Flare up

Hi . I know we do have contributors and other community members with both RA and fibromyalgia (for example see Mary Sophia here: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/stories/sero-negative-fibromyalgia), but I didn't locate anything specifically discussing differentiating the flare. You mention that you don't feel you have extra joint pain. Mind if I ask what additional symptoms you have contributing to the flare? I can tell you that my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), who was diagnosed with RA at age two, 45 years ago, but does not have fibromyalgia generally finds the predominant symptom of a flare is joint pain. Followed by stiffness and fatigue. Do any of your standard flare treatments cross over between the two? I know prednisone can treat both, but don't know if it is something you use. Hopefully others will chime in with their thoughts and experiences. Best, Richard (Team Member)

I’m so sorry you’re going through a flare. I know it’s been a few days since you commented, but I just wanted to check in and see how things have been going. Have you found any relief or remedies that have helped with the pain? Pinpointing the differences between RA and Fibromyalgia can be tricky since many symptoms overlap. RA typically involves joint inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. You might not feel joint pain, but there could still be swelling. Fibromyalgia, on the other hand, causes widespread muscle pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and tenderness in specific spots, but without joint inflammation. I hope this helps clarify the difference a bit. If you're still unsure, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor for a more accurate diagnosis. Hang in there! Kindly,
Latoya (Team Member)