developing inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as higher rates of depression. Depending on what’s bothering you, the doctor may need to treat those separately.
How The Disease Is Diagnosed
There has been a lot of progress in how fibromyalgia is diagnosed but your doctor will still need to rule out other illnesses that can cause similar symptoms.
To rule them out, you may need to undergo blood tests such as the complete blood count, rheumatoid factor, thyroid function tests, Vitamin D levels, celiac serology, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and cyclic citrullinated peptide test.
Your level of pain will also be key in getting a diagnosis. If you’ve been experiencing widespread discomfort for three months or more, your doctor will conduct a more thorough exam.
This exam entails checking four different areas of the body for chronic pain. Among the areas the doctor will check are your shoulders, arms, jaw, hips, legs, neck, and back.
Typical Treatment Options For Fibromyalgia
Since this is a chronic condition, your doctor will aim to reduce the symptoms as much as possible. Your management program may include pain relievers, anti-seizure medications, as well as antidepressants. Bear in mind that it can take some time to determine the right mix of medications for you. These may also change over time if you’re no longer responding to the ones you’ve been prescribed.
In addition to medication, physical or occupational therapy may help with pain management as well as stiffness. People who are having trouble coping with their illness may also benefit from counseling. There is a growing support group for those with fibromyalgia so it helps to reach out to one of those too.
Fibromyalgia tends to affect African Americans slightly more than other ethnicities. This is especially true for women. If you’re experiencing symptoms of the disease, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible so you can start managing them.