Fibromyalgia - Conditions with Similar Symptoms

Conditions with Similar Symptoms

Between 10 - 30% of all doctors' office visits are due to symptoms that resemble those of fibromyalgia, including fatigue, malaise, and widespread muscle pain. Since no laboratory test can confirm a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, doctors will usually first test for similar conditions. It should be noted that a diagnosis of many of the disorders below may not always rule out fibromyalgia, since it can accompany other common and similar conditions.

Conditions That Do Not Rule Out Fibromyalgia

Chronic fatigue syndrome, myofascial pain syndrome, depression, primary headaches, and certain stress-related disorders commonly occur with fibromyalgia, and have overlapping symptoms. In fact, some experts believe these disorders so often interact that they may all be part of one general condition.

Other conditions may also occur that are similar to fibromyalgia but do not rule out a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. They include:

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ)
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) -- usually diagnosis is clear-cut, but the conditions may coexist. JRA should be considered in children with fibromyalgia if their condition worsens.
• Osteoarthritis -- a common form of arthritis than can coexist with fibromyalgia. The two conditions may be confused, particularly in elderly people. Osteoarthritis, however, causes joint pain, not widespread or generalized pain.