin the correct therapies.

The faster you start, the faster you can start feeling better. Tags: Fibromyalgia. CreakyJoints is a digital community for millions of arthritis patients and caregivers worldwide who seek education, support, advocacy, and patient-centered research.

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