I'm glad to hear that, Lambtender. I've found many of the younger MD's are far more open to using "alternative" methods to promote healing than their older brethern. Part of the problem is a different take on methodology, because most MD's are taught to treat the disease, while DC's are looking at the cause and what to do to help the body heal itself. If you can combine the two ideas, you as a patient get a win-win situation.

Sammi, While many older people get osteo, it's possible for younger people to also get it as well. There are theories about why, but so far nobody has been able to make a connection. Because you were exhibiting symptoms at 24. Did your Dr check you for the frequency you had strept infections, strains, sprains? One theory suggest frequent strept infections seem to cause these type of issues. There also is a school of thought that there is a newer more virulent type of strept causing an increase in both osteo and RA. However, since this bacterial strain hasn't been isolated, it seems to be another theory.

I have to disagree with your Dr. since scientifically Osteo and RA are two entirely different diseases. One does not cause the other, the body does not work that way. This is kinda like math, 2+2 is always 4.

I happen to be a Dr of Chiropractic, so no I don't always agree with my fellow MD's ideas. However, I have participated in x-ray studies comparing the difference in bone structure between patients with osteo and those with RA. Osteo shows wearing of the areas. RA shows both wearing and an increase amount of displacement and deformity of the bone and the facets of the bone. We did this with a team from the U of Minnesota. They did the RA patients, we did the osteo. The results were a real eye opener for all of us.

I am of the belief that there is something the doctors are missing as there has not been enough education, research, and study done on FM. I tell me doctors this frequently, and yes I am not always very popular with my doctors. I just can't believe that our bodies can turn against us without there being an actual underlying and connected cause.

Terri, a good dr will do multiple tests for Lupus, RA etc, before coming up with a diagnosis for FB. Each one has very similar symptoms which is why FB is so difficult to diagnose and treat. Yes, we all have similar and different symptoms, but I think it has more to do with the way our bodies react, than the fact the disease are linked. Since drs really have no idea as yet what causes FB, the theories are all that are available.

I have had fibromyalgia for years and was just diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. My fibro pain is very different from my RA pain. RA is visible swelling, redness, warm to the touch and my knuckles are getting crooked. I have never had these symptoms with fibro. I am also interested in any studies done but haven't found much about it. In my case my symptoms do not overlap it is clear to me what is a fibro flare and RA flare.