Hi Trish,
I have had FB pains for as long as I can remember, but was only diagnosed last month by a Physiatrist or Rehabilitation Therapist. Since then, my PCP and the Rheumatologist he referred me to have both kind of brushed it (the diagnosis) off but ordered blood tests to eliminate any other diagnosis. Instead of going through endless MRIs, CAT scans, blood tests and almost a spinal tap for twenty years, wouldn't it be nice for us to be able to just take ONE blood test and get a diagnosis?
However, I personally would not pay that much money for a test that is in its preliminary phase. So far, the people at EpicGenetics, who have a sound Advisory Board, have only done one 18-month study with 200 people. Although is was very promising, and by FDA standards, waiting until more studies were done would be the best decision. Who is to say that our doctors would accept the results? However, the results are based on the fact that FM patients have lower levels of cytokines than the general public. If you look up "cytokines" you will see that there are some research studies linking it to neuropathic pain even though it is part of the immune system.
If this becomes an accepted blood test for FM it could mean a step in the right direction for all of us and it would show that FM is actually an Immune-deficiency disease after all.