Just diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Who else out there has it? How long did it take you to get diagnosed?

I have had symptoms for about 4 years now, but was just diagnosed. I am very young, 25, so I think that might have been a reason no doctors took me seriously. I think all the Dr's just thought I wanted pills, but that was not the case. Anyway, how long did it take for you to get a diagnoses? How long did you suffer before being able to obtain treatment for the debilitating pain?

I thought it was kind of weird that it only tok my new doctor 10 minutes to diagnose me though... All he did was push on the trigger points and he diagnosed me. How did your Dr. diagnose you? Other Dr's have seen me for this before and I have had MRI's and Xray's and all sorts of blood tests, but tey never found anything.

Also, all I have for treatment is Lyrica and Vicodin. I don't want to get hooked on pills, but I can't get through the day without at least one vicodin. But I put off taking it til the pain is so bad I can barely move... What is your pain relief regimine?

I've had symptoms since I was 11, now I'm 18 and just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. So you're not that young.

I was told it was growing pains, all in my head, injuries etc.. I went to more than 10 different physiotherapists, 4 different specialists and more GPs that I can remember and coming from a family of doctors it took 7 years for a diagnosis.

I live in New Zealand and lyrica isn't available here. I asked my doctor and she'd never heard of it. I'm on Elavil which does nothing.

I was eventually referred to a Rheumatologist who diagnosed me. I've had bone scans, MRI, xrays, blood tests.. everything.

The only thing I can do is sleep and take hot showers.

I also have chronic fatigue, restless leg syndrome, raynaud's and now also possibly lupus.

...

I was diagnosed with migraines and hypothyriodism before getting a fibromyalgia diagnosis too. I was also around 25. One of my doctors finally checked my trigger points when I mentioned that a lot of my symptoms matched. I take Naproxen and cyclobenzaprine as needed. I have been worse and was on Fioricet for a while. Be sure to do gentle exercise, eat right, and get plenty of sleep.

From the time I started seeking treatment it was probably a couple years before I got diagnosed-in the mean time beign treated for conditions I di dnot have.....

FYI-it is TENDERPOINTS in Fibromylagia-not Triggerpoints--they are 2 different things

trigger points cause pain elsewhere-it is a different condition

tender points cause pain where they are pressed

You try alternative medicine like acupucture. I know this is NOT a made up psychological disorder but going to a therapist to help you with relaxation techniques and other pain management really helps. Good Luck!

My mom has fibro, and she was diagnosed a few years ago. She thought her pain was stress related, but when she went to see the family doctor, he did the same thing with the pressure points.

See, fibro is in the muscle, ligaments and joints. It hurts all over. Getting the blood tests and MRIs and everything else won't show anything, except normality because there is no specific way of diagnoising it.

My mom takes her medications everyday...I don't know what they are exactly, but she's been on them for a while...She's not dependent on them and there are still days that she takes them and her fibro flares up and she's sore all over. I definately suggest following your doctor's orders. **After reading the first answer, I remembered my mom is on Naproxen as well

If you're concerned about becomind dependent on these pills, take to your doctor about them. There are alternatives, but because of how fibro is in the body...don't do anything without consulting your doctor. Its not a good idea.

If your doctor sais to take your meds once a day, do it. Don't wait until you can't move...take them when you're supposed.

I was finally diagnosed when I was 21 and it took about 2-3 years to get that diagnosis. I went through the x-rays, blood tests, MRI, CT scan and no results... but unfortunately that's the process for diagnosing Fibromyalgia, ruling out other conditions. I was on so many pills before and now all I take is antidepressants and some over the counter pain pills. The absolute best thing I have found is massage therapy to minimize pain and I have had the best relief from the headaches. For relief of fibro fog, try doing crossword puzzles/sudoku regularly to keep the brain active and stimulated.

I first went to MD with symptoms when I was 25-26. They diagnosed me with Rheumatoid arthritis. Though my only elevated blood test was my sedimentation rate & some swelling & soreness.

Then I got depressed about 9 years later!! & the psychiatrist was the 1 who diagnosed me with fibromyalgia , hypothyroidism & insomnia.. I also had IBS. He diagnosed me by history, my other conditions & my trigger points.

Sometimes I take extra Naprosyn & Tylenol Extra strength Rapid Release Caplet.

Please don't be concerned about getting "hooked on pills".
In a pain syndrome, taking pain pills isn't the same as being addicted. You're not taking it to get high & you take it as prescribed. You must take meds as prescribed & not wait till you can barely move, otherwise you have to wait much longer till you get your pain under control again.

My MD put me on antidepressants & muscle relaxants.
I take Wellbutrin XL, Effexor XR, Klonipin & Naprosyn. Synthroid & Cytomel for my hypothyroidism.

I've heard Lyrica is supposed to be good for pain syndromes.
I'll have to speak to my MD about it.

Good luck to you.

I don't have fibromyalgia, nor do I have any family members suffering from it. However, as a massage therapist, I would highly recommend massage therapy as a treatment. It can be covered by your insurance (if you have it). Your doctor can refer to a local therapist.

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, just call your carrier and ask what the limits for Massage Therapy are so you know where you stand.

Information on how massage therapy works for people suffering from fibromyalgia is linked below.

Good luck to you!