If you have Fibro, RA, etc? Other than blood tests.


I have the AA disorder symptoms...but nothing is showing up in the blood yet.


My sister was diganosed with Lupus...it took them YEARS to diagnose because her bloodwork never showed until recently.


I'm having one of those days where I can barely use my hands.

RA will show in the blood, but fibro is through clinical observation and also there is 21 points on your body that a doctor will apply a small pressure and the discomfort you feel is worse than what is considered normal. I think if you have 14 of the pressure point then they tell you it is fibro but they will do the bloodwork for thyroid and auto immune disease to make sure.

Fibro although show joint pain when scanned show no damage like with arthritis.

RA will affect some joints and not éthers in a symetrical manner, such as the large knuckles at the base of the fingers compared to smaller joints in the hand for osteoarthritis.

A good rhumatologist will be able after a few test to tell you what you have.

Most of my symptoms line up with Fibro...so I've been told...so I did some research and I tend to agree. But I do NOT want to self diagnose.


I see my doctor on Feb. 3rd again...I think that is when he's going to refer me to a rhumatologist. But he wanted to run some additional tests first.


It's just frustrating...not knowing whats wrong...being in pain ALL the time...to the point where I can barely pick up my 1 year olds...I hate it. It makes me just want to cry...all I want to do is play on the floor with them...and I can't.

Even the weight loss hasn't helped. I mean I haven't lost a TON of weight...but 20+ lbs should have helped some...

I just want to know WHAT it is...so they can treat me accordingly...so I can get on with my life.


I didn't have any problems like this until after I had my twins. I'm just so super frustrated...

It took over 20 years of misery for me before I was diagnosed with lupus. I also have RA; still very mild, but my it is there and my grandmother had it really bad.

I was also diagnosed with Celiac this past year...once I stopped eating grain; my lupus went dormant within the first month.

My thyroid started going bad 16 years ago, and it is basically dead.

Thyroid, lupus, Celiac...all autoimmune diseases

Good luck!!!!

Good luck!

Dont give up, you Will get your answers and by loosing weight no matter what you have it is beneficial. Fibro is treated often with anti depressants not because of dépression but because it is a good muscle relaxant. Good luck

I wont give up. I just want some answers.


I've had some issues with Post Partum Depression and am on an anti-depressant...which unfortunately isn't helping the pain.


UGH...I just have to be patient...I know that. But I'm having a hard time this week. I feel pretty much the worst I've felt in a long time...I'm just over it.


Thanks for your support!

The blood tests for RA and lupus are only positive some of the time.
I personally found hand and joint pain to be related to food intolerances, (dairy for me at one point) and diet changes helped. I self diagnosed that, and elimination diets are a cheap way to figure it out without spending money on docs or naturopaths. (maybe get a book from the library to figure out how to do it) You can be trying that at the same time as working with your doc to look at other causes. If it is auto-immune, you may still find that diet therapy is helpful, just as SUm38 found out.
hope you find a way to feel better soon, you want to enjoy these kids!