Not sure what I think about this, as I know cytokines and chemokines are involved, but I can't remember the details. Either way, an interesting read, and I think I'll look into whether medicaid will cover this if done through the clinic I go to. It'd be nice to finally get past the stigmata! RA patients were pooh-poohed for years before a test was developed for that, so who knows?
It's great they have a test or might have a test to diagnose fibro but why should I pay $744 for someone to say Yup, you have Fibro but we still can't do anything to stop the pain. Sorry my pain has made me a bit negative today.
Stacey
I hear ya' Stacey. I'm looking into the cytokine thing at the moment. Skeptical of the lab that purports this at best, but then, we've learned to be skeptical though experience.
I'll post anything useful I find about the chems tested. I know cortisol (not tested with this) shows low for us. Going to see about getting that tested on the 23rd, and trying to dig up what I can before my appointment.
Point of the test, for me, is validation and proof I need for SSD, so grasping at any threads I can find and sharing anything that might be worthwhile for us!
At least this is progress, if they know where to look then maybe they can discover an effective treatment. I am very hopeful that there will be more options for us in the near future. Gentle hugs fibromyalgia family.
I discussed it with my PCP they told me medicaid wont cover it, in my state (OH) because its not accurate enough it has a big chance of being a hit and miss since fibromyalgia manifests differently in all the patients although they all have at least the same trigger points and some same symptoms, he also said that I should be worried with re-diagnosing me for a 3rd time instead I need to focus on working solutions for my symptoms.. since complete darkness and quiet helps the intensity of the flares i have maybe re learning how to meditate, and channel the pain out might shorten the time, and intensity and using besides my meds other ways to help me get real REM sleep that apparently he feels that a lack in REM sleep and stress are the major causes in the severe flares like the kind that leave me bedridden in a majority of his FMS patients .. that being said I think he might be right 3 doctors now agree that I have FMS at this point they could call it whatever they want to call it if they could make the hurting stop long enough for me to be a functioning member of society I'd chew crud stewed in liver bile
I agree with your PCP in your case, Vishq. My personal situation is that I keep having to change doctors and each one seems to spend more time trying to prove it's all in my head or something than trying to help me. I wish I could have something solid and indisputable so I can have a chance to move on from that kind of horrible treatment (which I frankly find to be abusive) to getting some actual help!
I've been diagnosed as having fibro at least 3 times, but not being able to keep the same doctor, they all want to start from square one and put me through h-e-double-hockey-sticks all over again. The only person I'd wish this on is the doctor who looked me in the eye and said I couldn't be sick at my age....
That's all short-term and personal though. The long term hope is that someday there's a test so that nobody ever again has to go through the torment we do just to get a diagnosis and proper help!
I've been too foggy and in too much pain for any research the past few days. Bad balance, and stupid me decided to try to go walking outside without my cane. Fell super hard and my hip and ankle are all swollen, and my back is an angry beast. Fibro flared with it, so now my brain's in granny gear and I feel like I got hit by a bus. I will get back to it when I'm able though, and see if I can dig up anything useful about these brain chems that the test um... tests.
Thank you so much for sharing what your PCP said about it Vishq! I really appreciate it!
Hi Natria and welcome!
Boy, I haven't heard about it for over a year now but yes, there is supposed to be a test that tells you whether or not you have fibro. Aside from the high cost, I would be concerned about taking the test, getting a negative answer, still suffering all of the symptoms of it and then being rejected for disability for the negative test result. Okay, I'm paranoid. But I thought I'd throw itt out there so you could consider that possibility as well when deciding.
Boy howdy ain't that the truth! It's horrible the abuse SSD puts us through. If a PA or NP says something that supports our case, they say they give it no weight, yet if one ignorant jerk of a PA or NP says something negative, even if it's a flat lie, they give it full weight. They're outright cruel. Folks with Rheumatoid Arthritis had to go through exactly the same kind of thing not so long ago, too. It makes me so angry to think about it. It's unconscionable! (thank you spell check! HA :) )