tender point test

It probably depends on how nice your doctor is and how much s/he believes you. Mine didn't push hard, he actually put the idea of fibro in MY head (I had never heard of it - but that was almost 20 years ago!) Hope yours isn't a jerk!

I didn't know what the doctor was doing as she did the tender point test. She said, I really want to check something... and proceded. She did it rather quickly, moderate "force" I guess. Not enough force to bruise, just enough to make you know she was there. Went from one spot to another to another, giving me no time to 'think' about each spot, I think. I had 6 or 7 spots that I flinched or said "ow" and four that stood me right up off the chair... and I'm still not diagnosed. Two others I cringed, and she actually went back to those just to check again, those spots were just tender...not painful. I dont' know how else to explain it. lol.

Good luck!

so do you have to say "ow" or jump off your chair for them to consider it a tender point? I tend to be a pretty private person but if they ask me how bad it hurts, I will tell them. I am one of those who is still not diagnosed but hope to have the tender point test done soon.

Bridget, I, too, am a very private person. Not gonna say a word. When she pressed those points, well, we both knew it. Like I said, flinching or up and out of my chair, clearly to get away from her. I was so not expecting it that I made no attempt at holding in those first few ow's. After the first two, I was relieved every time she touched me and it didn't hurt. lol.

My first rheumy pushed on a few tender points, but I was expecting it, so I controlled my reaction (just my nature) and just said, "Yeah, that hurts." Then he went around behind me and pushed on my neck/shoulder area without warning and just about sent me off the table.

Another rheumy I went to ( I just didn't like the first one) just pushed gently on the tender points, and I described my discomfort.

My husband and I played the game,"Does it hurt you when I touch you there?" (me touching him in the tp areas), and I was amazed that none of them hurt. I was like, "You mean normal people don't hurt when touched in those areas?" I now realize that ANY pain when touching the tp's is probably not normal. You shouldn't have pain with normal touching, IMO.

Hugs - Austen