Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

While there is no single test that can be used to diagnose fibromyalgia, most healthcare providers (usually specialists) will run tests to eliminate other underlying causes for the pain and symptoms a patient is experiencing. Certain conditions, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, can present similarly to fibromyalgia. However, upon further investigation, they produce symptoms inconsistent with that diagnosis. It’s important that healthcare providers test carefully for multiple conditions in order to make the proper diagnosis. The diagnostic process^[12] for fibromyalgia commonly includes:

• Medical consultation: It’s important for the patient to speak with a healthcare provider about their signs and symptoms, as well as their personal and family medical histories. Specialists may ask you to describe your pain, as well as discuss when it began and for how long it has been present. They may also ask whether you have a family history of fibromyalgia or chronic pain and inquire about any injuries, trauma, or stress you have recently experienced.
• Physical exam: Your medical provider will investigate the areas that are causing you pain and try to eliminate any other possible causes for your pain. They may also find the points at which you have the most pain or tenderness. Most specialists know where patients with fibromyalgia are most likely to experience pain, and will gently probe these spots without adding to existing pain levels.
• Imaging tests: These are often used to eliminate other possible causes for your pain. Some imaging tests include x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds. Each test will be used to look for issues with your muscles, bones, joints, or tendons, as well as other issues that could be causing your pain. In some cases, what’s causing a patient’s pain may be hidden until revealed by an imaging test.
• Blood tests^[13]: These may include a complete blood count, an erythrocyte sedimentation rate test, a cyclic citrullinated peptide test, a rheumatoid factor test, or other tests used to determine how well your thyroid is functioning. Each of these can serve to eliminate conditions that may cause symptoms similar to those of fibromyalgia.