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Are there any medical tests that can confirm fibromyalgia diagnosis?
Is there any medical test that can confirm fibromyalgia? I ask because I don’t like a diagnosis that is a label given by doctors to patients who have a broad spectrum of symptoms and test negative for the tests that they have thrown at them.
I’ve been “diagnosed” with fibromyalgia by several doctors for about 30 years. I have quotation marks around diagnosed because what doctors have done is note my symptoms, run tests to rule out other diagnoses, say that I have fibromyalgia and prescribe Cymbalta and/or Lyrica and/or Gabapentin. I also say about 30 years because my memory is so poor that I actually forget I had been diagnosed. I was a nurse for 43 years and 20 years ago I lost my only child. She was an adult at the time but that didn’t make it any less painful. I have been treated for depression ever since and even my psychiatrist who I’ve been with 11 years assumed I was on Cymbalta because my PCP (now retired) had prescribed it for my depression. She thought it was time to ween me off it and a week later I was in crippling pain. That’s when I remembered the fibromyalgia diagnosis and Cymbalta being prescribed. My depression is treatment resistant and I have taken a variety of antidepressants, mood stabilizers, even a few antipsychotics, one ECT with a severe paranoia delusional response, had a vagal nerve stimulator implanted and now I’m going to have my first doctor prescribed Ketamine infusion at a medical facility in a few days. Because I don’t know what else to do to lift my depression. I’m over 70 and walk 1 to 3 miles every day because I know that between the pain and depression inactivity is contraindicated.
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sftroll, God Bless You. It seems all Fibromyalgia patients are so different. Most Fibromyalgia patients also
battle CFS (Chronic Fatigue Sydrome) with Fibro. I cannot tolerate any of the Fibromyalgia medications. I have
had Fibromyalgia for 30 years. I am amazed you can walk 1-3 miles a day. My knees will not let me do that and I am facing knee replacement in the not to distant future. My Fibromyalgia has worsened with age.
My primary doctor that diagnosed me did the sed rate tests and palpated all of the Fibro trigger
points and ruled out MS, Lupus & RA before diagnosing me. He tried everything with me and I simply couldn't tolerate the medications because of the side effects.
I have a lot of arthritis and both thyroid diseases which tends to go along with Fibromyalgia. Have
you been tested by an Endocrinologist...full panel? Thyroid Disease can reek havoc on Fibro. I wish this was
talked about more.
It sounds like the Cymbalta worked for you as it helped with your pain and possibly your depression.
I am presently going to a Fibromyalgia/Spine/Arthritis specialist and I am going to get trigger point injections soon. Is there anyone like this in your area?
I won't list all of my symptoms with Fibro but migraines are at the top of the list along with daily pain and
extreme fatigue. I try and keep my mind busy, read my Bible and pray. My love for the Lord keeps me
going. I do find doing as much as I possibly can for others helps to keep my mind off of my pain helps me.
Some days, I soak in epsom salt, use heat packs and take a nap. Some days, I have to go to bed early. I have
had to accept my busy "old" life is no more and this is the "new" normal. Yes, its very hard because I am a
doer. I had to learn to let things go to be able to function daily and accept it. Voltaren gel has helped me too. I have been to a pain clinic but, I could not tolerate any of the meds for Fibromyalgia. Barometric pressure change can be torture some days can't it? Looking back, I believe my Mama had Fibromyalgia and it was
just never diagnosed.
I have been to 2 Rheumatologists and I could not tolerate the meds and one of them truly did not understand
Fibromyalgia. Now, I am finding that a lot of them no longer accept Fibromyalgia patients and refer you back
to your primary doctor. Also, some of them are not accepting Medicare.
Do you get massages? Not the deep tissue massage, but, a gentle massage. They help me greatly.
Personally, I feel the best when I have to go on a prednisone taper for sinus infection/asthmatic bronchitis. I
don't have migraines and my fibromyalgia pain is almost completely gone. Also, when I go on an antibiotic for
sinus infection, I do not hurt as bad. I believe Fibromyalgia is linked with a lot of inflammation and that is why I get relief. I also know what long term steroids even a low dose can do to your body. The side effects long term
are not good.
Have you read "The Spoon Theory?" If not, look that up and see if it encourages you.
My heart goes out to you greatly this a.m. I hear your pain and I understand so much of what you are
describing, but, not all of it. Fibromyalgia (I believe it's autoimmune) is a hard disease and it is
very wearing on your body. It is so misunderstood.
Do you have a close friend you can talk to about it that understands?
I realize your situation is different and with your medical background it sounds like you have been to
all of the specialists. Question: Have you had COVID by chance? I had it twice and it made my Fibro much
worse and fatigue much worse. I went to a Long Covid Recovery Clinic and was diagnosed. I went to an
Integrative Medicine Doctor and I was unable to tolerate the infusions for Long Covid.
I am praying for you right now. I empathize with your pain. Blessings & Prayers.....
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1 ReactionI am so sorry to hear of your loss, even after all this time it doesn't make it any easier.
I have had bouts of being low but not been diagnosed with depression. I am on and off amtripuline for fibromyalgia and it has helped with my moods and pain. It's interesting that your pain came back as soon as you stopped antidepressants.I had loads of tests before I was given my diagnosis and it's interesting that after each test coming back negative that it became the obvious diagnosis for my pain consultant. It is real and physical pain but the cause isn't seen on normal tests as our brains are not signalling the right messages and pain is much more amplified, well it was explained in a better way from my consultant who is very interested in the whole condition. It kind of puts our whole bodies out of balance which causes a vast array of symptoms. I think research is ongoing but there are thought to be chemical imbalance/differences between fibromyalgia patients and normal people in the brain but I am no doctor but my consultant was trying to simplify it . It's very complicated but at the moment they do just diagnose on patients history, symptoms chronic pain for 3 months or more in different parts of the body.. My husband bought me a mayo book on fibromyalgia which is interesting and easy to read. I think treatment is tailored to each individual and what works for you might not work for me. I have just got a small battery powered tens machine that the NHS uses here in England. I just put the patches on in the worst parts of pain and the electric currents encourage the body' s natural endorphins to help with the pain. It's good you're active but it's not good to over do exercise. I wish you well, it's a difficult journey but take each day as it comes . I find great comfort in treating myself on better days and with my faith and Church I know God suffered for us and is with us in our suffering.
God Blessx
I’m also on a low dose of Cymbalta for depression and fibromyalgia. It does seem to help a bit. The only testing I had was from doctors using pressure points as the deterioration. I’m 79 and diagnosed years ago. Good luck finding help. Know that you are not alone.
@sftroll Unfortunately, even after all these years, there is no single definitive test for Fibromyalgia. At least we now have a battery of tests to rule out other disorders, as well as the pain/trigger point diagnostic tool.
Here is what Mayo Clinic has to say:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354785
You are not alone, fibromyalgia is complex, not well understood, and some still don't believe it is real. Boy Oh Boy, if you have it you know it is real. And the depression that often accompanies chronic pain. And you have the added burden of grief over the loss of your daughter, which can worsen both pain and depression.
My Fibro (was diagnosed nearly 40 years ago, and I have osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis and chronic pain. It has been a long road finding treatment that actually helps, and my best tool has been a pian rehabilitation clinic run by my large clinical practice (this is not medication focused, meds are just one small tool in the arsenal.) Mayo Clinic also offers an in-patient pain rehab clinic. Contact: https://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
Another tool - the book that started my journey - is "The Way Out" by Alan Gordon and Alon Ziv.
Do you have a pain rehabilitation clinic near you? Your primary provider may know.
So far I haven’t heard ONE MEDICAL TEST THAT CONFIRMS FIBROMYALGIA!!
I have had lots of other diagnoses that “go along with fibromyalgia” but that doesn’t confirm it, it only “lends itself to support” the diagnosis. So yes, I have arthritis, I have a spinal nerve stimulator implanted that is way beyond the TENS and interferential nerve stimulator. I own high end versions of each of these but can’t use them anymore because I have the SCS implanted now. I’ve had both knees replaced. I had Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. I am fatigued daily. Have trouble sleeping amongst other issues. Believe me when I say that I have been treated with every valid treatment and some have given me short term benefits. But I still want to have a valid medical test because right now all I have is a label.