My mother-in-law says she has fibro but she hasnt had any tests except for blood work done by the GP. Doesnt she need to see a specialist and have it properly diagnosed? As far as im aware she just seems very depressed and is fairly stiff at times but arent we all? I just dont understand how this diagnosis has come about. She has been put on steroids. Does this make any sense to anybody? Thank you for your time.

hi sporti,
there is no difinitive test for fibro. it is an elimination process, usually blood work to rule out all other possibilities. a good family doc can diagnose it. she can spend her time and money going to a rheumatologist for confirmation if she chooses. steroids are a big step. some of us use them. i do not. weight gain and side affects stop me. i really feel for her. if she is on steroids she is in alot of pain. alot.
depression and stiffness are aspects of fibro. many here suffer horribly with the depression that can accompany fibro. as for the stiffness, imagine the worst morning stiffness you ever had and multiply it by a thousand. that is fibro. it is not fun and i doubt she would say she has it if she does not. believe me, none of us asked for this and if given a chance would gladly not have it.
hug her for me. she needs all the love and compassion you have to offer. you don't have to understand, you never will unless you have it and we don't want that. she really needs all the love and support she can get.
peace,
bluelakelady

Thank you bluelakelady for your response. I have to say that she has never mentioned being in pain and can get up and down stairs normally and walk around the shops when she feels up to going out. Her problem really seems to me to be depression hence i dont understand why she is on steroids. I have heard of people with depression being put on anti depressants and they arent told they have fibro so i just dont understand where this diagnosis has come from. Its no good trying to speak to the doctor for obvious reasons. Will just have to see how this progresses as it has now been months. Thanks again.

i can do all those things too. when the energy is there it is grand. i kayak, swim and do wee bits of dance, along with hiking. the pain comes and goes.
would your mom let you go to her doctor visit with her? does she have a thereapist for her depression?
does she say she is depressed? often the depressions is an outward expression of no sleep and pain. help that and the other is not as bad. that does not work for everyone. there are times when fibro and depression are seperate issues.
can you talk to her, ask her questions? sometimes we have to stare our mothers down to find out how they really are. my mom tells me now. she did not used to. after i had 2 strokes my mom had 2 and needed care till she could have surgery. i, being the good nurse daughter went for almost 2 months. there were moments when i had to put my foot down gently and she resisted. yet, she still will end up in the hospital for 4 days and no call from anyone cause mom said not to. she protects my sis from the calls her sis would plague sis with. leaves me out of the loop too. i have learned to respect moms wishes. it is her life.
hang in there. even moms can open up. as a mom we try to protect our families from our stuff. especially our kids. i am 51 and my mom is still protecting me from stress. gotta love her. she is a peach.
peace,
bluelakelady

I've had chronic pain and fatigue for over a year. Guess what, it's depressing!! Don't assume she doesn't have fibro. I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I think I have it. I have MANY of the symptoms along with the tender points. If she has been diagnosed with it, good for her. Not having a diagnosis is part of my depression. But I can get around fine and shop too, but I am exhausted and feel like c... most of the time.

It can't be diagnosed with blood tests.

The only test that they do for fibromyalgia--and a very ineffective one--is the tender spot test. You also have to of had pain and fatigue for more than three months.

There is nothing in a blood test that will tell you anything about fibromyalgia. Even with the tender point test, a lot of people get misdiagnosed--people WITHOUT fm have pain for different reasons, too.

But before she runs off to a rheumatologist, I'd suggest running other tests first. It's not smart to diagnose yourself with fm after only having a blood test--that's part of the whole reason for misdiagnosis. Rule everything out first.

hmmm, i wonder why she was dx so easily. maybe she can get a copy of her medical records to see what was put on them from when she started going in.
how long has her problem been going on?
as it is it is hard to get a dx for fibro and i wonder how she got the dx.
maybe her doctor sees a lot of patients with the same problem or something.
let us know,
robin

My PCP diagnosed FM based on my symptoms ( on going migratory aches and pains, tiredness, sleep problems, etc.) and neg blood test and then sent me to a rheumy for confirmation, which he did in 5 minutes. I had already done a lot of research and knew I had all the tender spots and symptoms listed.