Medical referrals

[KernowKitty]

I have a friend who has been struggling for the last 10 years with Fibromyalgia, he really needs advice and support but doctor and job centre have been useless, is there any other type of help out there?

[TheAuthor]

Hi KernowKitty

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I have pasted you a link to our mother site, FibroAction, which has loads of useful Fibro information on the site from Fibro symptoms, treatments and groups through to benefits etc:

fibroaction.org

I have also pasted you two link on how to claim PIP and ESA benefits, as you did not say whether he was in receipt of disability benefits:

Links to GOV.UK site:

gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

gov.uk/employment-support-a...

I want to wish you and your friend all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[phlebo123]

Hiya I would recommend that your friend makes an appointment to speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau... they would advise on different options... and are very helpful and understanding. Xx

[shadycurt3160]

kernowkitty,

Dr John Whiting is very good and he's good because he has fibromyalgia himself. He is very humble and understanding and can point you in the right directions for different needs. Good luck Shadycurt. He's in Brisbane.

[honor1a]

Kernowkitty,

Only thing I can suggest, is he goes to a fibromyalgia meeting group, if there is one in his area . If it's financial help he's looking for maybe CAB, can help I've suffered with Fibromyalgia since about 1994 diagnosed in 2000, not been able to work since 2002 it is a struggle. for symptoms relief & comfort suggest he goes swimming or even just walk up & down the length of the pool as while in the water it will support is muscles give him temporary relief, any exercise can maybe stregthen muscles to help him cope a litle easier. Hope this is helpful for you xx

[Hidden]

Hi I don't know if this would apply, but have you seen a pain management specialist? The will recommend a range of treatments, therapies etc. Its worth a look, available on NHS or Private, mine has been a godsend.

[joanne_1969]

sounds like he could do with finding another GP who is more understanding just getting a doctor to truly believe in this illness can be a giant hurdle.I hope he can find the help he needs.

[solowheelie]

I wonder if your friend has a diagnosis of fibromyalgia because this definitely helps to open doors a crack and then it is going to whatever prepared with information about the disease and about how it affects him - keeping a diary of symptoms and what it prevents him doing helps.

[KernowKitty]

thanks for all your advice. I believe he was diagnosed by a neurologist 10 yrs ago, would he be able to get another referral, ie to see if any new progress on the illness? He struggles also with communicating his needs, I was at his last doctor's appointment but he forbade me to say anything, all that happened is he was signed off for 6 weeks, which in my opinion wasn't very helpful. He is willing to work, though his illness is debilitating but dhss keep referring him to doctor, I feel like he is caught in a loop with no support! Sorry for ranting...