fibro testing

[skarey]

I was talking to my sister in law who is a RN and she told me that Fibro can be dx'd through some sort of Hormone tests?  Is this accurate?  Does anyone know anything about this??

[PlateletGal]

Not all rhuematologists are diagnosing and treating fibromyalgia. In fact, not too long ago.... a rheumatologist was outraged because he thought that neurologists should be handling fibromyalgia patients. I have to agree with him because fibro is a CNS (central nervous system) disorder. However... most physicians only know how to treat part of the problem and order prescriptions. The fibro/CFS experts have their recommends (which are not Lyrica) listed on our health care pages.

[grendslori]

The doctor you need to see is a rhuematologist. I went to one at the University for Raynaurds. When I described my symptoms of being stiff in the morning, they did SO MUCH blood works, I think one time they drew 18 viles of blood. Everything kept coming back normal. On one of my folowing appointments, the Fellow came up to me and started pressing on my back and thighs. He then told me I had Fibromyalgia, out of the blue! The places he pressed on me were still hurting pretty bad after 5 minutes! In order to be diagnosed with Fibro you must experience pain in 11 or more of the 18 pressure points on the body. The doctor who specializes in the treatment of Fibro is the Rhuematologist. I've never heard of any hormone test that is accurate in diagnosing Fibro.

[PlateletGal]

Consider googling, "Co Cure's Good Doctor List" for a physician in your area who routinely diagnoses and treats fibromyalgia (or CFS).

[junglejim46]

Yea,
I went back to my doctor today..  She didn't want to see me much less help me.She thinks that's what I'm after--dope and i'm hypochondriac.We did have a few words.  
junglejim46

[PlateletGal]

There is a research test that can make the diagnosis, but it isn't FDA approved yet. The link is in our health pages (check out link above).... the lab that does this testing is Red Labs USA. They can also diagnose CFS using spinal fluid.

[patsy10]

To my knowledge there is no definitive test for fibro.  It is a diagnosis of exclusion when other testing has been normal.

[PlateletGal]

Hi Guys,

These are tests that fibromyalgia patients sometimes "fail" --- thyroid testing is listed. You may also want to have an A.M. cortisol level done on you as well... many CFS patients have low cortisol levels.

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Fibromyalgia/Diagnostic--Blood-Tests-to-Help-Diagnose-Fibromyalgia/show/377?cid=39

[supermomma531]

If there are any kind of tests for fibro, please let me know. I was told that fibreo is only diagnosed from as process of elimination. For three years, my old dr. told me that I had rheumatoid arthritis. I kept on going to different doctors. There were finally 3-4 dr's that said fibro. The old dr. sent me to a rheumatologist who said "your dr is treating you properly. I walked out of there not knowing what I was being treated for. He didn't seem to want to be there, let alone talking to me. They made me feel like they were treating me like a drug seeker, or a hypochondriac. Anyhow, there may be different testing for different things. Canada and the United States do things very differently from one another. I think your best bet is to keep talking to your sister in law and see if she can find out for sure. Ask your doctor. Take care.