Polymyalgia vs Fibromyalgia: Diagnosis
Polymyalgia can be diagnosed with blood tests, MRI or ultrasound and giant cell arteritis tests. But in the case of fibromyalgia, there are no lab tests that can confirm a diagnosis. A physical examination of tender points is used to diagnose fibromyalgia. Your doctor may also choose to perform blood tests to rule out certain conditions with similar symptoms.
Polymyalgia vs Fibromyalgia: Medication
The first line of treatment for polymyalgia, a condition due to stiffness and pain, is corticosteroids such as prednisone for pain relief. However, fibromyalgia treatments may be a combination of pain and fatigue relief. For this, your doctor may recommend painkillers like ibuprofen or Tylenol and an antidepressant to improve sleep.
For both conditions, medication is not the only approach doctors take. They will also recommend lifestyle and diet changes and exercise to prevent further symptoms from recurring.
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