Fibromyalgia and lupus are two conditions that can cause pain, but it’s important to recognize the many significant differences between the two. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is an autoimmune systemic disorder, which affects the joints, skin, and practically any organ in the body. Fibromyalgia affects the muscles causing pain, tender points, and extreme fatigue, and can contribute to anxiety or depression.

Both lupus and fibromyalgia are difficult to diagnose, and many patients with fibromyalgia are often wrongly diagnosed with lupus and vice versa. Furthermore, the two diseases can actually overlap one another, and there is a higher risk of rheumatic disease in fibromyalgia patients.

Fibromyalgia affects roughly two percent of the population and women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than men. Estimates of lupus cases in the U.S. are 161,000 with definite lupus and 322,000 with definite or probable lupus.  Like fibromyalgia, lupus often affects women more than men, too.

Table: Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus comparing symptoms and pain

Below is a table that gives you an easy comparison between fibromyalgia and lupus symptoms to help outline the similarities and differences seen in either disease.

Fibromyalgia vs. lupus symptom chart

Lupus Symptoms	Fibromyalgia Symptoms
MUSCLE ACHES	MUSCLE PAIN
FATIGUE	FATIGUE
RASH	N/A
SENSITIVITY TO SUNLIGHT	SENSITIVITY TO TOUCH
INFLAMMATION	INFLAMMATION
SKIN IRRITATION	SKIN IRRITATION
INABILITY TO ENGAGE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES	INABILITY TO ENGAGE IN DAILY ACTIVITIES
MORNING STIFFNESS	STIFFNESS UPON WAKING
STIFFNESS THROUGHOUT THE DAY	STIFFNESS IF IN THE SAME POSITION TOO LONG
TROUBLE WITH CONCENTRATION & MEMORY	TROUBLE WITH CONCENTRATION & MEMORY
SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT	SENSITIVITY TO LIGHT, ODORS, NOISE, FOOD, COLD, AND MEDICATIONS
MIGRAINES	MIGRAINES
DEPRESSION	DEPRESSION
ANXIETY	ANXIETY
WEIGHT CHANGES	WEIGHT CHANGES
SWELLING EXTREMITIES	SWELLING EXTREMITIES

Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus: difference in symptoms and causes

The above chart outlined many symptoms that lupus and fibromyalgia share which could contribute to the misdiagnosis of both diseases. It is the key differences, though, that help solidify a proper diagnosis and distinguish the two diseases.

First and foremost, lupus and fibromyalgia have very different causes. Lupus is an autoimmune systemic disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells. Fibromyalgia does have some genetic predisposition, but generally it is triggered by unmanaged emotional stress, anxiety, and emotional trauma. The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown.

Lupus can affect any system in the body. The symptoms that can help conclude a definite diagnosis include arthritis, photosensitivity, malar rash, protein in urine, oral ulcers, and lower white blood cell count.

Fibromyalgia is a muscular disease, so symptoms include muscles pain and fatigue, disturbed sleep, and all-over body aches with specific tender points.

Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus: complications, mortality, hospitalization, and costs

Over the period between 1979 and 1998, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 23 annual deaths from fibromyalgia. Mortality among fibromyalgia patients is usually on par with the general population, but suicide rates and injuries are higher among fibromyalgia patients.

In 1997, fibromyalgia hospitalizations accounted for 7,440 patients and annually fibromyalgia costs each person $3,400 to $3,600.

During the same time period, lupus mortality accounted for 879 to 1,406 deaths annually, with rates rising. Estimations of lupus-related hospitalizations were 39,400 in 2010, and an average cost to the U.S. healthcare system was estimated to be $13.3 billion.

Fibromyalgia complications result from lack of sleep, which can interfere with daily function as being tired can impair memory, focus, and increase the risk of injury. Other complications may include depression and anxiety, and the disease is still very much misunderstood.

Complications of lupus include severe kidney damage, damage to the brain and central nervous system, problems with the blood and blood vessels, inflammation of the lungs and chest cavity, inflammation of the heart, increased risk of infection, cancer, bone tissue death, and pregnancy complications.

Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus: diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia includes an extensive review of the patient’s medical history along with the presentation of symptoms. A physical examination with the identification of tender points aids in fibromyalgia diagnosis.

To diagnose lupus, blood work is conducted to check white blood cell count. Another diagnostic tool is the anti-dsDNA test for positive antinuclear antibodies, which are elevated in autoimmune disorders and not present in fibromyalgia.

Common treatment for lupus is steroidal therapy with immunosuppressant drugs. Fibromyalgia does not respond to steroidal drugs or immunosuppressants, so treatment may require a combination of therapies. Painkillers, antidepressants, and muscle relaxants may help aid in fibromyalgia symptom management.

As you can see, although there are similarities between lupus and fibromyalgia, there are plenty of differences that really set either condition apart. With proper testing, your doctor can diagnose you correctly and have you started on the best mode of treatment.

Fibromyalgia pain types, treatments, and home remedies

Fibromyalgia pain is different from the regular aches and pains that all of us experience from time to time. If you have fibromyalgia, you ache all over. While this condition is life lasting, there are ways to treat the symptoms to bring some level of relief. Continue reading…

In lupus, white blood cells unable to regulate inflammation and regulating cells cause damage

In lupus, white blood cells lose their ability to regulate inflammation and regulating cells then cause damage. The mitochondria – a cell’s powerhouse – were studied to determine how they may lead to lupus-like inflammation. Certain white blood cells in lupus and other inflammatory disorders have been found to increase the amounts of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species.

In lupus, white blood cells lose their ability to regulate inflammation and regulating cells then cause damage. The mitochondria – a cell’s powerhouse – were studied to determine how they may lead to lupus-like inflammation. Certain white blood cells in lupus and other inflammatory disorders have been found to increase the amounts of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. The researchers noted, “Because mitochondria are a potent source of reactive oxygen species, and because mitochondrial DNA has been implicated recently in inflammatory responses … we wanted to examine their role in this autoimmune disorder.”

There is no cure for lupus currently and it commonly affects women more than men.

Neutrophils are white blood cells that are normally responsible for catching pathogens, but in autoimmune disorders they are suspected to play a different role. In autoimmune disorders, germs and other pathogens provoke neutrophils to create a mesh outside themselves to capture offenders.

This reaction can cause organ damage in lupus, as neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs, can cause cell death. This phenomenon has been seen in many other autoimmune disorders. In mouse models, medications to stop NETosis – cell death by NET – improve lupus along with preventing atherosclerosis and blood clotting.

Unfortunately, it is still unclear as to how these mesh nets are created and how germs provoke inflammation when there is no known infection.

Diet to combat inflammation

Food can play a large role in our overall health, especially with regards to inflammation. In fact, some foods have been found to promote inflammation whereas others can reduce its incidences. Studies that focus on food and inflammation often emphasize the power of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega fatty acids can be found in fish, dark leafy greens, flax, oils, and animal fats.

One large study looked at diet and lupus, where researchers found no correlation between dietary fat and disease activity over the course of four years. They did find, however, that higher intake of antioxidants was associated with a decrease in disease activity.

Although there is no current evidence to support omega-3 fatty acids in the decrease of lupus disease activity, increasing antioxidants may be a wise decision. It’s important to note that the role of antioxidants in lupus is still understudied and there is still little evidence to support the claim.

If you wish to make any change to your diet, always speak to your doctor to ensure it is safe and that you are still getting in proper nutrition from a variety of food sources.

Lupus patients face anemia risk from inflammation, iron deficiency, and renal insufficiency

Lupus patients face anemia risk from inflammation, iron deficiency, and renal insufficiency. Anemia is a common occurrence in lupus patients, affecting nearly 50 percent of them. There are many reasons why lupus patients are at a greater risk for anemia, including inflammation, renal insufficiency, blood loss, dietary insufficiency, medications, and infection, just to name a few. Continue reading…

Shingles risk increases in people with lupus, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis

Shingles risk increases in people with lupus, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis. Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus responsible for chickenpox. When a person contracts the chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body, but when it becomes active again, it can result in shingles, which commonly occurs in adults.

Shingles risk increases in people with lupus, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis

Shingles risk increases in people with lupus, COPD, and rheumatoid arthritis. Shingles is a painful skin rash caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus responsible for chickenpox. When a person contracts the chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the body, but when it becomes active again, it can result in shingles, which commonly occurs in adults.

A study published in Lupus found that lupus patients had a 70 percent higher risk of shingles, compared to individuals without inflammatory diseases. There have been other studies as well, which found higher risk of shingles in lupus patients. Researchers believe it has to do with cell-mediated immunity in lupus patients, along with immunosuppressant medications, which many of them take to manage lupus.

The investigators of the study compared cases of shingles in lupus patients to individuals with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. They collected data from semi-annual questionnaires, which were submitted to the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (NDB) between 2001 and 2009.

Based on their comparison and findings, the investigators concluded that lupus patients have a 70 percent higher risk of developing shingles, compared to individuals without inflammatory diseases. Patients who took prednisone or mycophenolate mofetil saw a greater risk of developing shingles, unlike with other lupus-related medications.

Although lupus patients are at highest risk for shingles, they have the lowest vaccination rates – which could further contribute to the risk. A vaccine for shingles is available, and regardless of whether one has lupus or not, we should all take advantage of the vaccine in order to reduce our risk.

The good news here is, shingles isn’t contagious as long as a person has experienced chickenpox prior in their life. If not, then the virus can be passed from person to person causing chickenpox. Depending on a person’s age, shingles can lead to complications, so it’s best advised to simply get vaccinated.

COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus patients at high risk for shingles

COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus patients are at a higher risk for shingles, compared to individuals without these conditions. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients have over a 30 percent higher risk of shingles, along with those with COPD.

In Australia and the U.S., the shingles vaccine is recommended for adults over the age of 60, but in the U.K. the vaccine is intended for those over the age of 70. Lead researcher Harriet J. Forbes wrote, “As the zoster vaccine is expensive, targeting vaccination towards groups at high risk of zoster is necessary. Age is the most important risk factor for zoster and postherpetic neuralgia, so it drives vaccination policies.”

The research team analyzed data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episodes Statistics. They identified 144,959 shingles cases and matched each patient with four controls.

Aside from RA, COPD, and lupus, other conditions – depression, inflammatory bowel diseases, and type 1 diabetes – were found to be the risk factors for shingles.

The researchers found that the risk of shingles in RA, COPD, and lupus patients declined with age. This had them question whether or not it would be beneficial to begin shingles vaccination at a younger age. They wrote, “This raises the question of whether vaccination of certain younger, high-risk groups may be beneficial; cost effectiveness studies, also considering the risk of postherpetic neuralgia, would be needed to answer this question.”

If you have an autoimmune or chronic disease, your risk of shingles is higher, compared to the general population. As mentioned, if you are in a high-risk group, getting vaccinated can lower your risk – and the risk of complications as well.