Rheumatoid Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment Options

How to Differentiate Fibromyalgia from Other Chronic Pain Syndromes: A 2025 Clinical Guide

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder marked by widespread musculoskeletal discomfort, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Despite growing awareness and improved diagnostic methods, fibromyalgia remains challenging to distinguish from other chronic pain syndromes. Conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, myofascial pain syndrome, and neuropathic pain disorders can present overlapping symptoms that often lead to misdiagnosis or delayed treatment. Accurate differentiation is essential for implementing effective treatment plans, preventing unnecessary testing, and…

by chronicillness•06/25/202507/27/2025•0

American College of Rheumatology About Fibromyalgia: Standards, Diagnosis, and Research Insights

Fibromyalgia is a complex and multifactorial condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. While often mischaracterized or misunderstood, fibromyalgia has been extensively studied and formally recognized by leading medical organizations. One of the most influential authorities shaping the clinical approach to fibromyalgia is the American College of Rheumatology. Understanding the American College of Rheumatology about fibromyalgia helps both healthcare professionals and patients align with current standards, diagnostic protocols, and evolving…

by chronicillness•06/25/202507/29/2025•0

Fibromyalgia vs Rheumatoid Arthritis: Understanding the Key Differences

Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) are both chronic conditions that cause widespread pain and fatigue, but they are fundamentally different diseases. Many people confuse the two because they share overlapping symptoms. However, understanding their differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder that affects the way the brain processes pain signals. It leads to widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties (often called “fibro…

by Dr Alex Robber•06/11/202508/02/2025•0

Fibromyalgia vs Autoimmune Diseases: Understanding the Differences and Overlaps

Fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases share many similar symptoms, including chronic pain, fatigue, and brain fog. Because of these overlaps, fibromyalgia is often mistaken for an autoimmune disorder. However, fibromyalgia is not classified as an autoimmune disease, and its causes and treatments differ significantly from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the differences and similarities between fibromyalgia and autoimmune diseases is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. What is Fibromyalgia? Fibromyalgia is…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/29/202508/02/2025•0

The Simplest Path to Inner Peace: The Easiest Way to Calm Your Nervous System is Somatic Tracking

Introduction: Discovering Calm in a Chaotic World In today’s fast-moving world, stress is almost unavoidable. For many, stress triggers physical symptoms — tight muscles, racing heart, shallow breathing, or chronic pain. But what if the simplest tool to calm your nervous system wasn’t medication, complicated therapy, or expensive treatments? What if peace could begin within your own body, through somatic tracking? This article explores how the easiest way to calm your nervous system is somatic…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/21/202508/02/2025•0

The Silent Struggle Behind The Smile: You See Me Well, I Look Good, But I’m Not Good – Drafted By A Patient

Introduction: The Truth Behind Invisible Illnesses Every day, people living with invisible illnesses wake up, dress up, and show up — often looking just like everyone else. But beneath the surface lies a struggle that words often fail to capture. The phrase “You see me well, I look good, but I’m not good” perfectly reflects the hidden reality faced by countless patients dealing with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, lupus, and mental health…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/21/202508/02/2025•0

Hidden Battles: 21 Powerful Stories of Celebrities Facing Autoimmune Diseases Including Megan Park’s Fight with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Understanding Autoimmune Diseases and Their Impact on Everyday Lives Autoimmune diseases are health conditions where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the body. There are over 80 types of autoimmune disorders, including Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Psoriasis, and Type 1 Diabetes. These diseases often come with lifelong symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain, inflammation, and emotional struggles. Despite advancements in medical science, millions of people worldwide live silently with these conditions. The…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/19/202508/22/2025•0

Unmasking the Silent Shift: 11 Smart Strategies for Coping With New Memory Loss Symptoms After Living With Chronic Illness

Living with a chronic illness already demands an immense level of resilience. It often means adapting to physical limitations, emotional strain, and long-term changes to your routine. But when new symptoms emerge—particularly those related to memory loss—it can feel like a setback that’s hard to accept. Memory loss, even when subtle or gradual, can add a new layer of difficulty to an already complex journey. Understanding how to cope with these changes is essential for…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/17/202508/22/2025•0

Quiet Power: Why I’m Rejecting ‘Hustle Culture’ in My Life With Chronic Illness and Reclaiming Peace

Hustle culture is everywhere. It glorifies productivity at any cost, celebrates late nights and early mornings, and rewards the ability to constantly push through boundaries in pursuit of success. But for those living with chronic illness, this relentless drive is not just unrealistic—it can be dangerous. I’ve learned this lesson firsthand, and that’s why I’ve chosen to reject hustle culture in my life with chronic illness. Understanding Hustle Culture and Its Consequences Hustle culture feeds…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/17/202508/22/2025•0

Through Unseen Eyes: What the Doctor Who Evaluated Me for Social Security Should Have Done Differently

The day of a Social Security disability evaluation is often filled with anxiety. It’s a moment where years of symptoms, personal hardship, and complex medical history are distilled into a brief appointment with a stranger. For many, that evaluation becomes a defining point in whether they receive crucial support—or walk away feeling unseen. Reflecting on my own experience, I’ve come to understand what the doctor who evaluated me for Social Security should have done differently.…

by Dr Alex Robber•05/17/202508/22/2025•0