How many of us with MS have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia?
Because of the pain I described, my neurologist sent me to a doctor who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. She told me that 50 percent of people with MS also have fibromyalgia. That seems high since I’ve never seen any literature about it, but it makes sense since one of the suppositions about fibromyalgia is that it may be triggered by an anomaly in the brain that affects the way the brain recognizes pain.
Debilitating pain
I can see that this might be caused by brain lesions. Because fibro, like MS, also causes fatigue, I feel like I have a double dose, and the pain that I’ve experienced from fibromyalgia has been more debilitating than anything I’ve experienced with MS. I’m wondering if others in the community have received this diagnosis.
Hi
!
While you wait for feedback from the community, I thought you might be interested in this study performed at the University of British Columbia and published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal.
The study found that of participants, people diagnosed with fibro were 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with MS. I hope it can answer some of your questions.
Thanks so much for being here. Wishing you and your family a joyous holiday season. -Warmly, Donna (MultipleSclerosis.net team)Thanks, Donna! Interesting study. I see a rehabilitative medicine doctor who has a subspecialty in fibromyalgia and both she and my neurologist offered anecdotal evidence, but this is the first study I've seen.
