Finding a Fibromyalgia Doctor

doctor taking man's blood pressure

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When you're looking for a fibromyalgia (FMS) doctor, be prepared to spend some time searching. This is a complicated condition that is different in every patient.

How is it complicated? It doesn't show up in conventional medical tests, the pain comes and goes and can move around the body in a seemingly random way, and a vast number of symptoms may appear to be so unrelated that you don't realize they have the same cause. Who would think their nasal congestion and skin problems were related to severe abdominal pain?﻿﻿

On top of all that, not all health-care providers are up to speed with the latest developments on FMS. Doctors specialize for a reason, and that's because the human body is too complex for anyone to be educated on everything that can go wrong with it.

Also, it's important to note that—while this is becoming less common—some doctors still have the opinion that FMS is "all in your head" and not a real illness at all. That's why it's important for you to find a specialist.

Over the past several years, research has shown that FMS is linked to hypersensitivity of the central nervous system (generally called "central sensitization").﻿﻿ However, people were reporting symptoms to doctors long before anyone knew what caused them. Because symptoms are similar to those of several rheumatic illnesses, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatologists became most familiar with the condition.

Then, in 1990, the American College of Rheumatology established the first diagnostic criteria for FMS. A rheumatologist can test you for other rheumatic diseases with similar signs and symptoms, give you a credible diagnosis and help manage your treatment.

Not only does it make good medical sense to see a rheumatologist, it makes good legal sense, too. If someday you have to quit working because of your illness, you'll have a better chance of getting Social Security disability if you've been diagnosed by a rheumatologist.

Finding a Rheumatologist

You have a lot of resources at your disposal for finding a rheumatologist.

If you have a family doctor or primary care provider, you can ask who he or she would recommend. (Depending on your insurance plan, you may need a referral.) In addition, you can check with area clinics and hospitals to see if they have referral services, check your insurance company's list of providers, and talk to friends and family. If you see a physical therapist, massage therapist, or chiropractor, you can ask for a recommendation.

Additionally, you can search online for a doctor in your area at the following sites:

Once you have the names of rheumatologists practicing in your area, you may want to do a little more investigating. Here's a list of questions you may want to ask:

  • How much experience does the doctor have with FMS?
  • How long will you have to wait to get an appointment?
  • If you call with a problem or question, will you get to talk to the doctor?
  • Does the doctor use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment?​

You'll also want to find out whether the doctor is accepting new patients if the office will accept your insurance (and vice versa) and whether payment or co-pays are due at the time of your appointment.

Meet With the Doctor

Once you've come up with a short list of rheumatologists, you might want to consider a "get acquainted" appointment where you can meet the doctor face to face, ask more questions and get a feel for whether this is someone you'd like to work with. Managing FMS requires teamwork between the doctor and patient, so it's important for you to have a positive relationship. If it's not possible to meet this way, treat your first appointment in the same way so you can decide whether this rheumatologist is a good fit for you.

Other Doctors to Consider

Research over the past few years has shown that FMS is a neurological condition. Some neurologists have begun treating it, but not all of them do.

Some general practitioners have seen it enough people with FMS to be familiar with diagnosing and treating it, so ask yours if he/she is comfortable treating it (assuming, of course, that you're comfortable with that).

Physiatrists also are becoming more popular among people with the condition. Physiatrists specialize in rehabilitation and restoring physical function.

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Article Sources
  1. Hulens M, Rasschaert R, Vansant G, Stalmans I, Bruyninckx F, Dankaerts W. The link between idiopathic intracranial hypertension, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome: exploration of a shared pathophysiologyJ Pain Res. 2018;11:3129–3140. doi:10.2147/JPR.S186878

  2. Woolf CJ. Central sensitization: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of painPain. 2011;152(3 Suppl):S2–S15. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2010.09.030

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