Until the late 1980s, women and men with fibromyalgia symptoms were routinely being called hypochondriacs and malingerers. Since then the physiological basis of fibromyalgia's widespread pain and the depression that normally accompanies it are well documented. Brain scans allow the enhanced pain activity to be seen. This validates what 10 million Americans experience, all over their bodies, each day. Excellent care for fibromyalgia starts by having high quality communication with your physician.
Step 1
Select a physician expert in fibromyalgia if you or your primary care provider suspect you have this condition. One way to find a physician expert in fibromyalgia is to ask for a consultation at a medical school's rheumatology or pain management clinic. Other sources include the American College of Rheumatology and the referral list from the National Fibromyalgia Association.
Both allopathic, M.D., and osteopathic, D.O., physicians treat fibromyalgia and there are differences in their approaches. If you want to integrate complementary and alternative treatment, consulting with a D.O. may mean greater support for these options.
Step 2
Prepare for the appointment by documenting your own medical history and family history. There are free forms for this purpose online, and doing it at home is more accurate and relaxed. Next write a concise three-paragraph summary of the history of your pain and depression symptoms, what you have tried to do to relieve them in the past and how effective or ineffective these attempts have been.
A seven-day chart outlining your pain, depression, treatments, sleep times and events of the day is extraordinarily helpful in diagnosing fibromyalgia. Use one-word descriptions for your pain or a scale of 1 to 10 to rate your pain and one-word descriptions of your mood at several times each of these seven days so that you and the physician can see patterns.
Finally, make a list of your medications including who prescribed the drug, what it was prescribed for, the dose, the schedule and any problems you have with the medication. Include over-the-counter medications and all supplements as well as medications that have been prescribed which you have chosen not to take or have discontinued.
Send all of these forms to the office of the physician a week before your appointment and make a copy to have with you in case they are lost. This procedure may make diagnosis possible at the first visit, saving you time and money.
Step 3
Read high quality literature on fibromyalgia before your appointment. Websites bearing the "Health on the Net," or HON, logo are peer-reviewed and deemed trustworthy by medical professionals. Use the information your learn to help you formulate a series of five questions you want to have addressed at the first visit. At the visit, let the doctor know you have prepared a written list of just five questions to cover during this visit. Hand her one copy of the list and have a copy for yourself.
Step 4
Go home after the appointment and write three goals for improving your health. Note what you want to achieve, specific actions you need to take in a step-by-step manner, any roadblocks you may face and a plan to prevent or overcome them. Record your progress and take this to your next appointment .
Tips and Warnings
- Be open to the fact that fibromyalgia may not be your correct diagnosis or that it may not be your only diagnosis.
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