I keep wondering about this question, is RSD a form of fibromyalgia? I have seen a neurosurgeon three times in the last year (he is very brilliant and has written and published numerous books) since I was diagnosed with RSD. This surgeon has said several times that he is certain RSD and Fibro are strongly linked. One other neurologist in Chicago indicated he felt the same way. However, none of my other doctors have ever mentioned this connection (including Cleveland Clinic). I know last year I read numerous books on chronic pain and I recall one author stating a person can't have RSD without having Fibro but I can't recall the book or author. Does anyone know if there may be a link of some sort?

I have been told by many doctors that RSD and Fibromyalgia are NOT the same. Both are painful neurological disorders/syndromes but overall have different symptoms.

After asking my doctor several times this very question... he wrote down the symptoms of each for me to see... here is what he wrote down. (these are what he uses as diagnisis guidelines)

Here are the symptoms of each:

RSD

• severe burning pain
• pathological changes in bone and skin
• excessive sweating
• tissue swelling
• extreme sensitivity to touch
• extreme sensitivity to cold (sometimes heat)
• persistent moderate-to-severe pain,
• swelling,
• abnormal skin color changes,
• skin temperature changes,
• sweating,
• limited range of movement,
• movement disorders.
• abnormal hair growth

FIBROMYALGIA:

Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes muscle pain and fatigue (feeling tired). People with fibromyalgia have “tender points” on the body. Tender points are specific places on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, arms, and legs. These points hurt when pressure is put on them.

People with fibromyalgia may also have other symptoms, such as:

• Trouble sleeping
• Morning stiffness
• Headaches
• Painful menstrual periods
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Problems with thinking and memory (sometimes called “fibro fog”).

• Fatigue
• Sleep Disturbances
• Body aches
• Reduced exercise tolerance
• Chronic facial muscle pain or aching

I hope this helps...

P.S... I only have RSD... no fibromyalgia... so you can have RSD without fibromyalgia. Some people do have both... but not all.

Abbie

Abbie, thank you so much for the list. I have printed this out for reference. I have no doubt I suffer from RSD, I think I have every listed symptom on your list. I did not accept this diagnosis for a few months because I hated it, but I soon realized, like it or not, I was stuck with it so I try to accept it as best as I can. Thanks again.

here's a list of sites with info -
Fibromyalgia links-
http://www2.rpa.net/~lrandall/index.html
http://www2.muhealth.org/~fibro/fm-md.html
http://www.nfra.net/Diagnost.htm
http://www.fibrohugs.com/
http://www.fmnetnews.com/pages/basics.html
http://hometown.aol.com/fibroworld/index.htm
http://members.aol.com/fibroworld/FMfact.htm
http://home.mn.rr.com/apbiii/fibro-links.html
http://www3.sympatico.ca/jfroache/fms2.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...20607073056.htm
http://fmaware.org/
http://www.mwilliamson.com/info.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic790.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic47.htm

there are many similarities but some definite differences that make each stand out.

FMS has extreme fatigue and the specific tender point locations.
one of those links will show/tell the locations of those.
It's been awhile since I did all the reading on those sites.

It is possible to have both as well as other close conditions.