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Testing for Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is an often misunderstood chronic pain condition that affects 2 to 4 percent of the population of the United States. Although identifying the condition can be difficult and there are no definitive lab tests, there are certain methods of testing for fibromyalgia that point clearly to a diagnosis. Doctors can test for fibromyalgia symptoms and treat a patient based on individual circumstances.

  1. The Facts

    • Fibromyalgia is characterized by fatigue and pain that spreads throughout the body, both above and below the waist and on both sides. It is a chronic condition with no known cure and it is often associated with other inflammatory diseases and conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and multiple sclerosis. The cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, but common factors among those afflicted indicate fibromyalgia may be caused by biochemical changes, infection, trauma, gender and age.

    Misconceptions

    • Many people believe fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic illness, mainly in a patient's head, rather than a legitimate physical phenomenon. Experts disagree. Writer Linda Melone, an expert with Everyday Health, states that millions have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and it was officially recognized as a disease in 1991. Although blood tests and x-rays are often normal in patients with fibromyalgia, there are well-documented symptoms that are real and life-changing.

    Features

    • Without strong diagnostic tests, physicians often rely on symptoms as primary evidence of fibromyalgia. Some of the common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia can be debilitating. Common symptoms include muscle pain throughout the body, mild to severe fatigue, lack of energy, loss of concentration, memory disruptions, sleep disturbances, digestive problems and weight gain. Patients with fibromyalgia are often very susceptible to extreme hot or cold temperatures and may also experience dizziness, chest pain, migraines, anxiety, depression and irritable bladder.

    Diagnosis

    • There are two primary factors involved in testing for fibromyalgia. To receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, patients must have experienced widespread pain for at least three months. They must also exhibit abnormally high sensitivity at 11 of 18 specific "tender points" clustered around the neck, shoulders, chest, hips, knees and elbows. These tender points have been developed by physicians to identify the muscle sensitivities classically associated with fibromyalgia. Physicians also test for fibromyalgia by evaluating a patient's experience with common symptoms of the condition.

    Considerations

    • Many diseases have similar symptoms to fibromyalgia, making diagnosis even more difficult. Rheumatic and inflammatory diseases often manifest themselves with similar symptoms to fibromyalgia. These diseases can generally be ruled out by blood tests. The Fibromyalgia Network also points out, "the distinction between fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is very fuzzy rather than sharp." They state that as many as 70 percent of all fibromyalgia patients also meet the criteria for CFS.

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