I had osteo already when diagnosed and then a few years ago it turned in to Ra so I have Ra And Fibro and Sojourns . I have always wondered if Fibro is an autoimmune issue too . The doctors won't say it is .

Diagnosed with RA in 2009; diagnosed with fibro in 2011. Also have OA pretty much all over. Per my rheumatologist, it's quite common for people who already have a painful condition to develop fibromyalgia.

I didn't develop arthritis until years after my fibromyalgia symptoms. I was in my mid 30s when I had the virus that started it all.

Nickie49 the doctors won't say it's autoimmune because its not. That theory was considered, researched, and discarded 20+ years ago.

It's common to have an auto immune disorder AND Fibro, but as Joyssis indicated, its a case of a painful condition leading to a chronic pain state, not because its another autoimmune condition.

RA diagnosed started back in '92. Then OA followed and then Fibro followed later. Been at this for a long fricking time.

Diagnosed with osteoarthritis many years ago. Fibro was only like 2 years ago.

May have had OA, but diagnosed with fibro first. Arthritis diagnosis was a year or two later.

Thanks so much for the insight. My GP is sending to a Rheumatologist but not until Oct do I see her. My GP has advices me that she strongly suspects Fibromyalgia which I was surprised to hear. As most of my pain is in and around my joints. There are times I'm unable to use my pains from pain and weakness. I also have IBS and anxiety issues which I didn't realize we're somatic with F. Looks like I have lots to learn!

Hands* not pains!

I had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was a kid, and my knees have always hurt, but I had a full body bone scan when I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, and there was no inflammation at all except in my pinky finger of my right hand.

RA and OA both can have overlapping symptoms with fibro, but are fairly easily distinguished by competent docs. (Note I said competent, LOL.)

My rheumy said for years that my having FM would mean that OA would feel worse for me. He's right. OW. And vice versa. You'd think my arthritic knee was permanently sprained sometimes, but no, it's just... neuromuscular mayhem as usual. Blah!

I think what happens is the unrelenting attacks of pain and disorder in the body from many other ailments (RA, celiac, etc.) just help the neuromuscular stuff to go haywire along with it---and poof, we have FM. Sometimes it's primary (as with me) and sometimes it comes along with other stuff (like Joyssis) and sometimes it's just one drop in a whole big bucket....

I tend to think it's a ysmptom of anything from a small molecular-level glitch to a big body system breakdown they just haven't figured out how to diagnose yet. Keeps me sane when wanting to punch docs for saying things like, "You don't need narcotics". Yes, well, tell that to my pain!

For me the fibro came in the same hour as the lupus like illness I have a day or two after a bad sunburn. Since I don't have a lot of positive tests for lupus--just history and symptoms that suggest lupus--it feels as if they are still arguing whether it is "just fibro" or secondary fibro. Sometimes I wonder if it is fibro at all.

I was diagnosed with RA ,then fibro.Mind I really liked my rheumatologist ,he seemed to empathise and know his stuff!(more than can be said for most pain clinic drs here in the UK!!)..The pain of arthritis and fibro can be alike ,and totally different at times!!>>sorry I`m not much help.This is a great support group though.As a non sleeper I so appreciate having a safe place to retreat to:)xx