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 Lupus can be described as a lifelong autoimmune, inflammatory disease that occurs when your immune system begins to attack the healthy cells, tissues and systems in your body. Fibromyalgia on the other hand, is a common musculoskeletal condition that causes widespread pain in the muscles and joints. Because both the conditions involve joint pain, it is quite common for patients to get confused between the two. However, it is absolutely imperative that you distinguish if you are suffering from lupus, fibromyalgia or both, since the treatment options are completely different.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of lupus can be highly unpredictable, as the condition rarely affects two individuals the same way. The symptoms may develop suddenly or slowly; they can be permanent or may come and go. Most patients suffering from lupus, experience flares during which the symptoms get worse. Some of the most common signs of this condition include:

• Appearance of a butterfly-shaped rash on the cheeks and bridge of the nose
• Fever and fatigue
• Swelling, stiffness and pain in the joints
• Lesions on the skin that worsen when exposed to the sun
• Raynaud's phenomenon (fingers & toes turn bluish white, due to the cold or stress)
• Pain in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Dryness of the eyes
• Severe headaches
• Loss of memory
• Confusion
  

Most people suffering from fibromyalgia complain about experiencing a constant dull pain in the muscles; this pain could be localized or widespread. When firm pressure is applied onto specific parts of your body, the pain tends to get worse. These tender points include the sides of your hips, outer elbows, front of your neck, between your shoulder blades, inner knees, upper hips, upper chest, top of your shoulders and the back of your head. Some of the other common symptoms of fibromyalgia include:

• Fatigue
• Sleep disturbance
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Endometriosis
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Depression
• Fatigue
  

Diagnosis

For an accurate diagnosis of lupus, you may be asked to undergo a series of tests, some of which include:

• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
• Kidney and liver assessment
• Urinalysis
• Antinuclear antibody test
• Chest x-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Biopsy
  

In order to determine if you are suffering from fibromyalgia, your doctor will test all the tender points for swelling. In case you have at least 11 tender points and have been experiencing the symptoms for three or more months, you may test positive for fibromyalgia.

Treatment

The treatment for lupus may vary, depending upon the signs and symptoms you are experiencing. The medicines usually prescribed for this condition include:

• Immune-suppressants
• Corticosteroids
• Antimalarial drugs
• NSAIDS
  

Fibromyalgia treatment usually includes not only drug therapy, but also counseling and self-care measures. The medication prescribed for fibromyalgia includes:

• Analgesics
• Antidepressants
• Anti-seizure drugs
  

In case you are not sure which condition you are suffering from, it is imperative that you consult a specialist immediately. Only a well—experienced rheumatologist can accurately differentiate between the two conditions.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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