There is nothing to be scared about. They will examine you. Probably do the tender point test. Then they will take lots of blood and urine to rule out Lupus, arthritis and other things. I had to ask them to also rule out Lyme and MS.

A FM dx is made only after everything else is ruled out. The only thing to be afraid of is getting a DX of FM. Because if you have it, it is then a very long road to find what meds will help you and which ones don't work at all. And of course the biggie - there is no cure yet.

Just go in there...tell them Exactly what you been dealing with on a daily basis...have a short version of a journal along if ya keep one...I Took along a Head to Toe Symptoms, how intense they usually are, how often they Effect me, and How the whole thing has Impacted my Life...

your Dr. will touch you, he/she will move you around a bit...ask ya questions...perhaps Draw some blood, tho mine did not...

then if she Deems you to have it, you will be Offered and slew of Meds probably...But before taking even ONE of these Meds, be SURE to Research Research RESEARCH !! and then Decide for yourself which ones are Worth the Side effects, then watch the side effects...and keep an open honest Dialog with ur Dr.

If you Do have this...I would also Look into Alternative and Holistic methods of Treatment...to either do alone, or With the meds...

GL to you !!

I should have been clearer - my physio has said i prob have, one out of my 2 docs thought i had it, ive had lots of bloods, now my second doc has me seeing the rheumatologist.

Im currently taking FM medication, as well as walking, pilates, using heat, rest and diet.


It feels like its it. and if it is Id rather have it on paper so its clear, and it will help out with work. They have said i cant come back until i have seen the rheumatologist and be ok'd for it.

The first two replies said basicly what I would say. Also a new doctor may have better ways to treat it. I not sure why rheumatologist are the ones who usually diagnosis it maybe because alot of the symptoms are like other illness they treat and the other doctors want to make sure they didn't miss anything.

Good Luck

Hugs and Prayers

He will most likely touch your pressure points. It took me to my knees when the first Dr. did that to me. I had no clue I even had them. I just knew I hurt ALL over. Dont worry. You may end up getting disability. Dont forget to mention your depression.

Hiya, I was misdiagnosed for three years before I decided to ask my doctor to refer me to a rheumatologist. They had some X Rays taken, an MRI (that took ages to get!) but finally they checked out certain pressure points - if severe pain is indicated in a certain % of them, they diagnose FM. You can check this out on the internet - it will tell you where those points are.

I am interested that you say you take FM medications as I take nothing at all to actually treat FM, although of course I medicate certain symptoms such as pain. What medication do you take?

I have had FM since Dec 2000

Lyn

My doc gave me 50mg of tramadol - up to 8 pills a day, 25mg of amiptrilline to be taken at night. Apparently thats normal.

Nothing to worry about, but I understand the "not knowing" is stressful.
Like everyone else said, they'll probably check your tender points and if they have copies of lab work they may or may not run more.
I'm going to mine in the morning tomorrow, too.
Good luck, and try not to worry. When I first got dx I was given tramadol, also. I still take it, it's a good drug (old drug, relatively safe).
Huggles to you. Remember to BREATHE. :)

i have my first rhemy appt on feb. 18th. have been waiting since october to see her. was dx 13 years ago with cfs/fibro and now that doc is on a new regiment where you pay $1500/year for services. i can't afford that so have to get a new doc. glad to hear the rhemy will do the bloodwork up as i am due for that too.
keep us posted how it goes!

Same for me....tender point test, blood work, asking about symptoms and pain, etc. She had me dx after only a few minutes. I saw the rheumy because my ANA was a bit elevated...hinted at some autoimmune problem. Rheumy started me on Mobic and Flexeril for fibro symptoms and sleep!

HUGS to you and hope the appt goes well!

Well I went.

He said fibro could certainly be an option but he gots lots of bloods done and go back 9th feb.

He did seem to think that Fibro can be caused by stress and is almost a reaction to stress.
I love my job and while it can be stressful on occaision its a lot of fun. I dont think im any more stressed than the next person.

glad you got that behind you. keep us posted.