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mri?

I heard that it is usual to get an Mri done after a diagnosis of FM..my doctor tells me however that it is only done if there is localized pain. Like checking out why one might have frozen shoulders...i on the other hand thought that it is done to rule out any other diagnosis..any answers out there?
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Avatar universal
I had an MRI done to rule out MS as a cause for my neurological symptoms.  FMS and MS are different but they can share similar symptoms.
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Avatar universal
I did have an MRI done years ago prior to my diagnosis. I believe they were trying to decide if I had a neck problem because I had numbness in both hands and a regular X-ray may have looked a little suspicious. I don't believe this had an impact on my diagnosis because other symptoms did not appear for another couple months. Physical trauma coupled with possibly bad diagnosis and improper treatment lead to my FMS. I really don't know how a MRI would be useful unless there was pain in a specific area that was difficult to diagnose with certainty. They only did the MRI of my neck and head.
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Avatar universal
Actually, an MRI should be done to rule out any other form of illness that may be causing symptoms prior to being  dx'd with FMS.  FMS should be used as a dx of exclusion and used after everything else is eliminated as a cause.

It could be that your doctor saw no evidence of anything neurological and will order one for you should this come up in the future.  My symptoms are severe, at times, and I have yet to have an MRI.  I've had this illness over 30 yrs.

Definitely, you could request one...all they can do is say they don't believe you need it and you can always get a second opinion.

Best of luck to you.
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Avatar universal
I thought the same as you, everytime I was sitting in the specialists office I would here someone mention they just got there MRI results back. I guess it just depends on the doc. I went to the specialist yesterday and told him that I was lossing strength in my arms & my neck was always sore. His response was I better get an MRI done because that is not good, he says I might have something wrong with my spine. But I have never had an MRI and I was told I have been suffering with this for 24 years but always misdiagnosed. I was first diagnosed with lupus, then hepatitis B, then rheumatoid arthritis, then just arthritis. And  a miracle happened I have none of those I have FM. I do not trust the doc's much anymore. I think it all depends on your doc, maybe you should ask to have one and see what they say.
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