Did the doc give you script for Lyrica? If so, give that a chance. My daughter (31) has fibro and the Lyrica is the only med she's tried that gives her relief from the pain.

As fibromyalgia is an inflammatory muscular and joint disease, my money is on the fact that sweetleaf is correct and lupus or MCTD may involve fibromyalgia.

Just as lupus can flare for periods of time, it can also go into remission. However, the level of remission may be determined whether it is drug-related remission (benefit of meds) or a drug-free remission.

Peace out.

Was it a rheumatologist that diagnosed you?

I think lab work can vary in everyone. I've had a positive speckled ANA with a titer of 1:80 for approx. 17 years. Then, the last time I was there, they said it was negative. (I think they got the tests mixed up. But who knows.) Anyway, I have heard that sometimes the ANA can change back and forth.

I have Fibromyalgia and most my symptoms seem to be this, instead of Lupus. I've got several symptoms of Lupus- but thankfully, they don't seem to be severe.

So yeah, maybe get a second opinion. Make sure you're seeing a specialist, like a rheumy.

I've tried the Lyrica and it didn't work for me. I was deathly ill within 3 days. BUT!!! I've heard many, many people say that they've had wonderful success with it.

I've not heard about the Etodolac. But know of some people having good luck with Plaquinil.

My thinking has always been- no matter what, try it. What works for one may or may not for another.

Be sure to keep us informed.

I've not heard about the Etodolac. But know of some people having good luck with Plaquinil.

Etodolat aka Lodine is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug like Naprosyn, Advil, etc.

Plaquenil is an anti-malarial and sometimes put into the category of DMARD.

The 2 drugs are not related in any way.

Typically, when the pain is in the muscles, it's considered fibromyalgia. FMS is NOT inflammatory while lupus pain typically is inflammatory.

Lupus can go into remission. But you can also have lupus AND fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia occurs when there are sleep problems. The lack of proper sleep causes our bodies to malfunction... this lack of proper sleep prevents our bodies from restoring, healing itself thus causing fibromyalgia. A sleep study easily shows the sleep disturbance.

FMS symptoms are usually treated with drugs that help our sleep disturbances. Elavil is one. Elavil helps to restore deep, restorative sleep and this causes the pain, braim fog, etc to go away.

At the same time, not all doctors will accept a diagnosis from another doctor. If the doctor who gave you the lupus diagnosis is a rheumatologist, the diagnosis shouldn't be ignored... if the lupus diagnosis was given by another type of doctor, the diagnosis should be investigated.

Lupus is a very complex, confusing disease and a rheumatologist is the only type of doctor who truly understands lupus... even then, rheumies will have differing opinions.

Fibromyalgia should also be diagnosed by a rheumatologist. So if you haven't seen a rheumatologist, you need to.

There is not a definitive diagnositc test for lupus. A positve ANA does not mean you have or don't have lupus. A positve ANA is just a piece of the overall puzzle. Same with a SED or ESR test. An elevated SED rate doesn't mean you have or don't have lupus. Just shows that something inflammatory is going on.

I have systemic lupus, fibromyalgia, hypothyroid, etc, etc. I was diagnosed after having my first child. Over the last 13 years, my ANA, ESR, anti-DNA, compliment, etc, etc levels have been up and down. What does it mean? Absolutely nothing!

In the mean time, I just have my kidneys, liver, etc watched. I don't ignore my symptoms or any problems I'm having. I have bloodwork done every 6 months or so. No point in wasting my time or money. I take over 25 pills a day. I'm in tune with my body and my doctors listen to me. Nothing else to do.