Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: I was diagnosed with FMS without have any tender points. After reading about FMS, I discovered that I really did not meet the diagnosis criteria. Is it just a guideline, or should I be seeking a second opinion? I just moved to a new area and am looking for a new specialist.

Dear Emily: I can understand your desire to seek a solution to your symptoms. If I may suggest a few points that may help - some may apply to you, some may not.

When seeking a diagnosis, the most important thing is to get your facts straight. The doctor always likes a good succinct story. When it comes to a condition that involves pain, it is important to know when it started, what relieves it, what aggravates and how the pain behaves throughout the day, week and months,  A description and location of the pain is also useful. Tell a good story, the doctor will be able to narrow down the possibilities - tell a poor story, you will subject your self to a battery of "just in case" unnecessary tests.

After the story of your symptoms is clear, it is important to develop a mutually trusting relationship with a doctor you trust.  If mutual trust does not exist, a therapeutic relationship will not develop.

I do support your desire to learn about your diagnosis but please be sure your information is coming from a reliable source. If you trust your doctor has your best interest in mind, I suggest following his advice for a period of time and reporting how the symptoms have changed with his or her advice. This will help your doctor confirm the diagnosis or consider the possibility of another diagnosis. Chronic conditions often require a period of time before they are accurately diagnosed.