Best chance of diagnosis is to see a rheumatologist - they original came up with what is now the definitive standard for diagnosing FMS. First they will run a gamut of blood work to ensure it's not something else that can have similar symptoms. They will also do an exam that will check both tender points (typical of FMS, and there are 18 "official" tender points that do not refer pain, and you need a certain number of these to test positive), as well as trigger points (these actually refer pain to other places) - trigger points are typical of Myofascial Pain Syndrome. FMS usually only responds to drugs such as the tricyclic antidepressants, and drugs like gabapentin, Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Lyrica. Note: Cymbalta not only helps with FMS and MPS, but also with neuropathic pain and depression! I've personally responded best to Cymbalta. Other people respond to gabapentin and/or Lyrica. Your rheumatologist will know. I was diagnosed with FMS and MPS in 1989 (joy!) One thing about MPS - if majorly stressed, it will flare, and it usually will respond to prednisone, at least for me. Hope this helps and gives you some more info!

Blessed Be!

Hi @A MyChronicPainTeam Member . I'd advice that you see a doctor who "believes " that fybromyalgia exists as a condition of the body not just the mind. Medical experts have progressed massively in recent years but unfortunately there are still a few that haven't caught up. Fybro is not just about painful trigger spots but extreme fatigue, memory loss., forgetting words in sentences. Im in the U.K. & was diagnosed by a rheumatologist but had previously been told I had chronic pain by my orhopaedic specialist who went on to agree after being told by the rheumatologist. Good luck with getting a Dx don't be fobbed off with its all in your head. Because it's definitely not. I sure don't want to be debilitated like this I'm sure every fybro warrior feels the same. Xxx

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A MyChron...

Hey sweetheart!! When you are thinking Fibro, you want to pay attention to how your shoulders are feeling, your knees, feet. It's a nerve problem (not sure if I'm telling you things you already know, but I know a few people with it and have a form of it myself). It's basically a constant throbbing, shooting, burning pain that will be felt over your entire body. The specific spots I mentioned are where the doc will be looking, but you will also need to pay attention to the feeling of fatigue (like bad, you will feel dead on your ass). It affects every patient a little different, so hit me back with any other questions. I'll be thinking of you and praying for you. Glad to hear from you sweetheart, hit me back if I can b e of any help. Positive thoughts and prayers. B.

Hi pam iv been on cymbalta and lyrica for about 6 years now it helps with syatica back pain L3L4 L5 an S1 i had a back op 14 years ago now i have neck pain and sholder pain i also take Junista 32 mgs and resently i went to a specialist he told me i needed a back fusion so i got a second apinion from the doctor who did my op then i found out i have osteoathritise in my back and didnt need fusion YET now i dont know what hurts more ,,, what to do now my head and heart want to do everything but my bodys says no

In South Africa, the diagnosis is made through a process of elimination. So the docs test for RA etc. If those all come back negative, then they settle on the Fibromyalgia diagnosis. I also did DNA testing to ascertain the best foods to eat, and the DNA results clearly show a gene related to inflammation, and yes, it's genetic. So I got it from my dad, and my son got it from me.