Fibromylagia vs Sciatica?

I am BiPolar, which gives me total exhausation and sleeping problems amongst other things.
How then, do I know if I have fibromylagia or sciatica - aches, cramp, shooting pains in back, hips, bum, knee and leg down right side only?

Widespread pain. Fibromyalgia is characterized by pain in specific areas of your body when pressure is applied, including the back of your head, upper back and neck, upper chest, elbows, hips and knees. The pain generally persists for months at a time and is often accompanied by stiffness.
Fatigue and sleep disturbances. People with fibromyalgia often wake up tired and unrefreshed even though they seem to get plenty of sleep. Some studies suggest that this sleep problem is the result of a sleep disorder called alpha wave interrupted sleep pattern, a condition in which deep sleep is frequently interrupted by bursts of brain activity similar to wakefulness. So people with fibromyalgia miss the deep restorative stage of sleep. Nighttime muscle spasms in your legs and restless legs syndrome also may be associated with fibromyalgia.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating associated with IBS are common in people with fibromyalgia.
Headaches and facial pain. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have headaches and facial pain that may be related to tenderness or stiffness in their neck and shoulders. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which affects the jaw joints and surrounding muscles, also is common in people with fibromyalgia.
Heightened sensitivity. It's common for people with fibromyalgia to report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.
Other common signs and symptoms include:

Depression
Numbness or tingling sensations in the hands and feet (paresthesia)
Difficulty concentrating
Mood changes
Chest pain
Dry eyes, skin and mouth
Painful menstrual periods
Dizziness
Anxiety




Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. You may feel the discomfort almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it's especially likely to follow a path from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf.

The pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It may be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting or walking can also aggravate symptoms. Usually only one lower extremity is affected.

In addition to pain, you may also experience:

Numbness or muscle weakness along the nerve pathway in your leg or foot. In some cases, you may have pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another.
Tingling or a pins-and-needles feeling, most commonly in your toes or part of your foot.
A loss of bladder or bowel control. This is a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition that requires emergency care. If you experience either of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

It certainly sounds like sciatica is a possibility. You'll really need to go to your gp to get a proper diagnosis of simple injury, neurologic injury, or other problem. Tell the gp exactly where the pain is and when it occurs and he can help with medication, exercises, and other ideas as appropriate.
You can give stair-step lying a try--it can't hurt. If the problem is sciatica, it'll make it feel a lot better for now.
Just lie on your back on the floor with your thighs up the front of a chair or sofa and your lower legs on the seat. Stay that way for 30-45 minutes while reading, watching tv, whatever. It'll take the pressure off the sciatic nerve.

sounds like me. But I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and well this causes a lot of fatigue and well I have all of your signs but its most likely Sciatica I have that to, and its a nerve thing see your doctor to rule this out .

i have both...fibromylagia is quite different from sciatica....usually if i get sciatica..i learned from my orthopedic surgeon to get a medi pac...which is methopredisolone...it usually takes the swelling out within a day...sciatica is the shooting pains that go from you back to your ankles...very painful.....the fibromyalgia is a exhausting dull pain for me...i always explain it as i feel like i have baled hay to the point i can't pick up the last bale...and i haven't done a thing...the dr has just started me on some meds...go to dr...check out web site for fibromyalagia...have them send you pamplet...that how i got my dr to understand what i am going through