| For weeks you have been aching from head to | | | | you ache all over and suffer from chronic fatigue |
| foot. You have no energy, you can't concentrate | | | | for months on end, have trouble focusing and |
| and you can't remember the last time you got a | | | | struggle with anxiety and depression, it must first |
| good night's sleep. You have been to the doctor a | | | | be determined what you DON'T have rather than |
| few times already and all he can tell you is what | | | | what you DO have. Because if you have |
| you DON'T have. You have read about | | | | fibromyalgia, there is no test that will indicate that |
| fibromyalgia and even talked to others that have | | | | you have it. |
| been diagnosed with the disease. Yet, so far, no | | | | In other words, diagnosing fibromyalgia is difficult. |
| one can tell you whether you have it or not? | | | | This process is very contrary to the health care |
| Sound familiar? | | | | system as currently structured. The optimal level |
| Well welcome to the world of fibromyalgia | | | | of testing and analysis to reach a confident |
| diagnostics. It is bad enough that there is no cure | | | | diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be cost prohibitive. |
| or significantly effective treatment for this | | | | As a result, the symptoms of fibromyalgia can be |
| condition, but it is even more frustrating when it | | | | conveniently dismissed as psychosomatic. |
| takes so long for anyone to tell you that the | | | | Conversely, fibromyalgia can become the catchall |
| problems you are having are caused by | | | | diagnosis when there is resistance to traveling the |
| fibromyalgia. | | | | long road to a conclusive diagnosis. Either way, the |
| There is no debate as to the validity of | | | | patient loses. |
| fibromyalgia as a disease. In fact, the World health | | | | Sometimes, a patient receives great relief when |
| Organization has recognized the disease for many | | | | they are told what the problem is, even if a |
| years. It is the diagnosis that is debatable. | | | | solution is unclear. Receiving a confidant diagnosis |
| Fibromyalgia is a very confusing and | | | | of fibromyalgia may not provide relief but at least |
| misunderstood condition. It has been known by | | | | it allows the sufferer to move forward to explore |
| many different names for well over a century | | | | treatment alternatives. |
| but was not termed "fibromyalgia" until the 1970's. | | | | The American College of Rheumatology has made |
| The term is derived from the actual experience | | | | this diagnostic process easier for patient and |
| of the condition. "Fibro" - which represents the | | | | physician by developing criteria for fibromyalgia |
| fibrous tissues affected (i.e. ligaments and | | | | that can be used in diagnosing the disorder. |
| tendons); "Myo" - representing the muscular | | | | According to the criteria established by the ACR, |
| system; and "Algia" - meaning "pain," which is the | | | | a person is considered to have fibromyalgia if he |
| dominant manifestation of this disease. Essentially, | | | | or she has experienced widespread pain for at |
| fibromyalgia means being in pain almost | | | | least three months in combination with tenderness |
| everywhere. | | | | in at least 11 of 18 specific tender point sites. |
| Fibromyalgia must be diagnosed through a | | | | While this may not be as definitive as a blood test |
| process of elimination. In other words, before a | | | | or X-rays for other conditions, at least there is |
| complaint can be labeled fibromyalgia, it must first | | | | guidance that results in diagnosis with a high |
| be determined that there is not some other | | | | degree of confidence. |
| cause. If your appendix is inflamed, you have | | | | As for treating fibromyalgia... well that's another |
| appendicitis. If you fall and bang your head a CT | | | | story! (I'll deal with treatments in a subsequent |
| scan will indicate if you have a concussion. But if | | | | article. Stay tuned. |