Fibromyalgia can be a hard disease to get a diagnosis for since so few people understand it. But is there an easy way to find out if you might have fibromyalgia? Well, just by taking this fibromyalgia diagnosis questionnaire, you can find out if you might have fibromyalgia. And if you should go to a doctor to make sure.
Fibromyalgia Diagnosis Questionnaire
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Do you have pain in the 18 tender points?
This is where we start the fibromyalgia diagnosis questionnaire. There are 18 points of pain that are common with fibromyalgia. These include the insides and outsides of your elbows and knees, the base of your skull, your shoulders, lower back, and lower hip. Press down on these points with enough force to make your fingernail turn white. If it is tender, then it is a sign of fibromyalgia.
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Do you have constant fatigue?
Fibromyalgia makes you feel tired constantly. Part of this is because fibromyalgia patients have a hard time getting enough sleep. But part of it is the disease itself, which causes fatigue. If you constantly feel tired, you may have fibromyalgia.
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Do you have trouble concentrating?
Fibromyalgia sufferers are familiar with the term “fibro-fog,” and it describes the hard time they have concentrating on anything. If you have a hard time concentrating on simple tasks or constantly forget things, it is a sign of fibromyalgia.
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Are you depressed?
Depression is a common symptom associated with fibromyalgia. If you constantly feel depressed for no discernible reason, or if you feel like nothing matters every day, then fibromyalgia may be causing your symptoms.
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Or irritable?
Another mental condition caused by fibromyalgia is mood swings. People with a fibromyalgia diagnosis often find that their mood shifts constantly, or that they get too angry with friends or family.
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Do you have irritable bowel symptoms?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common condition for fibromyalgia sufferers. Symptoms of IBS include frequently needing to use the bathroom, an excessive passing of gas, or difficulty going once you are in the bathroom. It is also a sign that you may have fibromyalgia.
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Do your joints get stiff?
In addition to the joint pain that comes with fibromyalgia, stiffness is a common symptom. If your joints are stiff, particularly when you wake up, you may have fibromyalgia.
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Do you have a pins-and-needles feeling in your hands and feet?
You know that stinging feeling you get when you come in from the cold? If you feel that pins-and-needles sensation more than you should, it could be a sign that you have fibromyalgia.
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Is your pain worse at night?
Fibromyalgia pain often gets worse at night. That means that if your pain gets worse when you’re ready to go to sleep, it could be a criterion for a fibromyalgia diagnosis.
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Do your muscles spasm?
Fibromyalgia sufferers find that their muscles spasm from time to time. This isn’t unique to fibromyalgia but is a sign of the disease when combined with other symptoms.
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Are your muscles often sore?
Everyone’s muscles get sore after exercise. But if your muscles seem to frequently get sore without any cause, it could be a sign of fibromyalgia.
Only a doctor can tell you for sure if you have fibromyalgia, but if you have a majority of the symptoms on this fibromyalgia diagnosis questionnaire, there’s a good chance you might have the disease. You should schedule an appointment with your doctors to find out if you have an official fibromyalgia diagnosis. Just remember that fibromyalgia can be managed with support and good information.
What was your score on the fibromyalgia diagnosis questionnaire? Let us know how it works! You can find a printable form to take with you to an appointment here.
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