How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Find out why doctors must first exclude other possible conditions and how they diagnose fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue.
Another reason fibromyalgia diagnosis remains difficult is that there are currently no diagnostic laboratory tests for fibromyalgia; standard laboratory tests fail to reveal a physiologic reason for pain. Because there is no generally accepted, objective test for fibromyalgia, some doctors unfortunately may conclude a patient's pain is not real, or they may tell the patient there is little they can do.
Trigger Points:
Trigger points are symmetrical, with 9 pairs (18 total) points on the body.
For a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia (FM) at least 11 trigger points will be painful when pressed.
The symptoms are many and they can fluctuate like crazy -- one day you feel pretty good, the next you can barely walk, the next you're OK physically but just can't concentrate or communicate effectively.
How can you and your doctor figure out what is going on with you?
A symptom diary can be a big help. By keeping daily track of how you felt and what you did, you may be able to find patterns or identify triggers. Maybe you're most tired the day after you go to the grocery store, or perhaps your flare-ups regularly start 14 days into your menstrual cycle. A diary can help you and your doctor spot these kinds of thing when you might otherwise miss them.
A diary also can help your doctor determine which symptoms are bothering you most often. If you typically see your doctor toward the end of the day, pain may be more prevalent in your mind because you're achy then, whereas a diary might show you're exhausted every day, but only bothered by pain 3 or 4 days a week.
Knowing what symptoms you experience most, and to what degree, can greatly help shape your diagnosis and treatment, as well as help you make decisions about life-style changes and plan around things that are predictable.
What You Need:
A Good Relationship With Your Rheumatologist Or Doctor.
A Physical Therapy Regimen You Will Follow.
A Treatment Program Involving Medication And Exercise.
A Good Understanding Of Meditation And Relaxation Techniques.
Ongoing Education - Stay Aware Of Fibromyalgia News And Research.
Preparing for your appointment:
Because many of the signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia are similar to various other disorders, you may see several doctors before receiving a diagnosis. Your family physician may refer you to a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
What you can do:
You may want to write a list that includes:
Detailed descriptions of your symptoms
Information about medical problems you've had in the past
Information about the medical problems of your parents or siblings
All the medications and dietary supplements you take
Questions you want to ask the doctor
What to expect from your doctor:
In addition to a physical exam, your doctor may check your neurological health by testing your: Reflexes
Muscle strength
Muscle tone
Senses of touch and sight
Coordination
Balance
MayoClinic.com
Fibromyalgia is a type of soft tissue or muscular rheumatism and does not cause inflammation, joint damage or deformities!
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