Diabetes FAQ » Diabetes Tips » Tips for Diabetics who think they may have Fibromyalgia

Tips for Diabetics who think they may have Fibromyalgia

Diabetics with elevated blood sugar levels often feel tired and worn out. They have sore muscles, and sometimes have trouble walking due to soreness in the legs, knees and hips. Diabetics with blood glucose levels out of control may also feel pain in their neck, shoulders, arms, hands and fingers. Some of this pain may be from diabetic neuropathy. The only way to really find out if you have fibromyalgia is to see your health care professional.

Many of the symptoms associated with diabetes also mimic the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Yes, it is possible that you could have fibromyalgia and have diabetes, but you won’t know until you are diagnosed by your physician. The best thing you can do to help alleviate some of the joint and muscle pain that you experience is to stay as mobile as possible. Try not to sit or lie in the same position for long periods of time, because you will feel the pain and stiffness of your muscles from inactivity. If you are having pain and fatigue that you think might be fibromyalgia, please read the tips below.

1. Diagnosis. If you think you have fibromyalgia, your doctor will likely press on certain areas, known to be pressure points. If your doctor thinks it is a possibility that you do have fibromyalgia, you will probably be referred to a rheumatologist for a definitive diagnosis. Many people who are diabetic have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. You must have at least 11 tender points of the 18 recognized tender points associated with fibromyalgia.

2. Other Factors. Being diabetic, your pain may or may not be associated with fibromyalgia. Many diabetics have pain associated with nerve entrapment, which is associated with diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy pain is more localized to certain areas of the body, which is in contrast to fibromyalgia pain. Fibromyalgia pain is transient. You may hurt worse in your arms and shoulders one day, and the next day your worst pain could be in your hips or legs. There is no real test to indicate you have fibromyalgia, like there is for other disorders. If you were diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor was able to confirm the diagnosis from taking blood tests. There is no blood test to confirm fibromyalgia. The only test to indicate fibro is the tender pressure points. If you are having pain frequently, you will need to report it to your health care professional, so that you can be properly diagnosed and treated for it. If you have diabetic neuropathy, rather than fibro, you can take medications to help relieve the nerve pain. If you have fibromyalgia you your doctor may suggest a medication, such as Lyrica to help relieve your pain. Your doctor may also suggest you increase your activity to help relieve the pain from sore joints and muscles.

3. Sleep Disorders. If you have symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as sleep apnea, chronic headaches, memory problems, dry eyes, dry mouth, as well as numbness and tingling, be sure to consult with your doctor, because even if you don’t have fibro, you could have serious impairments caused by conditions such as sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause memory problems, and you may have an increased risk of dying in your sleep with serious sleep apnea. The bottom line with all symptoms associated with diabetes and fibromyalgia is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and report any significant problems to your attending physician.

4. Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. If you are having symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, such as frequent diarrhea, and periods of constipation, and you feel weak and exhausted all the time, you may or may not have fibro. Your doctor will be able to diagnose you and advise you on how to proceed with treatment to alleviate your symptoms. It is important for diabetics to keep their blood glucose levels under control through dietary means, because healthier eating habits usually helps to alleviate the discomfort of IBS.

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