Symptoms and Diagnosis

About 10 million Americans have fibromyalgia, which is characterized by painful, tender points along the body; fatigue; and sleeplessness. Unfortunately, people with fibromyalgia are more likely to have certain other conditions too.   View slideshow

Fibromyalgia can feel different for everyone, which is part of the reason it’s so difficult to diagnose. There is no blood test for the condition, and doctors essentially use a process of elimination before settling on a fibromyalgia diagnosis.   View slideshow

These 18 points (9 pairs) tend to be painful when pressed, and may spread pain to other body parts.   View slideshow

• The Newest Understanding of Fibromyalgia

• How Fibromyalgia Is Diagnosed

  Watch a video on fibromyalgia symptoms

Many factors contribute to that delay. Fibromyalgia patients can look the picture of health, despite their significant pain, and there's no specific known cause. For doctors, that translates into the frustrating reality that there's no objective diagnostic lab tests they can do. A fibromyalgia diagnosis is based on the patient's description of symptoms.  Read More

On top of their daily struggle with pain, fibromyalgia patients are sometimes forced to fight another battle—convincing doctors, friends, coworkers, and others that their condition is real and that their pain is not all in their head.  Read More

Everyone experiences pain occasionally—and then there are people with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder whose often debilitating symptoms overlap with other diseases. So where does your pain fit in? This guide will help.   View slideshow