The best medical treatment requires a strong partnership between you, the patient, and the doctor, the expert. When it comes to medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, which rely heavily on what patients reveal, a doctor is most effective at diagnosing your problem if you are open and honest about your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. Being shy, coy, stoic, or dishonest is not a good approach toward securing an accurate diagnosis. As the patient, there are also other steps you can take to help make the diagnosis process a little easier, such as the following:

• Offer as much information as you possibly can, with as many details as you can remember.

• Go in prepared with a list of questions and concerns.

• If possible, write down the medications you take ahead of time. Include the dosages and how long you've been taking them.

• Write down any medications or over-the-counter remedies you've tried in the past, along with the reason you're no longer taking them.

• Bring a notebook so you can take notes on what the doctor tells you.

• Be on time. Doctors are busy. If you're late, that cuts into the time your physician can spend working with you.

Also, learn as much as you can about fibromyalgia. Knowledge is power when it comes to your health. Knowing what the doctor should look for can help move the process along, especially if your doctor has had little experience with fibromyalgia.