Fibro and RA - drug connection? | Arthritis Information

I have been wondering if any one else developed fibro after having RA. I have been told that the two usually are associated together, but i truly wonder if fibro can be induced by RA drugs. I had RA for about 14 years before I developed signs of fibro and in that time I was on gold shots, MTX, naprosyn,and predinsone.
Has anyone else had a late on set of fibro after being diagnosed with RA first.
Please do not think that I am saying that all who have RA will get Fibro I an just curious as to a possible connection with Ra drug use..

Thanks..

Tracy

Welcome to the group Tracy. That's certainly an interesting question. I know several here have both. I'll be interested to see their response to your question.

Again; welcome aboard!!

Good question. The way it was recently explained to me ( by the Dr. asst. which is a Dr. who is leaving the practice) is that everyone has like a nerve center at the top of your spine...(or somewhere, bear with me on this). When you have fibro you feel all pain, even pain that should be screened out by a filter type, enzyme or something, dunno. Anyway, some people lose this screen that nature gave us to block feeling all pain. It cannot be replaced ( scientists are currently looking at drugs like Neurotin to block the pain with some success in a few patients).

It is stated that they do not know what causes the loss of the screen that blocks the pain...maybe health issues, a virus at some point, medication...it is not known. Several people are dx with fibro before meds are prescribed for RA. SO who knows.

Such a bummer of a disease at times. That is why it is good to have a good RD.

I think when i go to see my RD in Indiana, I will make a vacation out of it. That way the drive will be more pleasant!

Lydia

I was dx'ed in 1985 with JRA. I was sporadically treated with ibuprofen and naprosyn. But, looking back, the pain that is attributed to fibro pain, I had throughout childhood. I was not dx'ed til 2001 with fibro. According to docs my RA was in remission from the time I was 14 or 15 until after I had my son in 2002.
I can't really attribute my fibro dx to arthritis meds as I was not on them all that often. A few years of ibuprofen and a few of naprosyn and then I refused to take them anymor as I couldn't stand the side effects.
hugs, wayney

i DUNNO WHICH CAME FIRST....KINDA LIKE THE CHICKEN AND THE EGG MY RHEUMY DESCRIBES FIBRO AS A STEREO SYSTEM TURNED UP FULL BLAST; PAIN IS WORSE, FATIGUE IS WORSE, EVERYTHING HURTS IN FIBRO. QUITE FRANKLY I THINK THE FIBRO IS WORSE BECAUSE OF THE CHRONIC FATIGUE AND BRAIN FOG. I HAVE BOTH FIBRO AND RA. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE DISCOVERED PROVIGIL FOR THE FATIGUE AND IT HAS GIVEN ME MY LIFE BACK!! ANYONE INTERESTED IN HEARING MORE ABOUT THIS DRUG, EMAIL ME!!Hi there now i was dx with both the RA and Fibro at the same first visit i had with my Rheumy (he also dx my IBD and raynaurds that day too)...point is i was not on any meds at the time for the RA so i can't sday that the ra meds caused the fibro...i think since they are so closly related that is must deal with the same gene that the Ra does...not sure of course but neither are the doc's...so its a good hypothumus (Sp??) or is that hippopotumus (sp??) can't spell either word now can I?? LOL~~~ Keep laughing girls or the RA(and Firbo) has won~~ Kit~~ KitKat~1176438546.5260763889

I'M NOT SURE EITHER. I WAS ONLY RECENTLY
DIAGNOSED WITH RA, BUT WAS TOLD SEVERAL
YEARS BACK I HAD FIBRO (I DIDN'T REALLY DO
ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OTHER THAN SUFFER IN
SILENCE, AS PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS 'FAKE')

ANYWAY, THINKING BACK ON PROBLEMS I HAD
AS A CHILD MAKES ME WONDER IF I HAD RA
THEN....LEGS ALWAYS ACHED, KNEES SWOLLEN
AND PAINFUL, AND A CURVED LOWER SPINE
(WHICH HAS BEEN JUST KILLING ME LATELY. )

I CAN CERTAINLY SEE HOW THEY COULD BE
REALTED THOUGH; JUST DON'T QUITE
UNDERSTAND IF THERE IS A PARTICULAR
SEQUENCE OF EVENTS OR NOT.

TARA L

I asked my RD about this on my last visit. She just stated that it's VERY common to have Fibro accompany RA. Due to the pain, and swelling that come with RA and the Fibro then can attack our muscle and remaining tissue because of our autoimmune guard being down. There is really no evidence or proof that medication can induce Fibro.

I was diagnosed with fibro quite awhile before being dx with RA. So, in my case anyway, it wasn't drug related.

I have had RA for 11 plus years, but not fibro problems. I have only taken antibioitics , plaquenil, and anti-inflammtories for my RA so I haven't had many different medications.

I am sorry to hear that you have both...I can't imagine having to deal with muscles AND joints.

Leslie