Fibromyalgia criteria

What is the most recent guidelines suggested for fibromyalgia? Some doctors mention 18 tender points, while some websites mention 19 tender points.

Personally, I don't trust those doctors who only focus on tender points. I have unexplained widespread pain all over my body, fatigue, dry eye/mouth, cognitive difficulties, etc, for over 20 years, which I believe are typical fibro symptoms. However, I don't react when a doctor presses those tender points like "Ouch!" Is that how most fibro patients react? My doctor goes, "Hmmm.... are you sure you don't feel any pain by this?" It is not that I don't feel any pain. I'm always hurting all over. Sometimes it even feels good when being pressed, like I'm getting massage. I feel my doctor doesn't know what he is doing or saying. Does anyone have similar experiences?

Hi, Senikintsu, and welcome! I don't think the tender point exam is being used as part of the criteria for diagnosis of Fibro like it was in the past. This is relatively new so probably many doctors don't realize this. It's not really accurate because some days we are better than other days. Plus, in my case, I use ibuprofen and that will make areas less painful. I still have a few spots where the tender points are tender but they are not extremely painful when pushed. It just feels like a bad bruise to me.

Here is a link from the Mayo Clinic that describes how Fibro is diagnosed now and lists the new criteria

www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibromyalgia/in-depth/fibromyalgia-symptoms/art-20045401

Be sure to check out Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about Fibro and you will learn a lot there. Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explantation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine [\blue]