Lupus and Fibromyalgia
There are many similarities between lupus and fibromyalgia, and it is not uncommon for the two conditions to be confused with each other at times. Both conditions share common symptoms, but differ greatly in terms of diagnosis, treatment, and potential long-term impact on patient health. Left untreated, both lupus and fibromyalgia can have a long-term detrimental impact on quality of life and overall health of patients, so accurate diagnosis is vital.
Lupus is a widespread and potentially debilitating chronic autoimmune disease that can cause potentially fatal damage to the heart, lungs, brain, and kidneys. Fibromyalgia is also chronic and often debilitating, but it is not autoimmune in nature. Instead, Fibromyalgia is related to the fibrous tissues in the body rather than the autoimmune system. Fibromyalgia does not affect the internal organs or cause inflammation.
Symptoms
Lupus and fibromyalgia are both characterized by sudden flares of painful, varying symptoms that seem to come and go at random. Both lupus and fibromyalgia patients often report symptoms that include extreme fatigue; joint pain; muscle pain; cognitive difficulties; and circulatory disorders. At present, there is no known cause or cure for either condition. Both lupus and fibromyalgia seem to be linked to both genetic predispositions and triggering environmental factors. Lupus and fibromyalgia typically affect women during their childbearing years more frequently than any other population.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of both lupus and fibromyalgia can be difficult. There is no single blood or tissue test that can confirm the presence or absence of either condition. Depending on the present symptoms, physicians will frequently order blood tests at the beginning of the diagnostic process, to rule other conditions that may exhibit similar symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid disease and multiple sclerosis.
In diagnosing fibromyalgia and lupus physicians typically utilize classification guidelines established by the American College of Rheumatology. Patients with specific tender points and who have experienced widespread aching pain for three or more months may be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.
Treatment
Fibromyalgia and lupus patients frequently experience similarly manifested bouts of widespread fatigue and pain, but the conditions are not treated in the same manner. For example, immunosuppressant drugs, such as Prednisone can be very beneficial for lupus patients, whereas fibromyalgia patients may benefit from narcotic medications. Not only will immunosuppressant therapy not help fibromyalgia patients, it may actually worsen their conditions. However, both lupus and fibromyalgia patients do tend to report to benefit in terms of symptom relief from acupuncture treatments.
