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Symptoms and diagnosis of fibromyalgia:

SYMPTOMS OF FIBROMYALGIA

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood syndrome (note the distinction of syndrome and not disease) that may affect up to 6 million Americans with most of the affected population made up of middle aged adult women. Although the symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary greatly from patient to patient, there are some specific hallmarks.

The key symptom is widespread muscle pain with pressure sensitive tender points in the shoulders, neck, arms, back, hips and legs. These tender points are typically in some or all of the specific areas indicated below:

Fibromyalgia Tender Points

This pain is usually accompanied by feeling chronically tired and often having difficulty concentrating "fibro fog" and commonly trouble with sleep. Many of the other frequently seen secondary symptoms relate in some way to pain such as headache and menstrual pain. Depression or at least feeling depressed is another frequently seen symptom.

DIAGNOSIS OF FIBROMYALGIA

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome can be difficult because there are no conclusive tests that can be done. The diagnosis must be made based on your symptoms and also by trying to rule out any other medical conditions with similar symptoms. The main criteria is "four quadrant pain" which means both sides of the body above and below the waist (basically pain all over). There is supposed to be pain in at least 11 of the 18 locations indicated on the chart above but many doctors feel that because the pain comes and goes this may not always be necessary. Another barrier to correct diagnosis of fibromyalgia is that other symptoms that you have such as headache or abdominal pain may be your predominant symptom and might lead your doctor in the wrong diagnostic direction.

To complicate things even more, it is not uncommon for other unexplained syndromes to exist along with fibromyalgia. Some of these other syndromes are; irritable bowel, chronic fatigue and multiple chemical sensitivity. The more of these syndromes that exist at the same time, the greater the risk for major depression to also be a factor.

Fibromyalgia is real, all of these syndromes are real and the days of categorizing patients with them as having imaginary illnesses or just having emotional issues are gone. If your doctor will not take you seriously and really work to improve your condition then find a doctor that understands this condition and will work with you to alleviate your pain!

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Note: The fibromyalgia information found on this site has been prepared by a team of licensed health professionals, while it is as current and complete as possible, we make no claims as to the accuracy of any information provided nor its suitability to treat fibromyalgia or any other medical condition. No changes in your fibromyalgia treatment plan or medications should be based on this material except as directed by your healthcare provider, as they are the only ones qualified to initiate or modify you fibromyalgia therapy.