Osteoarthritis or Fibromyalgia?

Hi All,
I have crippling arthritis of my spine.
I went to a new doctor and he said, "Oh, I know what you have. You
have Fibromyalgia."
He then told me about an OTC medicine I could take that would make me
all well.
I have always wondered: What is worse? Arthritis or Fibromyalgia? I don't
have those trigger points of Fibro and I don't really have many of the symptoms.
Do doctors say "Fibromyalgia" so they won't need to prescribe Opiods?
I have been trying to get a straight answer to this for years.
I hope someone comes along with an idea.
Thank You,
Pamela Neckpain

For many years I have had a bad back. It started back in my teens. At the time, the doctors never took me seriously so I thought hmm maybe it's in my head and then I just tried to ignore it the best I could. As I got older my back pain became worse and I seriously persued it. So many doctors tried telling me that I have fibro because they couldn't find anything on my tests. I thought, ok cool, finally a diagnosis! But I did more research on fibro and discovered that I don't have this at all because I just don't fit into that category. I think that many doctors just throw that out because they now know that it is a real condition and unexplained pain seems to fit into that category. I don't know if it's because they are trying to avoid prescribing pain meds but more of throw their hands up type deal because they don't know what else to tell you.

Btw, after persuing the matter with my back it was found that I have sacroiilitis and 2 herniated discs in my neck and now I am having nerve pain issues. I feel the nerve pain could've been prevented if doctors would've taken me seriously in the beginning.

 I am new. My name is as stated.

The docs tell me I have Firbo. But I also have extensive arthritis in my neck. My rheumatologist is wondering how I could have it so bad at 42yrs. I have RLS and have seen a sleep doc as well. I usually take requip, but the doc wants me to try mirapex.

In reading the warnings and studies, I see that the requip can cause arthritis. WOW

I am on: Wellbutrin, vallum, requip, oxycontin, vicodin, prilosec (go figure) an feldene, zanaflex, lyrica, robaxin...hum..oh yeah, I have COPD but just recently quit smokoing, (chantix and my belief in God really did it for me) so I have a few inhalers also.

Those meds strarted out slowly after physical training. I have also been a pin cussion.

I do not use those all eveyday, but I do feel like I am playing with them trying to figure out what will work next because, I still hurt.

I am having a mri on my brain tomorrow. I want MS ruled out.

I am forgetful, can not recite numbers correctly (I say them out of order) but I can usually key them correctly. I have trouble reading too, but only outloud.

I really want something to be wrong, so it can be fixed. My doc's agree that I can't be fixed (lol).

I guess I just want to see what is out there reqarding these topics.

 I am a confessing Christian but will refrain as much as possible to draw my beliefs into conversation in order to remain as politically correct as possible.  

So "Hi" to everyone.