Cathie - Great information

[Guest guest]

Cathie:

Thank you so much for sharing your information. Three years ago, I was

diagnosed with

Fibromyalgia and Myofasical Pain Syndrome and I've been treating with a

wonderful and

supportive rheumatologist in Central Jersey. She is the one who was not at all

surprised that I

developed RA. She suspected the symptoms I presented last winter (i.e.

throbbing pain in my

hands, wrists and forearms) was the beginning. However, at the time, my

bloodwork was fine

and I had no swelling. She had me take an EMG which showed mild carpal tunnel

and ulnar

tunnel. With the help of a neurologist, they surmised that I had neuritis which

my FMS had

aggravated.

I have now learned that RA and FMS can go hand-in-hand.... sadly. I also know

now that RA

can trigger carpal tunnel symptoms. And while I read that RA can affect my

shoulders, I need

expert help in distinguishing this neck/back pain from FMS. The worst part is

that I can

never figure out what I did to aggravate this area. I can wake up with it and

it happens

maybe once in a few months, sometimes more.

Thanks!

Paige