How was your fibromyalgia diagonised?

PowerOn

I got some of my medical notes which states, "this lady has a fibromyalgia type illness" the gp had said to me I have fibromyalgia.
Am just wondering what tests gps did with others to say they had fibromyalgia.
I read they test 18 different points for more tenderness then a non fibromyalgia person would have, he did not do that.
Interesting to note that some of the places I had been complaining about were sore due to a then un noticed birth defect which was causing OA in my leg joints.
Not asking how fibromyalgia is diagnosed but am wondering if GPs say a person has a fibromyalgia type illness when they don't know what is wrong.
Did anyone here get tested on the 18 tender points or any other recognised way of diagnosis?

deedeeitsme

Hi there....I was told I had fibro by a rheumatologist but I ,like you, suspect that it has just been said because they don't know what the problem is. My first rheumy appointmaent went well, had xrays of pelvis (this is where most pain was) and was told I had sacroillitis, some sclerosis and other irregularities (all visible on xray) and he made an appointment to have an mri. Had mri and went back for rheumy appointment but had to see a different one because my previous one had gone to work abroad and all the evidence from the previous xrays was just ignored, the mri came back showing no inflammation so everything was ok according to her so I asked her what she thought the problem was and she said fibro, signed the discharge papers and sent me on my way. I have since been for a second opinion at a different hospital and am still under investigation because they had not received the xray and mri from the previous hospital. I have also been refered to a podiatrist now because my toes have decided not to bend anymore. If you're in any doubt about your diagnosis then question it and kick up a fuss to try and get some answers, I have and its seems to be getting me somewhere all be it slowly. Good luck with getting answers but please bear in mind it all takes time x Dee x

PowerOn

Hi Dee,

Thank you for your reply.
I have learned from this site that medical records often do not get sent on to the person who should have them and sometimes if they get there the person does not read them, I insisted on my last GP appointment that what I was telling her was exactly what the ENT specialist had told me. GP denied what I said, saying there was nothing about it in the report, she then read the report in front of me and said, "Oh, it's here but it doesn't mean anything" I have an appointment with a different GP soon.
I knew I was right because I had paid £40 to get my hospital records, the GP is being stubborn about my getting my GP notes but I will get them.
I will also get answers to a lot of questions at my next visit, the GP I am seeing this time is sensible and often sorts out mess made by others.
Have you tried getting your records? I had some of mine within two weeks, the ones where the podiatrist said nothing was wrong disappeared as have others!
I had to see a podiatrist due to toes that would not bend, the first podiatrist told me I was, "just born that way" and I went home. The pains in my legs and feet got really bad so I insisted on a second opinion and was found to have a birth defect, rear foot varus.
It is not nasty if caught in time, insoles cure the problem but walking because doctors told me it was good for me has done a lot of damage, if the podiatrist tells you there is nothing wrong, listen to your body and ask for a second opinion.
Interesting thing I have to ask the doctor re diagnosing, he told me I had Cellulitis when I had extreme pain in my shins but gave no advice other then "walk through the pain and walk more" shin splints can be caused by R.F.V.
You didn't have the 18 points test either?
I do have a lot of the symptoms of fibromyalgia but I would like a proper diagnosis not just made to feel I have been given a name so I will stop asking questions.
I hope you get sorted soon.