I have been told, that by and large the 18 tender points are falling into some disfavour and don't tend to be used for diagnosing Fibro now. Some may still do it. I will see what the Rheumatolgist cum Fibro specialist says about this next week when I have a consultation.

There are some more equivocal tests which currently tend to be only done for research purposes rather than diagnostic purposes and these are lumbar puncture for some compound in the CSF and also functional PET scans which are showing some promise....however they are all still a bit pie in the sky! At least research is happening!

Yes Daniella, my questions may seems somewhat more like statements rather than questions which I am throwing out to the universe, as I myself am relatively befuddled as to whether all my symptoms are in fact explained by Fibromyalgia or whether there is other pathology going on - the chicken and the egg so to speak!

I know that my very brilliant Endocrinologist says that 'Fibromyalgia' is a REAL condition and that my symptoms are very valid. She doesn't think the jury is still out on the condition actually existing, just on causes, clear diagnostics and treatment - LOL!!