My doctor just used her fingers to push on the tender points, that was back in 2007. She didn't push very hard at all. I don't know what to compare it to, it's just a bit more than a touch.

The pressure she used was a bit more than a touch, but the pain I felt was as if she was pushing on a bad bruise in some places and others I was shocked at how painful it was, The insides of my knees, I didn't know I even had pain there til she touched those spots.

The doctor will press and if you scream when he/she does that. That is basically how I remember it. I went to the doctor for a second opinion and she pressed a point in my arm. It never had bothering at on till she pressed it and she said yep you have it.

Some drs use the 18 points (I call it the poke & probe LOL) and now some are going by symptoms being present for 3+ months.

However, I've also had 3 EMG's, 1 spinal, multiple MRI's, multiple CTs, multiple x-rays, tons of trial meds, and the list continues.

I was missed dxd originally as having MS but the spinal and brain tests proved no.

FM and MS, evidently, are very close in symptoms. It was the spinal along with a brain CT that proved which one I had.

OH & HOW COULD I FORGET!!!!! MULTIPLE PSYCH EVALS!!! Yes, I'm not crazy. LOL

I had no idea what my Rhumy dr was looking for when I was sent to him by my Primary care dr. I thought it was for RA. When he was done pressing on me he stepped back and said he was pretty sure I had FM as all 18 pts pressed were hurt. It just felt like a those places were bruised when he pressed on them. Some more than others.

FIC, please don't use the term "crazy" when talking about psychiatry. It's very hurtful to those of us who have been under the care of a psychiatrist for many years...as in my case, 30 years. I don't consider any patient as crazy. They have imbalances and traumas in their lives. Thanks.

I had the tender point touch in 2006. I had all 18 tender points. That was the day I was diagnosed by my general practitioner. I was then diagnosed, about 4 months later, by a rheumetologist who also did the tender point test. I about went through the roof when he touched the insides of my knees.

I scored 15/18 and echo Ida. I am dx'd with PTSD. That doesn't make me "crazy". It means I survived some serious sh*t, and please also recall that what is "normal" or "crazy" is relative. Some women find it normal to wear a burqa and think we're crazy for wearing blue jeans, for example.... It's a pretty loose term, and it's not too helpful. I'll add that yes, I'm sensitive to this--- b/c "crazY' was the worst insult you can throw at someone back home, and it's labels like that which prevent people from speaking up when they need help. (me included, btw, which would be why I have PTSD.)

If you've never needed help, good for you. We're not all that blessed, let me tell ya!

I had all 18 tender points and I think that if there had been 50 I would have had all 50 too.

I also agree with Ida that having mental health issues does not make a person "crazy" and that is not a nice thing to say because some of the bravest people I know have had emotional struggles.

Thanks :)

Isnt there other tests that the doctors use now besides tender points? I am still trying to figure out what doctor to even go see. So far I have been to a regular gp, a dietician, an allergist, and a gastro dr. Who is next and how long does it take to get a diagnosis before one goes crazy?

I just got back from my first appointment with a Rheumy. He did press on a few tender points, but I'd say more like 8 or 10. His evaluation was done by me filling out a 4 page questionnaire and talking to me about my medical history. He made the diagnosis before he even touched me. Instead of doing the pressure point test he had me choose which areas of my body I felt chronic pain from a diagram. This Rheumy seemed pretty young so maybe he is using the new diagnostic criteria?

Jodie,

As I suggested before try seeing a Rheumatologist.

The best way to describe it I guess is if someone pushed really hard on your shoulder blade and it hurt. However, the doctor will barely touch you and for someone with Fibro, the pain is bad. Unlike someone that doesn't have it. I didn't explain that very well but I'm having a bad fog day so forgive me. Hopefully someone can explain it better to you. Hugs GB

I was first dx by my family Dr. in 2007, She then sent me to, 2 different specialist, what they were a specialist of I am not sure.
And last time, a Rheumy, mainly due to the extreme pustular psoriasis I have, and to keep an eye on Psoriatic Arthritis. He all so dx me with fibro.

I have an dermatologist to help me keep the psoriasis under control, and a gynecologist for compounded hormones, and to deal with my abdominal adhesion disease.

And unfortunately the list goes on, yes I hate all of this, and so wish it would just go away.

Tender point pressure test , and some other rather nasty test, I could of done with out. MRI x 4 or maybe 5, TC scans, x rays, bone scans, sleep study x 2, many different types of blood work. I am sure there have been more test, but I can't remember at this time.

Many different types of medication I ended up with really bad side affects, and bad rashes, and hives. So was taken off them.
Medical history.

I wish you the very best working your way though this maze.

Sending caring thoughts your way.

Thanks for the replies.. I've read it was similar to 4lbs of pressure which seems like a lot. Especially considering painful light pressure can be..