How is Fybromyalgia Diagnosed???

[Lisa__0__0]

  Hi...Ive never posted on your Forum, but have gained much knowledge from reading the posts and your answers.
  I was reading one of the articles that MedHelp has on fibromyalgia and I still have a couple questions.
  If I am not mistaken, it said that there are no x-rays or diagnostic testings that can help to diagnose fibro.  But, it mentioned that a doctor can look for multiple tenderpoints in characteristic locations.
  Pardon my ignorance, but isnt one of the major problems of fibro that everything hurts?  I have not been diagnosed, and havent really looked into  seeing the right doctor for my symptoms, I guess Im afraid of hearing what could possibly be wrong.
  Im a 33 yr old female, I have severe fatigue, my whole body continuously aches like I have the flu.  My back, and abdomen hurt more than anything.  I have major headaches, anxiety, some depression (maybe from being tired), I have bladder problems (urine retention) and constipation.  i wake up feeling exhausted, no matter how long I sleep for.  Dizzyness, occassional falls, calf cramps, muscle cramps, and an overall body ache.
  I guess my questions are how is fibromyalgia diagnosed...what are the characterized locations of multiple tenderpoints?
  Also, at what point is it determined that a person has Chronic Fatigue?
  Thanks in advance for your help and for your service.
  Lisa
Dear Lisa,
Fibromyalgia is a condition in which the pathologic basis remains obscure.  Only some clinical facts exist.  During the first movements after a period of inactivity, a muscle or a group of muscles become tender, particularly after exposure to cold, dampness, or minor trauma, but often for no reasons that can be discerned.  The neck and shoulders are the most frequent sites.  Sometimes, firm, tender spots, up to several millimeters, can be palpated within the muscle, and active contraction or passive stretching of the involved muscle increases the pain.  Symptoms such as mental and physical fatigue, insomnia, giddiness, and headaches are frequently associated and raise the suspicion of an anxiety or depressive state.  Often the condition clears up in a few weeks; local head and massage and local injections of anesthetics or steroids are found to give comfort while symptoms are present.  Some patients with the syndrome are often chronically fatigued and depressed, and it is not possible to determine if the depression is the cause or the result of the chronic pain.  From this the poorly described chronic fatigue syndrome evolves.  I hope this information helps.  If ever you are interested in getting an evaluation at CCF call 1-800-CCF_CARE.  Good luck.