Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Is Fibromyalgia Diagnosed?
Question: Hi Docs I am XXXX, I had a motorcycle accident 15 years ago and was reasonably traumatised and think I may be suffering fibromyalgia. How can I get it diagnosed and as Im now 55 Im having trouble exercising with multiple muscular skeletal ijuries , I believe pregabalin is used in the US . Narcotics have no real effect and I don't want to take anymore iburufon. Any suggestions as my best approach to this condition. I have just moved to a cooler climate and find moving around very difficult
Brief Answer:
Fibromyalgia
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
Well, Fibromyalgia is a difficult diagnosis to conclude, rather it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion.
Firstly for us to diagnose Fibromyalgia, we need to rule out the other causes like Thyroid disorder, Vitamin D Deficiency and Vitamin B 12 deficiency along with any muscle inflammation.( CPK levels). I hope they have done these for you. Once everything is normal and you have multiple tender points, along with other symptoms of decreased sleep, irritability, muscle aches and forgetfulness, it is enough to conclude the disease.
As an approach to the management it is very complex. I would try to put it forward in the simpler terms:Both medical and non medical ways have to go together
1. You need to de stress yourself, meditation( yoga) is a good alternative to that. IT will help you cope up with daily activities.
2. REgulate your sleeping hours.. A good sleep of 6 hours is a must
3. Try to exercise daily. Initially the pain will be quite some but as you keep doing it, it will get better.
4. Try to Develop your hobby. It will help deviate your mind
5. Last comes the medical management: Pregalin is a good drug but still not the first line for Fibromyalgia. Duloxetine or Amitryptilline are considered the better options and they have known to work well. You can consult your GP regarding the same and maybe switch to one of these 2 drugs. Ibuprofen is not a good option to be taken on long term basis
Lastly, hydrotherapy has come up as an important aspect of management in UK. If it s available around there you can try it as well
Hope the information was useful. Do let me know for more queries
Would be happy to help ouy
Regards
Dr Naval
Fibromyalgia
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
Well, Fibromyalgia is a difficult diagnosis to conclude, rather it is considered a diagnosis of exclusion.
Firstly for us to diagnose Fibromyalgia, we need to rule out the other causes like Thyroid disorder, Vitamin D Deficiency and Vitamin B 12 deficiency along with any muscle inflammation.( CPK levels). I hope they have done these for you. Once everything is normal and you have multiple tender points, along with other symptoms of decreased sleep, irritability, muscle aches and forgetfulness, it is enough to conclude the disease.
As an approach to the management it is very complex. I would try to put it forward in the simpler terms:Both medical and non medical ways have to go together
1. You need to de stress yourself, meditation( yoga) is a good alternative to that. IT will help you cope up with daily activities.
2. REgulate your sleeping hours.. A good sleep of 6 hours is a must
3. Try to exercise daily. Initially the pain will be quite some but as you keep doing it, it will get better.
4. Try to Develop your hobby. It will help deviate your mind
5. Last comes the medical management: Pregalin is a good drug but still not the first line for Fibromyalgia. Duloxetine or Amitryptilline are considered the better options and they have known to work well. You can consult your GP regarding the same and maybe switch to one of these 2 drugs. Ibuprofen is not a good option to be taken on long term basis
Lastly, hydrotherapy has come up as an important aspect of management in UK. If it s available around there you can try it as well
Hope the information was useful. Do let me know for more queries
Would be happy to help ouy
Regards
Dr Naval
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
