Preparing for an appointment

Because many of the signs and symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome are similar to various other disorders, you may see several doctors before receiving a diagnosis.

What you can do

You're likely to start with a visit to your primary care doctor, who may refer you to a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating muscle and joint conditions (rheumatologist). You may get more from your appointment if you do these things beforehand:

• Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance to prepare for your evaluation.
• Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
• Make a list of your key medical information, including any other conditions for which you're being treated, and the names of any medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
• Consider questions to ask your doctor and write them down. Bring along notepaper and a pen to jot down information as your doctor addresses your questions.

For myofascial pain syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

• What are the possible causes of my symptoms?
• Is my condition temporary?
• Will I need treatment?
• What treatments are available?
• Do you have any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor or health care provider is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on.

Questions your doctor might ask include:

• What symptoms are you experiencing?
• Where do you feel the most intense area of pain?
• How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
• Do your symptoms seem to come and go, or are they persistent?
• Does anything seem to make your symptoms better?
• Does anything seem to make your symptoms worse?
• Are your symptoms worse in the morning or at any particular time of the day?
• Do you perform repetitive tasks on the job or for hobbies?
• Have you had any recent injuries?
• Does your pain cause you to limit your activities?