Which doctor diagnoses fibromyalgia

FM is also likely to involve overlapping conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome , migraine , and sleep apnea. If you're having symptoms from these or other undiagnosed overlapping illnesses, it may change or expand the list of conditions you're tested for.

Since your healthcare provider may need to rule out a dozen or more conditions, testing can be extensive and often includes blood tests and imaging. Fortunately, some blood tests can help rule out numerous diseases. Fibromyalgia typically involves low-grade inflammation or no inflammation at all, whereas many diseases with similar symptoms are characterized by high inflammatory levels.

Tests for inflammatory markers are often among the first performed when you go in with widespread pain and other possible FM symptoms. They include:. You may also have blood tests for:. Imaging studies that may be performed include:. Other kinds of tests may include:. You will likely only need a fraction of these, and testing will probably be done in several rounds.

It's common for healthcare providers to start with tests that have a broad significance and base further testing on those results. For example, if your first round of tests shows you don't have elevated inflammatory markers, there's probably no need to test for antibodies indicating autoimmune diseases with high levels of inflammation.

Any time you're having unexplained pain, severe fatigue, or cognitive changes, you should see a medical professional. Tell your healthcare provider all of the symptoms you've been having, even if they don't seem related. Once exclusionary testing is done and symptoms have persisted for at least three months, it's time to start looking at FM diagnostic criteria.

First, you need to have generalized pain in four of five regions. Those regions are the four quadrants of your body plus the "axial" region, which is along the spine. This criterion specifically excludes the jaw, chest, and abdomen. By definition, fibromyalgia pain is widespread. The WPI includes 19 places on the body and asks you whether you've had pain there in the past week. You get a point for every "yes," with the left and right sides of most areas counted separately.

The areas are:. Your healthcare provider may also ask you to characterize your pain. For example, is it dull, sharp, electrical, stabbing, etc.? Part A measures three key FM symptoms and Part B looks at other somatic physical symptoms you may have. The Part A symptoms are nearly universal among people with FM:.

For each of these, you'll be asked to rate your symptoms over the past week on a scale from zero to three. For Part B, you'll be asked whether, in the past six months, you've had:. You'll be given one point for each "yes.

Once you're done with this process, you'll have two scores, a WPI of between zero and 19 and an SSS of between zero and A diagnosis of FM can be made with two different combinations of scores:. The symptoms of FM are often life-altering, and going through this long diagnostic process before getting any solid answers can be really hard. And once you get a diagnosis, you'll need to start making treatment decisions.

You're bound to have a lot of questions and may not even know where to start. This guide can help you prepare for your healthcare appointment so you can make the most of your limited time. Get our printable guide for your next healthcare's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Possibly, yes. Fibromyalgia is most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged women , though anyone can have it. A family history of fibromyalgia may also mean you are more likely to have it. There are a lot of different treatment options for fibromyalgia symptoms, including medications such as analgesics, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants; occupational therapy; and lifestyle changes such as diet and weight loss.

This diagnostic process may seem strange, but research shows that it does work for accurately diagnosing fibromyalgia.

A correct diagnosis is key for you to get the right treatments, and as grueling as the process can be, it's worth it if it means understanding what's going on in your body and, especially, getting on the path toward feeling better and getting back to your life.

Learn about treatment and lifestyle changes to cope with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Normalizing fibromyalgia as a chronic illness. Postgrad Med. It must also be felt on both sides. See Suffering and Chronic Pain. Widespread Pain Index Patients are typically asked if they have pain in any of 19 potential tender points. Each tender point where pain is experienced counts as 1 point, with the score on this index ranging from 0 to Symptom Severity Score Fatigue, waking unrefreshed, and cognitive symptoms are ranked by severity in this assessment.

The extent of additional symptoms typically associated with fibromyalgia is recorded, but these are not ranked by severity. Possible scores are between 0 and See How to Understand Chronic Pain vs. Acute Pain. Some patients may be provided with an illustrated chart showing tender points and a checklist to note symptoms. A detailed discussion of symptoms is especially important due to the likelihood of coexisting conditions.

Thinking through the answers to these questions before the visit can help the doctor hone in on a diagnosis:. Writing symptoms and questions down in advance of the visit can be a good way to ensure that nothing is forgotten. The non-specific nature of many fibromyalgia symptoms, such as fatigue, can lead to an incorrect diagnosis.

The diagnosis may be confused with other conditions, including, but not limited to:. While symptoms for these conditions may overlap, treatments generally do not. Getting a correct diagnosis is the first step in learning what treatments and lifestyle changes may make life easier with fibromyalgia.

Fortunately, many fibromyalgia patients see improvement in their symptoms after the diagnosis of fibromyalgia has been established and their "demon has been named," which can be a relief in and of itself.

A rheumatologist is a doctor with special training in treating diseases of the muscles, joints, and connective tissues. These include:. Your rheumatologist will perform initial and follow-up tests and monitor how well treatment is working. Psychologists and psychiatrists both treat mental disorders like anxiety and depression. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor and can prescribe medications. These doctors may be able to help you manage feelings of despair and pain.

Fibromyalgia frequently leads to depression and the depression can worsen your symptoms. Both psychologists and psychiatrists can provide counseling and other forms of therapy that are useful for fibromyalgia. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for example, helps those with depression by challenging the negative self-talk that can worsen your mood. You may use one-on-one sessions or take part in a support group led by one of these professionals.

Physical and occupational therapists help people strengthen muscles and joints. This can help you perform everyday activities better. They also help find ways to go about daily life with less pain. They can help you be more active and create effective exercise programs. They may assist with stretching and range of motion exercises. Some of these therapists come to your home for visits while others are available at a clinic.

Other treatment professionals may play a role in the treatment of fibromyalgia. They include massage therapists, pharmacists, and personal trainers. Learn about the different kinds of health professionals who treat depression to ensure you're finding the best help for you.