When it comes to Fibromyalgia syndrome, or FMS, the trickiest part for any individual is ascertaining if indeed they do suffer from the condition.
Because FMS is such a complicated and still not entirely understood illness, there is no easy diagnostic process. The term fibromyalgia is derived from the Latin word for fibrous tissue (fibro) and the Greek words for muscle (myo) and pain (algia).
Unlike many other illnesses, there are no laboratory tests or foolproof methods of actually diagnosing FMS. Unfortunately, this means that many sufferers go for years without having the syndrome being successfully diagnosed.
Often doctors will make several other diagnoses beforehand – and this is quite a common trajectory as FMS symptoms mimic several other illnesses.
A process of elimination
FMS is characterized by a widespread pain, cognitive disruption and chronic fatigue. The initial FMS indicators are considered to be pain which lasts for 3 months, the presence of fatigue and there being no clear underlying cause for such problems.
These three major symptoms, however, are also present in many other, more commonly diagnosed illnesses.
Sometimes doctors will even shy away from the diagnosis of fibromyalgia because the syndrome is still considered to be quite a controversial diagnosis – and many medical practitioners will still be found to rebut the existence of FMS.
Nevertheless, the first step to your doctor being able to determine whether or not you do indeed suffer from FMS is to eliminate the possibility of other similar illnesses. These can include:
- Rheumatic diseases: disorders like arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s syndrome and several other illnesses which plague the joints can cause aches, pains and stiffness similar to that associated with FMS.
- Neurological disorders: anything like multiple sclerosis that affects your central nervous system can result in the numbness and tingling which presents in a similar fashion to FMS.
- Mental health problems: depression and anxiety disorders can also cause aches and pains as well constitute lethargy and a general cognitive disruption.
- Structural defects: any problems with your body’s skeletal or muscular system, such as scoliosis, may present issues with your body’s ability to process pain.
Once your doctor has eliminated as many possible problems from this list of the four major categories of illness which could mimic FMS, it is time to proceed to the means of actually addressing the possibility of Fibromyalgia.
The tender point examination system
There are two systems of diagnosing FMS, with the tender point examination having been heavily criticised in recent years.
Derived in 1990 by the American College of Rheumatology, this examination makes use of a system of 18 tender points on the body which are particularly sensitive to pressure. These are localised areas of pain located near joints which often become inflamed.
For a diagnosis of FMS to be made, 11 of 18 tender points must be painful when pressed (see illustration).
While this method has had varying results, some claim that it is only 75% effective in detecting FMS, mostly because pain levels can fluctuate greatly on a day to day basis.
Usually such a diagnosis will need to be made by a rheumatologist who will test each of the paired tender points. Nowadays, however, even neurologists are branching out in the treating FMS.
New diagnostic criteria
Since 2010, a newer system of diagnosing FMS has emerged. This system does away with tender point examinations and instead makes use of a widespread pain index coupled with a symptom severity scale.
The widespread pain index is a list of 19 different areas on the body, where the patient may have experienced pain in the last week.
For each area where pain has been experienced, you assign a score of 1 point, with a possible total of 19 points should you have experienced pain in every area. These areas are as follows:
- Shoulder girdle, left
- Shoulder girdle, right
- Upper arm left
- Upper arm right
- Hip (buttock, trochanter) left
- Hip (buttock, trochanter), right
- Jaw, left
- Jaw, right
- Upper back
- Lower back
- Upper leg, left
- Upper leg, right
- Neck
- Chest
- Abdomen
- Lower arm, left
- Lower arm, right
- Lower leg, left
- Lower leg, right
For symptom severity, the patient assigns a score of 0 to 3 to the following possible symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Unrefreshing sleep
- Cognitive disruption or problems
- Somatic symptoms in general (these include headaches, physical weakness, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder/urination issues, nausea, dizziness, numbness/tingling or hair loss)
The totals of the severity symptoms are then added up with a possible maximum of 12 points, where 0 = no problem, 1 = slight or mild problems, generally mild or intermittent, 2 = moderate, considerable problems, often present and/or at a moderate level, and 3 = severe: pervasive, continuous, life-disturbing problems.
Finally, your doctor can compare your scores on both lists to determine your possibility of FMS. For a diagnosis of FMS, you need to score at least a 7 on the widespread pain index AND at least a 5 on the severity symptom scale.
Alternatively, you could also score between 3 and 6 on the widespread pain index AND at least a 9 on the symptom severity scale.
The diagnostic process
When it comes to diagnosing FMS, always bear in mind that it diagnosis is a complicated process which is by no means foolproof.
There is no way of being entirely certain of whether or not an individual suffers from FMS because the illness affects everyone differently.
All you can do is find a patient doctor who is willing to run through all of these possible diagnoses with you.
Sure I have it, had it after a knee surgery. That triggered it.
Along with osteoporosis, arthritis,DDD,spondythothisis,venious insufficiently, just to name a few. Have been on pain meds since. Now that the government has gotten involved. They are taking all my meds away. And I get to be in pain every day. Not to mention fighting for social security for 5 years. Which I had to give up. We were going to have to live on the streets if I didn’t go to work.
The only way I can function at work is with my meds. I’m so scared of what is going to happen without them. They have already started the prices of cutting my meds. My depression has gotten worse.
Sure I have it, had it after a knee surgery. That triggered it.
Along with osteoporosis, arthritis,DDD,spondythothisis,venious insufficiently, just to name a few. Have been on pain meds since. Now that the government has gotten involved. They are taking all my meds away. And I get to be in pain every day. Not to mention fighting for social security for 5 years. Which I had to give up. We were going to have to live on the streets if I didn’t go to work.
The only way I can function at work is with my meds. I’m so scared of what is going to happen without them. They have already started the prices of cutting my meds. My depression has gotten worse.
Mainey, I feel your pain. There is a hysteria going on about the use of Opioids. The AMA has made it clear that doctors are over prescribing and Dr.s who don’t have the guts to fight for their patients are just yanking this stuff off the market, even after major surgery!! If a dr is monitoring your usage and it is medically necessary and you are not addicted, I feel it is inhumane!!
Mainey, I feel your pain. There is a hysteria going on about the use of Opioids. The AMA has made it clear that doctors are over prescribing and Dr.s who don’t have the guts to fight for their patients are just yanking this stuff off the market, even after major surgery!! If a dr is monitoring your usage and it is medically necessary and you are not addicted, I feel it is inhumane!!
The excuse the government gives in restricting opiods is people either get addicted and eventually have to buy their drugs on the streets or some people overdose on them. Well guess what, they are doing the opposite of what they want to accomplish. They are going to drive people to the street to get their meds and instead of overdosing on them, people will commit suicide if they can’t get relief from their pain. I would like to see the people who are making these be in my kind of pain and give them either a low dose of pain med or no pain meds.
The excuse the government gives in restricting opiods is people either get addicted and eventually have to buy their drugs on the streets or some people overdose on them. Well guess what, they are doing the opposite of what they want to accomplish. They are going to drive people to the street to get their meds and instead of overdosing on them, people will commit suicide if they can’t get relief from their pain. I would like to see the people who are making these be in my kind of pain and give them either a low dose of pain med or no pain meds.
I don’t understand why it is so important for the government to take control of pain medication. Of course it can be abused. So can alcohol and nicotine. If I don’t get some relief from this pain I don’t see any reason to continue. I have no quality of life and I feel like I’m losing my mind in regard to the degree of pain. Why do we have pain medication if we can’t use it? In a post I had read earlier someone said I wish they could feel my pain for one day. That is the truth. I have to worry about keeping a roof over my head. Without pain medication that is not possible. I’m scared to death of what is going to come. They believe that patients with fibromyalgia or drug seeking. If they only knew what it took for us to exist.
I don’t understand why it is so important for the government to take control of pain medication. Of course it can be abused. So can alcohol and nicotine. If I don’t get some relief from this pain I don’t see any reason to continue. I have no quality of life and I feel like I’m losing my mind in regard to the degree of pain. Why do we have pain medication if we can’t use it? In a post I had read earlier someone said I wish they could feel my pain for one day. That is the truth. I have to worry about keeping a roof over my head. Without pain medication that is not possible. I’m scared to death of what is going to come. They believe that patients with fibromyalgia or drug seeking. If they only knew what it took for us to exist.
There are some documentaries which found hemp oil effective to reduce pain. One should try this with other ways to have better health. It is effective for improve brain development, immune system health and mood regulation. CW hemp oil worked for me.
There are some documentaries which found hemp oil effective to reduce pain. One should try this with other ways to have better health. It is effective for improve brain development, immune system health and mood regulation. CW hemp oil worked for me.