What should I do if I think I have fibromyalgia?

Firstly, you are not alone and there are many that have started this journey before you. There will be people that you can get information, tips, and advice from that may help you. There is peer to peer support available within our communities and support groups that you can engage with. 

The diagnosis of fibromyalgia can take 2 years or more to be diagnosed and can be complex with having to rule out other conditions that present with similar symptoms. If you have any of the 4 core symptoms mentioned here or if you are not feeling right then please contact your GP and talk to them. 

It is hard to pinpoint where fibromyalgia may begin. Some people looking back can highlight a piece of trauma that their fibromyalgia may be connected to, like a car crash or an operation. Often people will go to their GP with complaints about pain that may initially be localised to an area, or it could be the non-refreshing sleep. The time it takes to be diagnosed can be frustratingly long, with visits to many health professionals. Your health team may need to carry out various tests and explore other conditions before coming to a diagnosis.

Most people who have unexplained symptoms will not have fibromyalgia, but you should consult your GP.

Why is Fibromyalgia difficult to diagnose?

Diagnosis of fibromyalgia is challenging to diagnose for a number of reasons, and not least that the symptoms can be present in many other conditions. Symptoms also vary, and there can be a number of them, and they can fluctuate as well. A patient can have difficulty trying to describe all that is going on to their health professional. Sometimes this can result in an information overload for the health professional. Short appointments can also add to the difficulty, and patients may be diagnosed incorrectly with alternative conditions and only receive a diagnosis after years of delay. Conversely, it is also possible to be misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia for the same reason.

Your health professional can be your best asset in your fibromyalgia journey, especially if they work as your partner, helping you to navigate while listening to your contributions. Their confidence level in fibromyalgia can make the difference between them being able to diagnose or help you. This does make them a bad health professional and if they learn from you, they can become more confident and helpful.