Fibromyalgia Community

These Are the Methotrexate Side Effects That Make Arthritis Patients Stop Taking It

Methotrexate (MTX) is considered a “first-line” therapy for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is also used to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA). But despite the well-known benefits of helping to reduce symptoms and prevent disease progression, methotrexate has a very mixed reputation among arthritis patients. Perhaps because MTX is so commonly prescribed, many inflammatory arthritis patients start to worry about whether or not they’ll have to take it almost as soon as they’re diagnosed. “For anyone with…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

The Arthritis Symptoms That Matter to Patients May Not Always Be the Ones They Discuss with Their Doctor

One of the main reasons people with arthritis visit the rheumatologist frequently — every three months is common among patients with inflammatory arthritis — is for doctors and patients to assess how arthritis patients are managing their disease. Typical check-ins may include a doctor’s physical exam and assessment as well as reviewing the results of blood tests and imaging tests. What’s also critical at these visits is something arthritis researchers and doctors call PROs, or…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia vs. Lupus: What’s the Difference?

Fibromyalgia and lupus are both chronic diseases with no cure, can both cause some similar symptoms, and can both take a long time to get the right diagnosis. But fibromyalgia — often called fibro — and lupus are two very distinct health conditions with very different causes and treatments, despite having some features in common. Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that involves widespread inflammation and impacts many organs throughout the body. Fibromyalgia a disorder that…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia Symptoms: 10 Clues You Might Be Ignoring

If you’ve had a nagging sore throat, your doctor may take a swab to check for strep. If you’re suffering from a high fever and bad cough, your doctor may order a chest X-ray to look for pneumonia. But not all diagnoses are that straightforward. Case in point: Fibromyalgia, a condition that causes widespread chronic pain — as well as fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties — is often challenging for a physician to pinpoint.…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Is There a Difference Between Having Ankylosing Spondylitis with Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis with Back Pain? A New Study Says Yes

Having AS with psoriasis may have some things in common with psoriatic arthritis, but research shows these are two distinct conditions. About 25% of people who have an autoimmune condition develop at least one more; some people live with three, four, or more. In fact, certain pairs of inflammatory diseases commonly occur together. For one, people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) (also known as axial spondyloarthritis) — which is best-known for causing chronic lower back pain…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Can It Cause Knee Pain?

When you’re dealing with knee pain that won’t go away, you might blame it on overuse or age-related wear and tear. But in some cases, knee pain can come from a form of inflammatory arthritis such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). AS is known for causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness predominantly in the spine and sacroiliac joints (where the spine meets the pelvis). People often equate ankylosing spondylitis with lower back pain, but it can affect…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Arthritis in Your Toes: Signs of Toe Arthritis, and What to Do About It

When you think of arthritis, you might think of creaky knees, stiff hips, or painful, swollen fingers. Yes, arthritis commonly attacks joints in the hands, knees, and hips. But it can happen anywhere you have joints — including the toes. So, if you can’t bend your big toe or have swelling around your toes, this toe pain may be caused by arthritis too. Toe arthritis can be caused by wear and tear of the cartilage…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Does Fibromyalgia Cause Back Pain?

Fibromyalgia — a disorder that causes widespread chronic pain and tenderness — affects 2 to 4 percent of women and men in the United States (women ages 20 to 50 are the most affected) and impacts patients in many different ways. Thus, fibromylagia remains mysterious, and questions still linger — like why are more women affected by fibromyalgia than men? And why is fibromyalgia so hard to diagnose and treat? Why do some patients with…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Arthritis

What Is Enthesitis? The Painful Arthritis Symptom You Should Know About

If you have ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis, you may be familiar with the pain of enthesitis, an inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone — even if you aren’t aware it has a name. “I didn’t know what it was called!” Monica D. told us on Facebook. “I have pain all the time. Makes it difficult to walk very far.” What Is Enthesitis? “Enthesitis is inflammation of the ‘enthesis,’ which is where…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia vs. Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Differences in Signs & Symptoms

Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis are both chronic diseases with no cure. Fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis can both cause some of the same symptoms. They can both take a long time to get the right diagnosis. They’re both more common in women. But fibromyalgia — often called “fibro” — and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two very distinct health conditions with very different causes and treatments, despite having some features in common. Read on to find out…

by chronicwoman•03/31/202108/23/2025•0