I was diagnosed later in life, around 35 or so. Not sure why it developed later in life, but it did. And then it went into remission for probably 5 years in my early to mid-40s and now has resurfaced since I started trying to jog again (I'm 49 now).

I don't remember exactly the tests that were done to make the diagnosis, but I know it was the usual process of elimination.

Sorry you're experiencing this illness at a relatively young age. :(

Youka, I was 25, in the mdi-1990s. I had about 8 years of remission or very very light FM in my 30s, and it got worse mostly because of a family stress issue, followed not long after by an accident. (Injury stuff.)

The process of elimination seems to remain the number one way to dx FM. If it's not all that other stuff, well, what remains... There have been changing diagnostic criteria over the years.

I had X-rays, MRI, CT, and extensive bloodwork to rule out autoimmune diseases, genetic stuff, you name it. Frankly, if you've got worries or doubts, pester the docs, ask for different specialists. (I saw neuros, rheumys, pain docs.)

I was diagnosed in 1994 at the age of 45 but I started having problems in 1982. I was in the hospital 4 different times between 1982 & 1987 & had over 125 different tests done on me. All came back negative.

From 1982 to 2005 I went through numerous periods of flares & remissions before I had a major flare in 2006 with only a short period of remission. However, since 2008 I feel like I have been in a constant flare.

Good luck in your search for some lasting relief but as you can see there is no rhyme or reason as to what our age may be when it hits or how mild or severe it will be.

Each one of us has to travel our individual journey down the terrible path that fibro has for us.

I've not been diagnosed but have experienced symptoms at age 12 and in my 40's, both stressful times.

I posted on "Is It Fibroma...?" because I've been experiencing symptoms again, I'm 65, also a very stressful time. This time it's much worse.

I try to stay away from drs. I find I can't always trust them. From what I've read here they don't know about this disease so why go thru tests, meds. etc.? I trust people going thru the same thing.

Is there any treatment? I'm just learning about it. Thanks for your patience.

Good Luck Youkai! Hugs and Smiles!

I was diagnosed several years ago in my early 50's, when my father, brother, aunt and 2 cousins died within 5 months of each other. I've since lost my mom too and that didn't help the symptoms.

At that time (or over the course of the next few months), I was diagnosed with Hashimotos Disease, Sjogrens, possible Lupus, and Fibromyalgia. I was a physical and mental mess. I was sick much longer than this, I had had various issues all my life, including migraine and back/neck issues. So the mental stress of all my losses just exploded inside and I got really sick. I've spent the last several years trying to adjust to it and figure out the right combinations of meds, food, exercise etc. to keep the flares out of my life. It ain't easy. :)

There are multiple blood tests you can have done for some of the issues I have and others. Make sure your doctors do all the blood tests for these auto-immune diseases too.

Have a great day!

I was diagnosed at 30 but had it for atleast 10 yrs before that. I would go to the dr and they would just tell me to exercise more, eat healthy, lay off the caffeine, etc. I finally found out about FM after doing my own research & pushed Drs to let me have a referral to a rhumey. I've since had 2 rhumeys dx me with FM.

Ahh.. I was just curious because thing I've noticed is I've had all these symptoms before since high school at least. But they were not to this degree. I would have basically "flares" in a sense, but they also accompanied mental health problems and I was diagnosed with Bi-polar. But later in my life I came off medications and have the verbal capacity to verbalize my complaints rather then act out. (I'm also autistic) And I do not have periods of "mania" and am pretty mentally stable, besides occasional PTSD episodes. So It makes me wonder if I have actually had it for much longer, or some other disorder. But I have heard that it's usually diagnosed in peoples 20s. Dunno..

Ravenstar - What is a rheumy? I'm guessing some kind of specialist.

Trying to learn as much as I can about FM to be prepared when and if I go see a dr. I'm better today but am dreading tonight. Will probably sleep on a recliner again.

Seems that it is definitely related to stress!

Rhumey is a Rhumetologist... don't know how to spell that.

I was diagnosed at about 35, I had a minor situation (UTI) get completely out of hand because of a series of things. Wrong antibiotics for what I had lead to 2 1/2 courses of meds, causing a yeast infection which got into my skin through an allergic reaction rash, and finally ending with infection being systemic and lymph system reactions. I was sick for an entire summer -weeks of being sick, tons of tests...on and on. I started feeling tingly and light headed and forgetful during all of this (my mom has fibro so I am familar with it) and my doctor ran so many tests a huge scary list of cancers and an STD...all negitive. He then started monitoring me for other symptoms and I developed (in a very short time) 15 of the 18 pain points. He told me I probably had it for years but the illness caused it to raise its ugly head. I dealt with it quietly and with as few meds as i could mostly ibuprophen until November of last year (2015) almost 4 years after the initial diagnoses - now on effexor and It helps with the day to day pain but not the fatigue - I would love to not be tired all the time