Key takeaways

  • Fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can cause similar symptoms, such as pain, reduced mobility, and exhaustion. The symptoms may be difficult to distinguish if a person has both conditions.
  • RA involves inflammation that tends to affect the peripheral joints. Fibromyalgia is a condition involving the central nervous system, though inflammation may play a role.
  • A healthcare professional can help people with RA, fibromyalgia, or both understand their treatment options. A combination of medication and lifestyle changes may be effective.

While fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share symptoms, they are unrelated conditions. They have different causes, diagnostic methods, and treatments.

In this article, we highlight differences in symptoms and describe the range of home remedies and treatments.

Fibromyalgia and RA differ in their symptoms and their causes.

Fibromyalgia typically causes pain and tenderness throughout the body, while RA tends to cause pain, inflammation, and tenderness in certain joints. The physical inflammation of joints as a cause of pain is a key difference between fibromyalgia and RA.

More research is necessary for experts to fully understand the causes of fibromyalgia. Inflammation of the central nervous system (CNS) may contribute.

However, no evidence suggests this inflammation causes joint or muscle damage like RA, and there may be no visible signs.

Causes

While the effects may be similar, these conditions have different causes. Fibromyalgia is a chronic neurological condition, which means that it affects the CNS.

Fibromyalgia changes the way the brain and nervous system process and interpret pain. People with the condition often feel pain and tenderness throughout their body and amplified pain when they experience everyday injuries.

RA is an autoimmune condition. It causes the immune system to harm the synovial tissues lining the joints. This leads to inflammation and pain. Over time, RA can cause permanent damage to the bones and connective tissues in the joints.

While joint inflammation differentiates these conditions, they both have shared symptoms, including:

  • pain felt in various parts of the body
  • pain mirrored on both sides of the body
  • stiffness that is worse in the morning or after long periods of rest
  • chronic fatigue
  • reduced mobility and range of motion in muscles and joints
  • depression and anxiety

While many symptoms are similar, there are usually a few ways to distinguish between fibromyalgia and RA. The table below outlines symptoms specific to each condition.

Fibromyalgia symptomsRA symptoms
• widespread pain that is usually continuous
• pain that lasts longer than it usually would following injuries
• extreme sensitivity to pain
• gastrointestinal problems, such as diarrhea and constipation
• dizziness and headaches
• difficulty regulating body temperature
• restless leg syndrome
• problems remembering and thinking clearly		• severe swelling of the peripheral joints
• pain and tenderness that only affects the joints
• pain and tenderness that feel equal on both sides of the body
• fever
• anemia

People can have both fibromyalgia and RA simultaneously.

A small 2024 study looked at fibromyalgia rates in 97 people with RA, according to the American College of Rheumatology’s diagnostic criteria. The researchers found that around 30% of these participants also screened positively for fibromyalgia.

Research suggests people with preexisting rheumatic diseases may have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia can be more difficult to diagnose than RA, as doctors can typically only diagnose fibromyalgia by exclusion. A doctor will test for many other conditions that cause widespread pain; if none are present, they may diagnose fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia diagnosis

A doctor may diagnose fibromyalgia if a person has:

  • general musculoskeletal pain at 3 or more body parts for at least 3 months
  • no other reason for the pain
  • normal test results
  • tenderness at five soft tissue points

RA diagnosis

If a doctor suspects RA, they will refer the person to a rheumatologist. This is a medical professional specializing in rheumatic conditions. There is no single way to diagnose RA. However, the rheumatologist may use:

  • Medical history: Most people with RA have relatives with the condition, as well as chronic symptoms that impact both sides of the body, primarily the hands and feet.
  • Blood tests: Many people with RA have signs of inflammation and certain antibodies. Cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody levels can signify RA. Doctors may also test for rheumatoid factor (RF) levels.
  • Imaging tests: X-rays, MRI, and ultrasound scans can help to determine the severity of joint damage and exclude other diagnoses, such as calcium pyrophosphate crystals.

Many home remedies and natural treatments for fibromyalgia and RA are similar. However, because the conditions have distinct causes, medical treatments differ.

Medical treatments

While medications for RA and fibromyalgia both aim to reduce pain, their mechanisms are different. Below are some medical treatments a doctor may recommend for fibromyalgia and RA:

Home remedies

Taking the following steps at home may help to ease the symptoms of both fibromyalgia and RA:

  • Rest during flare-ups: When symptoms are at their worst, it may help to rest the affected areas. Some people find relief by elevating inflamed joints or limbs, reducing blood flow to the area.
  • Exercise: Symptoms can cause many people to avoid exercise. However, gentle, low impact exercises that focus on stretching and strengthening muscles and joints may ease symptoms in the long term.
  • Achieving a moderate weight: Achieving or maintaining a moderate weight through diet and exercise may help to reduce the severity of symptoms for both conditions.
  • Hold and cold therapies: People may find they can ease symptoms by taking long, warm baths and using heating pads and ice packs.
  • Over-the-counter medications: NSAIDs and pain-relieving tablets, creams, and gels can lessen the dull pains associated with fibromyalgia and RA.
  • Relaxation and mindfulness: These practices may help people manage their pain and other symptoms.
  • Establish support systems: People with chronic pain may experience depression and anxiety. A network of family or friends who understand the condition can help to provide support.
  • Stay positive: People with chronic conditions who try to keep a positive attitude may be better able to manage their symptoms in the long term.

Alternative therapies

Many believe that natural and alternative therapies can improve symptoms of RA and fibromyalgia. These methods can include:

A healthcare professional can speak with an affected person about their treatment options to create a treatment plan suited to their specific situation.

Fibromyalgia and RA cause chronic pain that can be challenging to live with. Symptoms can affect a person’s mood and interfere with everyday activities.

Some people with fibromyalgia seem to benefit from prescription medications. People with RA can seek medical treatment as soon as possible to slow the progression of the disease and prevent joint damage.

Severe fibromyalgia and RA can become disabling. People may report a lower quality of life, especially during flare-ups of either condition.

However, making changes to lifestyle, using over-the-counter medications, and trying alternative therapies can often reduce symptoms, making both conditions more manageable.

Fibromyalgia and RA cause similar symptoms, such as pain, stiffness, fatigue, and decreased mobility. However, RA occurs due to inflammation in joint tissue, while fibromyalgia pain is due to a disorder of the neurological system.

People can often differentiate between the conditions by assessing their symptoms. However, a full medical diagnosis may be necessary in some cases.

A healthcare professional can help people with RA, fibromyalgia, or both to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.