When You Have Fibromyalgia & Lupus

Overlapping Condition of the Week: Lupus

Fibromyalgia and lupus are very similar-seeming illnesses that frequently go together. They share many of the same symptoms (pain, fatigue, brain fog), they're both marked by flare-ups and remissions, and they're both hard to diagnose. They're each frequently diagnosed as the other, and lupus appears to make you predisposed to fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia, however, doesn't seem to increase your odds of getting lupus.

Even though the symptoms are so similar, what's going on in your body is different. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation, while fibromyalgia is a neurological condition that's not associated with inflammation. Lupus can attack your organs, while fibromyalgia can't. These problems require different treatments, so misdiagnosis can be dangerous to your health.

While fibromyalgia doesn't make you more likely to contract lupus, you have the same risk as anyone else. It's a good idea to be familiar with the symptoms, especially those that are distinct from fibromyalgia, such as the butterfly rash and possibly bald patches on the scalp.

Learn about those symptoms, how lupus is diagnosed and treated, and more:

• Fibromyalgia & Lupus

Other Overlapping Conditions:

• TMJ (tempormandibular joint disorder)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Interstitial Cystitis (Bladder Pain)
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Costochondritis

Photo © A.D.A.M.