Whats the difference?RA is a disease. Fibromyalgia is a syndrom. RA affects the joints and Fibro affects the muscles. They both stink. Alot of people who have ra develop fibro like I have I was shocked when my rhuemy told me about the fibro so now I have to figure out which pain is which some of it is obvious but some is not............TERESAThe folks I know who have fibro have SO much pain. RA is terrible with the joint pain, and I can't imagine adding to that feeling like my skin is on fire or muscle pain equal to the joint pain.I have both. I think I have more Fibro pain than RA pain. Today my arms and back hurt so bad. Just to touch my arms hurt. Had to get into the Vicodin. I dont know if my AM stiffnes is more Fibro oR RA.
Lesle,
does the vicodin help your stiffness as well as pain?
Nothing helps the stiffness but keeoing the joints moving. The Vicodin helps with the pain to a certain extent. Makes it bearable. If I had a day without pain I would probably be in heaven......In other words, dead. I think I am just use to a certain amt of pain. I have both arthritis and fibro. I think the fibro is worse!! I can deal with the pain of RA but fibro does me in. I take the pain killers for that mostly--not the RA. I wish they would come out with more meds for fibro instead of just antidepressants.