Despite there being a reliable diagnosis for fibromyalgia and treatment guidelines, many people still have to wait years to get diagnosed only to be told there is no treatment.
The method of diagnosis, initially developed for research purposes, has been shown to be both effective and simple.  On assessment, a careful health history is taken. If the patient reports widespread pain for more than three months together with pain in at least 11 out of 18 tender point sites when they are pressed, then a diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be made.   “Widespread pain” means pain above and below the waist and on both sides of the body. The “tender points”, or spots of extreme tenderness, are rarely noticed by the patient until they are pressed. 

Although more doctors are becoming knowledgeable about fibromyalgia, many people who contact Fibromyalgia Association UK tell us that, having read about the symptoms of fibromyalgia, it has been down to them to suggest the possibility of this as a diagnosis to their GP.  This diagnosis stills seems to be overlooked, despite the prevalence of the condition. 
Most people have to wait for an appointment with a consultant, usually a rheumatologist, before getting a confirmed diagnosed, when it should be possible to be diagnosed by the GP.