Blood test

Hi Marilyn, I guess it depends on what they checked for. If they were checking for things like lupus, or lyme it would be normal for someone with fibro to come back normal. Usually that is where they determine it is fibro because that is about all thats left. I do know that alot of us with fibro are low on vitamin D but I dont think that is necessary either to be diagnosed with fibro. I hope you get answers soon.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley

Hi Marilyn,

I don't know what blood work you are referring to exactly, but generally therein lies one of the many problems with Fibro. There is no blood test, xray, MRI, or CT Scan that leads to the Fibro diagnosis. It's actual having all the tests run come up negative that leads to the Fibro diagnosis. In order to ensure that it is Fibromyalgia the Drs have to rule out everything it is not. Because so many of the symptoms overlap other diseases and conditions ALL of them need to be ruled out first. Many, if not all, of us that have been diagnosed have been tested for MS, autoimmune diseases, lyme, muscular degenerative diseases, neurological causes, pinched nerves and the list goes on and on... Some people just have the Fibro and others have other diseases along with the Fibro. I went through MONTHS of intensive testing - xrays and scans, heart tests, neurological tests, blood work looking for any familial diseases as well as HIV, lyme, autoimmune, (to name a few) even genetic testing! I was literally the human pin cushion getting 4 - 5 vials of blood taken every 2 weeks looking for more possible explanations to my symptoms.

Fibromyalgia is a very tricky thing. It might be beneficial for you to check out the Fibro 101 thread. There is a lot of helpful information about things to get tested for and rule out and diseases with similar symptoms. Even though I was diagnosed 4 years ago it seems that there is something else going on now and I am having to undergo many of the same tests again. Because there isn't a test to do to check and make sure it's just my Fibro acting up. So again, I'm having to go and rule out things all over again.

I believe they are in the process of chaning the diagnostic criteria for Fibro, but when I was diagnosed it was a requirement that you have chronic pain for at least 3 months, pain in all 4 quadrants of the body and 11 of the 18 specified tender points. My internist first diagnosed me, I had 13 out of the 18 tender points when she did her exam. I then went to a rheumatologist for the "official diagnosis" and he found 16 out of the 18 tender points. Either way, I definitely had it. Before the diagnosis my Dr. was very hesitant to treat me with anything for fear that it would mask symptoms and mislead our search for an answer.

I think once your Dr. rules everything out then they will discuss treatment options for the Fibro. Unfortunately in the mean time, yes suffering seems to be part of the package. It is usually a long process until diagnosis. Thankfully, mine only took about 8 months. Others on this forum had been searching for answers for years! Now that Fibro is more widely recognized by the medical community it seems that it no longer takes as long for a diagnosis.

Good luck and hang in there!

Thank you all for your input!!! I see my Dc. Feb. 4th and will post what he comes up with.
Thank you again!!