Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tender points. Despite, many researches, doctors are still unsure what causes fibromyalgia.

However, this illness can be a challenging condition to diagnose because its symptoms can be similar to other health conditions.

That being said, correctly diagnosing fibromyalgia is crucial because the treatment varies depending on the specific ailment experienced by the patient. With that in mind, this article will discuss the conditions that mimic fibromyalgia symptoms.

1. Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi that is transmitted to humans via the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Early symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, headaches, fatigue, and chills.

Some of the late symptoms are severe joint pain and swelling and neurological symptoms that last for months. It’s important to treat Lyme disease early as it can spread throughout various parts of the body and lead to prolonged complications such as Bell’s palsy.

2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis)

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) is commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome or CFS. This condition is characterized by extreme fatigue, pain, and cognitive impairment.

Patients who suffer from CFS may experience trouble sleeping, headaches, and anxiety as well. While some say that fibromyalgia and CFS are the same, it is not entirely accurate.

Studies have shown that CFS and fibromyalgia share several symptoms, but CFS is more often associated with flu-like symptoms and a stronger focus on fatigue-related symptoms.

3. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects the nervous system. MS causes damage to the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers, which results in communication problems between the brain and other parts of the body.

This process leads to various symptoms, including fatigue, difficulty walking, muscle stiffness or spasms, and trouble with memory and coordination. In some cases, the symptoms of MS could be mistaken for fibromyalgia.

4. Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system attacks its joints, mainly leading to inflammation in the lining of joints. Common symptoms of RA include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints.

These symptoms are primarily worst in the morning and improve as the day progresses. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis could also experience fatigue and muscle weakness, making it easy to confuse RA with fibromyalgia.

5. Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues, leading to various symptoms. Lupus symptoms can span across multiple body parts, including the brain, skin, kidneys, and joints.

Lupus patients could experience joint pain, fatigue, and muscle pain similar to fibromyalgia. However, lupus also causes the development of a rash on the face, worse in sunlight, which helps to distinguish it from fibromyalgia.

6. Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica is a condition that causes muscle stiffness and pain primarily in the shoulders and hips.

This illness is common among older people and is often mistaken for fibromyalgia because of similar symptoms like widespread pain and fatigue. In some cases, polymyalgia rheumatica could lead to vision loss, making it easy to diagnose this ailment through the help of an ophthalmologist.

7. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland that impacts the body’s thyroid hormone production. This hormonal imbalance can cause depression, fatigue, weight gain, muscle weakness, and stiffness.

In some cases, the symptoms of hypothyroidism could be similar to the symptoms of fibromyalgia. However, a doctor may conduct a blood test to accurately diagnose this condition.

8. Depression

Depression is a mental ailment that can cause various symptoms like sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest in activities. People who suffer from depression could also experience chronic pain, headaches, fatigue, and sleep problems.

It is easy to mistake depression for fibromyalgia, especially when evaluating the symptoms keenly.

9. Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune ailment that primarily affects the glands responsible for producing tears and saliva. This illness could result in dry eyes, mouth, and difficulties swallowing.

In some cases, Sjögren’s syndrome could cause fatigue, muscle pain, and joint pain, making it easy to match the symptoms with those of fibromyalgia.

10. Anemia

Anemia is a condition where there is a low red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels in the bloodstream. This ailment could cause symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and headaches.

In some cases, anemia could lead to widespread muscle aches and pain, making it easy to confuse the symptoms with fibromyalgia.

Conclusion

The symptoms of fibromyalgia can mimic several health conditions, making it challenging to diagnose the condition accurately.

Misdiagnosing significantly impacts a patient’s treatment plan, resulting in adverse side effects that could worsen the overall wellness of an individual. However, patients experiencing symptoms similar to fibromyalgia should seek medical attention immediately to determine the ailment afflicting them and receive appropriate treatment.