Reged: 08/06/04
Posts: 4381
Loc: Within stray mortar fire of DC
People who have fibro can have swelling. There's a lady at my clinic hwo has noticibly swollen ankles and arms. I found this online at http://www.fmpartnership.org/Monog01.htm:
"Nagging symptoms, such as itchy, dry, or blotchy skin, may accompany FM. Dryness of the eyes and mouth is also not uncommon. Additionally, fibromyalgia patients may experience a sensation of swelling, particularly in extremities (i.e., fingers). A common complaint is that a ring no longer fits. However, such swelling is not like the joint inflammation of arthritis; rather, it is a localized anomaly of FM of unknown cause."
From what I read on the Web, you can get a small amount of swelling with fibro. If you have a lot of swelling, you could have RA and fibro; many people at my clinic have both. What you get with fibro is the *sensation* of swelling. I get this all the time. Also the burning, itching and localized pain that "moves around." If someone hasn't experienced this, I couldn't explain it. But you know if you have it.
I think you should see a fibro doctor. They take you seriously. They're interested in your case, YOUR case, not trying to shove you into a mold of someone else's case. They don't try to tell you how you SHOULD feel. (ie, 3 shots of knock-out medicine and you SHOULD be knocked out). My doc is concerned about how I AM feeling. It's a new world out there regarding fibro care. It's good for the soul to be taken seriously by a doctor too.