What kind of doctor and tests do you need for this? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

lucylucy · 07-22-2009, 04:26 PM

What kind of doctor specializes in this, and what tests do you need?

I'm finally starting to come to terms with the idea that I MIGHT have fibromyalgia. I normally face things head on, but I've actively avoided learning more about this disease. Most of my friends know I have depression, but for some reason I don't want to talk about this. Maybe because so many people think it's not real. I haven't had a frank discussion with my doctor yet, but I tentatively brought it up once, and I got the impression it's not something he knows a lot about (or believes).

I saw a chiropractor today for a sore neck and recurring migraines. He mentioned I have many trigger points, and asked if I have fibromyalgia. I've had trigger points in my legs for years, and treatment by a PT didn't help very much. I have spots a few spots in my chest and arms that might be tender points too.

I read once that fluctuations in vision could also be a symptom. During my last vision exam it changed significantly in only 10 minutes. The doctor blamed the machinery. I suspected it was due to migraines, but now I'm not so sure because I didn't have any blank spots like I usually do with a migraine. My vision changes so much now, I have 4 different strengths of reading glasses.

I need to take my head out of the sand and learn more about this disease.

Ishla · 07-24-2009, 07:13 AM

Hey Lucylucy,
The doctor that is most common for and has the most knowledge about fibromyalgia is a rheumatologist, however there is a growing number of family practitioners who are starting to see and understand that fibro is actually something wrong and not just a wastebasket diagnosis. Your chiro seems to be one of those who have some interest and understanding.... this chiro doc has also given you a lead in to bring this up to your doctor... you can mention what the chiro doc said about your trigger points and that you are interested in seeing if there is something to this. If your doc is amiable, see if you can get a referal to a rheumy and go from there. My regular doc is treating me as a "maintenance" patient. I also have hypothyroid and others that he treats and keeps an eye on with blood labs each visit, but he refered me to a rheumetologist for confirmation on my diagnosis.
Generally, fibro is detected by having 11 of the 18 known trigger points, generalized fatigue, generalized chronic pain that lasts for more than 3 months, and a host of other unexplained symptoms... like eye trouble and migraines. I hope this helps you.

lucylucy · 07-28-2009, 10:05 PM

Thanks Ishla. Would a rheumatologist also handle autoimmune disorders? For years doctors (and even a dentist) have mentioned autoimmune as a possible explanation for weird symptoms. I noticed on my lab slip that my doctor is once again ordering a lupus test. (It always comes back negative, but every doctor orders it anyway).

I had a brain MRI today because the last migraine lasted much much longer than usual. I doubt it will show anything. They're usually completely normal. I used to secretly wish that a test will show something that is clearly wrong. (Until one actually did!) I hate having all these conditions that they can only diagnose after ruling out everything else. Irritable Bowel, fibromyalgia, autoimmune, etc.

Ishla · 07-31-2009, 05:39 AM

Yes, a rheumetologist is best known as the "arthritis" doctor. Arthritis is probably the best known autoimmune disease. But then, fibro is gaining ground. It is still a wastebasket diagnosis and there are a lot of doctors just throwing the diagnosis around, but real information is starting to come about because of the interest in it. Look into vitamin deficiency as well. I, and a host of other fibro patients are deficient in Vit. D. Lack of which can result in pain problems. B-12 is also a contributer if deficient, and also can result in fatigue if your levels are too low. There are also several minerals (sorry, can't ever remember their names) that help fibro patients.
Hope this helps.