The American College of Rheumatology, a national organization of physicians who specialize in treating the syndrome, has published criteria for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. The material includes specific symptoms and signs on physical examination. Unfortunately, there is no specific blood test or x-ray study to confirm this diagnosis. However, if your doctor suspects you have fibromyalgia, she may order blood tests and other studies to rule out conditions that can cause similar symptoms such as thyroid disease. At this point, there is no known cure for fibromyalgia.
Treatment is aimed at improving poor quality sleep and relieving pain.
Many patients respond to a group of medications called tricyclic antidepressants at low doses. The mainstay of treatment, however, is non-pharmacologic therapy with education about the condition, reassurance, a healthy diet, stress reduction, and routine exercise. In my practice, I recommend 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise such as swimming, water aerobics, walking, or bike riding every other day with good long-term results for improving sleep and reducing pain. It is important to continue the program over a number of weeks to see the benefits. A number of alternative therapies for fibromyalgia, such as malic acid with magnesium and evening primrose oil, have been mentioned in case reports and other studies.