When should I call my doctor if I have fibromyalgia?

If not diagnosed - Call your doctor if you have had the following symptoms for more than 6 weeks without an obvious cause. They may be signs of fibromyalgia, especially if they have developed gradually.

• Widespread muscle tenderness and pain, particularly on both sides of the body and both above and below the waist
• Disturbed sleep (tossing, turning, waking up frequently during the night) and waking up feeling tired and unrested
• Muscle and joint stiffness that doesn't get better when you move around

If diagnosed - If you have fibromyalgia, call your doctor if you have:

• Symptoms of depression, such as a loss of interest in things you usually enjoy or changes in eating and sleeping habits. These can often be treated if you tell your doctor about them.
• New symptoms or existing symptoms get worse. Your doctor may need to reassess your treatment, such as adjust your medicines or prescribe different ones.

Who to see - Health professionals who may be able to help you with fibromyalgia include:

• Family medicine physicians.
• Internists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.

You may need to see a specialist who has experience with fibromyalgia. These include:

• Rheumatologists, who have the most experience with diagnosing fibromyalgia.
• Pain management specialists, who have experience with treatment.

Pain management programs can be helpful too. These typically include a team of doctors, counselors, physical therapists, nurses and pharmacists who can help you develop a strategy for pain management. Your personal program may include medicines, complementary therapies, diet, exercise and counseling.