Fibromyalgia 102

Fibromyalgia 102

Part 2 of the Fibromyalgia Blog Series (see parts one and three)

According to the American College of Rheumatology, fibromyalgia is a condition which affects 2- 4% of people, making it a fairly common condition. Have you ever wondered if you have fibromyalgia?

Keep reading to find out to find out if you meet the criteria for a fibromyalgia diagnosis.

Fibromyalgia has strict criteria requirements which need to be met before a diagnosis of fibromyalgia is made.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no blood test or imaging test that can confirm fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia is made only by a clinical diagnosis; that is, from your history and symptoms. That is why it is so important to provide your physician with an accurate medical history, which includes a detailed description of your symptoms and the timeframe in which they first began.

So how exactly is fibromyalgia diagnosed?

Fibromyalgia Diagnostic Criteria:

1. Severe pain in 3 to 6 areas of the body or mild pain in seven or more areas of the body.
2. Symptoms which have lasted over three months.
3. No other organic causes of the symptoms have been made.

Most people can easily tell whether they have criteria 1) and 2).

It’s part 3) of the diagnostic criteria that makes the diagnosis a hard one to determine. Your physician has to rule out other common causes of your particular constellation of symptoms, which is something only a qualified physician can do.

Call Pain Medicine Group to find out if you have fibromyalgia and what your treatment options are today!

Author

Mauna Radahd, MD