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An estimated 1 million Canadians suffer from fibromyalgia, affecting women 6-9 times more than men. Typically, fibromyalgia patients can experience symptoms for three to five years before they receive a diagnosis. Patients may initially go to a primary care physician for treatment of their symptoms. Although the main symptom is pain, fibromyalgia is a difficult diagnosis to make, especially for a doctor who is not a fibromyalgia specialist. A process of elimination may help to rule out other diseases and conditions that cause similar symptoms. The best doctors to treat your symptoms are fibromyalgia specialists. These doctors are knowledgeable and trained in conducting the necessary tests, making proper diagnoses, prescribing medication and recommending fibromyalgia treatments. Fibromyalgia specialists can be internists, rheumatologists, neurologists, orthopedists, pain management specialists or psychologists. A physical examination and a review of the patient’s medical history, symptoms, prior test results and treatments can assist a doctor in finding a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. A new blood test, FM/a, identifies common markers in the immune system's blood cells of people with fibromyalgia, however insurance does not generally cover costs of new tests. At $744, the cost may not be feasible for the majority of patients. If this new test is not an option, fibromyalgia specialists can still diagnose and treat fibromyalgia symptoms. Chronic widespread pain for at least three months, pain above and below the waist and pain on both sides of the body are common fibromyalgia symptoms. Other symptoms are stiffness, sleep difficulties, anxiety, depression, migraines and headaches, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, sensitivity to cold and heat and sensitivity to light and odors. Neurologists treat migraines and headaches, which are also fibromyalgia symptoms and those who specialize in fibromyalgia treat patients with symptoms due to changes in the central nervous system. Fibromyalgia specialists who are rheumatologists also treat arthritis, disorders of the joint, muscles, bones and autoimmune disorders, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. People with fibromyalgia may have some of these associated symptoms. Internists are also knowledgeable in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases, and as fibromyalgia specialists, they can treat symptoms of the whole body. A specialist may recommend one of the three drugs used to treat fibromyalgia, Cymbalta, Lyrica or Savella. Painkillers, antidepressants or muscle relaxants can also be used for fibromyalgia treatment. Drugs like Neurontin, although not originally intended to treat fibromyalgia, provide relief of some fibromyalgia symptoms. Physical therapy, massage therapy and psychotherapy are other fibromyalgia treatment options. A fibromyalgia specialist will discuss the treatment best suited for the patient and any treatment side effects.
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