I do think those tests are very important to have done and all other disease should be ruled out. I had the MRI's, VEP etc...Mine came back normal but I was still glad I had them done to rule out MS. I was sure I had it but everything was normal except for a Chiari malformation and a meningioma.
P.S. ~ I forgot to add "atypical MS" ---- this is something that the new Whittemore Peterson Research Institute has been researching and discussing. LINK:
http://www.medhelp.org/user_journals/show/40120?personal_page_id=1064
Before you get a fibromyalgia diagnosis, you should talk to your physician about ruling out other possible conditions such as:
MS
lyme disease
thyroid conditions (although most fibromyalgia patients have hypothyroidism... check out the Health Pages
depression (only if you are depressed obviously)
Lupus
rheumatoid arthritis
myositis
polymyalgia rheumatica
Chiari Malformation
Testing that I had before being diagnosed for Fibro.....is a must.......All other diseases such as M.S. need to be ruled out before making the diagnosis of Fibro.....extensive blood work, & urinalysis testing....I have never had an MRI....but in a way would have liked to but....they are really hard to get as they are rather expensive.....
The only available test they have at this time for fibromyalgia would be from reviewing your symptoms and then if you have the tender points that come with fibro. There is really no definitive test for it, but your physician would be able to detect it. We are hoping that they can come up with a procedure and researchers are working on it.
That's ok...vent all you like and we will help any way that we can. :-)
I did see a neurologist he was the one who said he beleives i have it ...because he wants me to take the vep test a mri of my spine and emg/res but i thought their was no test for fibromyalgia ..am i wrong, i thought those tests are for MS ..and which stinks is my insurance doesnt even take cymbalta ...i wish they would realize that this is A REAL DISEASE...or illness ..I LIKE TO SLAP THE HECK OUT OF MY INSURANCE COMPANY :(..so sory i had to vent that lol....
Yes, the hair is a symptom (glad to know i'm not alone Angel). I haven't heard of throat spasms being a symptoms, unless it could be caused by something gastric. I agree with kiddthekatt...seeking a neurologist would be the best way to see exactly what is going on with your body. An MRI would be able to dx many things.
Best of luck to you.
Hi Kimmie;
You can look in the health pages to the right there's a lot o info there, or google fibromyalgia symptoms. My hair also hurts, more like my scalp. I feel that things are growing out of my head at times, drives me crazy. There are so many different symptoms for fibro, and then of course the symptoms overlap with other diseases, it throws me off a lot. Have you seen a nuero doctor? It might help. I hope I was able to help you some.
gentle hugs
Angel