How should I express my concerns about fibromyalgia to my doctor?

If you have fibromyalgia, speak up and share what's really bothering you. Doctors aren't mind readers; they don't know what your concerns are if you don't tell them. If you answer "no" when your doctor asks if you have any unanswered questions or concerns, he really believes that you don't have any outstanding issues.

If you doctor asks about your concerns, open up and share them. If he doesn't ask, bring up issues yourself. You can say things like, "Before you leave, doctor, I'm really worried about..."
If you're especially worried about something, be sure to ask. For example:

• "Do you think my symptoms could be caused by cancer?"
• "My sister thinks no one can possibly have as many problems as I do and that I'm probably just making them up. What do you think?"
• "Will I still be able to work with fibromyalgia?"
• "How can I keep up with everything I need to do around the house when I'm so exhausted?"
• "I think that new medication you started me on is making me sick."