4 Responses

1. Julia_B

   November 10th, 2009 at 3:40 am

   1

   In addition to taking a written and verbal history, they will likely check for specific ‘tender points’ that are points that are tender with fibromyalgia.

2. Ryan_M

   November 10th, 2009 at 11:25 am

   2

   Hi Sarah! The Rheumatologist is pretty much the last place you go to get a "for sure" diagnoses. At least that’s the way it went for me. The Rheumatologist will give you a blood test just to ensure that you don’t have RA. He/she will touch different areas of your body to see if you exhibit any response, i/e testing for tenderness. He/she may also do X-rays to make sure you don’t have any Osteoarthritis or Arthritis.

   Mostly it will be a Q/A session. Fibromyalgia is a diagnoses that is reached by exhausting other illnesses. There are new drugs that are marketed specifically for Fibro. Do some research on it. There is tons of info out there. The main thing he/she should discuss with you would be sleep. Fibro patients don’t get restorative sleep, so the muscle tissue cannot repair itself. If he/she doesn’t bring it up, you should. Sleep, good nutrition and non-strenuous excercise are the best things you can do.

   Hope that helps a little!!! This is just some of the things I’ve learned since I was dx’d several years ago.

3. justmeinthisworld

   November 10th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

   3

   be warned–most docs–including most Rheumatologits are INCOMPETANT when it comes to fibromyalgia-

   they refuse to diagnose it
   think it is an emotional problem
   think it is arthritis
   think it is a general term for any pain

   it is its own disease–due to a problem with the central nervous system–this doc may or may not have a clue–don’t accept everything he says as gospel—

4. Cris_S

   November 10th, 2009 at 10:58 pm

   4

   He/she will ask for specific symptoms, where the pain is, when pain gets worse, what makes it worse, etc. Just go with the flow!! This is no reason for distress as potentially help is on the way. I’ve heard of good results with Lyrica.