difference between arthritis and fibromyalgia

[ellye]

How can you tell the diffference between fibromyalgia and arthritis?
I had 2 knee replacements and now have terrible pain in my knee, neck and hands.
My doctor tells me it is arthritis and nerve damage.
Could this be fibromyalgia?

[VaBreeze]

You'll definitely know if you have RSD.  There will be hypersensitivity on the area so that even a slight breeze hurts; tingling, numbness, a constant burning.  Mine is severe because my deep peroneal nerve is dead, the other is working at about 80%.  This was dx'd by doing a nerve conduction study.  The pain is constant and eventually the whole area will develop a high-shine (almost waxy look).  Mine occurred after a fall and the CRS was mainly in the lower part of my leg., however, once I had the knee surgery it extended to that area as well.  It is caused by nerve damage and it can be a consequence of surgery itself.  Just one of the many risks involved.

Depending upon how long you went before having your second knee surgery, it's very possible that arthritis had built up around that area.  Sometimes surgery will alleviate the pain; I found that it didn't do much for mine (I had a huge knotted area and it still hurts).  How long ago did you have this procedure done?  What does the 'burning' feel like?  Is it a gnawing type of pain that gets worse when walking or is it a constant pain and does it burn when you brush up against something or if the bedsheets hit it?  

None of this should have anything to do with the neck region, so i'm not sure about what may be going on there.  If it is arthritis and it's actively causing problems then it should be reflected in the bloodwork that they do.  The doctor may not have mentioned it if it's only been a few months since your surgery (as the body takes months to repair itself and inflammation can occur).  Perhaps taking an anti-inflammatory would help.  They also make patches for pain that you can place on the area.  You could ask your physician for those and see if they help.

It sounds like it's time to seek another rheumatologist.  His bedside manner doesn't sound as if he's very sympathetic to your needs.  You've been through enough and don't need to be patronized because you are in pain.

[ellye]

Thanks for your response.
How did you find out you had Redflex Sympathetic Dystrophy?
I had the first knee replaced 3 years ago and it wqs wonderful.. No Pain and I was able walk perfectly.  I had the second knee done the following year and it was terrible.  I went back to my surgeon many times and he always said the same thing.  The replacement is sitting perfectly and the pain must be coming from something else.
The burning at the scar site was horrible and nothing helped.
I went to a rheumatologist and his answer to me was "If your knee hurts Sit and if it doesn't hurt walk.  He was a real idiot.
My family doctor never mentioned that you can tell inflamination by doing a blood test.
What tests have you done that told you that you had Reflex?
My symtems are sever pain at the incision site of my left leg and pain in my neck which I can control with heat.
Only cold helps a little with the knee.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[VaBreeze]

Arthritis will typically cause inflammation, which will show up in the bloodwork.  Fibromyalgia is not inflammatory.  

I'm sorry you had both your knees done.  I had just one and I feel your pain.  After my surgery I ended up with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, which is due to nerve damage.  I'm praying you do not have this.

The best way to know if it could be fibro would be to visit a rheumatologist.  Since your physician seems to think you have nerve damage, a neurologist may be able to help as well.

I hope you feel better soon.  Take care of yourself.