How hard is it to diagnose fibromyalgia?
Diagnosing fibromyalgia can be difficult, as there’s no specific test to diagnose the condition. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary and are similar to those of several other conditions. During diagnosis, you’ll be asked about how your symptoms are affecting your daily life.
What triggers a fibromyalgia flare up?
Stressful events, surgery, or accidents can make fibromyalgia symptoms worse. Flare-ups can also be caused by a lack of sleep or doing too much or too little exercise.
How can doctors test to see if I have fibromyalgia?
How to diagnose fibromyalgia Start tracking symptoms. Many fibromyalgia patients begin their journey to diagnosis by tracking symptoms. Get a thorough physical exam. Different doctors, including your general practitioner and pain specialist, may run physical exams. Check the blood. Examine other physical or mental causes. Work towards a diagnosis with your healthcare team.
What are the criteria for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia?
You have a widespread pain index (WPI) score of seven or higher and a symptom severity scale (SS) score of five or higher.
How can you tell if you have fibromyalgia?
To determine if you have fibromyalgia, the doctor will ask if you have pain in multiple areas of your body that has lasted for more than three months and how much you are bothered by symptoms like fatigue, trouble sleeping and difficulty thinking clearly. The pain of fibromyalgia (FM) is profound, chronic and widespread.
How do you get diagnosed with fibromyalgia?
One of the primary ways fibromyalgia is diagnosed is by reviewing a patient’s symptoms, which include chronic widespread pain over a long period, fatigue and sleep disturbances.