Fibromyalgia diagnosis

[marmaris]

Hello everyone I am new to this site. I have been long term hypothyroid now for 20 years and suffering with lots of aches and pains, and extreme fatigue. I am awaiting an appointment with a rheumatologist. Could anyone please advise me what questions I should be asking and how do I know I have Fibro. Any help would be appreciated please.

[Ian123]

Hi, welcome some information on diagnosis fibroaction-public.sharepoi... hope you find this helpful

[marmaris in reply to Ian123]

Thanks Ian123 I will check it out.

[Ian123 in reply to marmaris]

I hope you find some relief from your symptoms soon

[marmaris in reply to Ian123]

Many thanks Ian. I just don't want to go down the myriad of prescription drugs syndrome. I have a friend who has suffered for years and the medication and the side effects that she takes has made her quite poorly.

[Ian123 in reply to marmaris]

I dont think anyone would want a myriad of prescription drugs with a free choice, unfortunately becoming quite poorly is also possible without any medication side effects. Managing symptoms with whatever we can tolerate as treatment is part of the delicate balancing act that we all face

[marmaris in reply to Ian123]

Yes I appreciate that some of us do not have a choice Ian, and I will face that bridge when I come to it. It's the side effects that worry me.

[Ian123 in reply to marmaris]

The NHS have a popular mantra of "nothing about me without me" where your involvement in treatment options should help you make advised decisions if or when necessary

[TheAuthor]

Hi marmaris

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? I can see that Ian123 has pasted you the link to the FibroAction cache on this subject. I would also discuss the Fibromyalgia Tender Point Tests as these are a good indicator of whether or not you have Fibro. I have pasted you the WebMD cache on this below:

WebMD - Tender Point Tests

webmd.com/fibromyalgia/guid...

I want to wish you all the best of luck with this, and I genuinely hope that you find the answers that you are looking for.

Al my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[marmaris in reply to TheAuthor]

Many thanks. I have visited the site and learnt a lot more. I knew about the pressure points tests but have heard it can not always be reliable. Am I right in thinking that there is no blood test for this? I have read recently that a new theory states that it has something to do with the shunts in the hand and nerve endings.

[Hidden]

Hi there. First as far as i know the tender point test is fairly accurate in women, not so much in men.

I have read that they are trying out a blood test in america but as yet it is very expensive and not available here. If i am wrong perhaps Claire or one of our other American friends could put me right.

The discovery of the differences in our hand has been going around for a time. No one knows whether it is the cause or another symptom, probably a symptom.

There is a lot of information that has only just come to light thanks to modern technology.

But it is all bits and pieces like a jig saw puzzle, No one has yet managed to put it together.

Hope this helps,

Hugs sue xx

I should add that the tender point test is fairly accurate when carried out properly. Not all doctors know how.

[marmaris in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Mayrose 54 for the information.

[TheAuthor in reply to marmaris]

Hi again marmaris

I see that mayrose54 has beaten me to a reply to you! The Tender Point Tests are fairly good if, as mayrose54 says, they are carried out properly. I was referred to a Chiropractor by my GP who knew all about them and was really good with his skill and knowledge base, and this is how I was diagnosed.

Good luck

Ken

[marmaris in reply to TheAuthor]

Thanks you for that unfortunately I have not even got to first base yet and chasing up appointments with rheumatology today I have been told I could be waiting a further 13 weeks or more now. It is a very busy department it would seem, no wonder with so many of us suffering in pain.

[ailsamary]

Not sure of what questions to specially ask. So many of us have such varied symptoms. I too am hypothyroid. Have a read through the links and see if that brings any questions

The other thing is rheumatology Dr's vary. Some aren't interested in fibro at all they may not offer any medication and it will also depends depend on how the pain and stiffness bother you at the moment moment. I was just happy to have a diagnosis after years of being told it was my arthritis.

Some can manage with no relief but others(like me) take a whack of medication so it really depends on what you expect or are after. When I was younger I would avoid tablets like the plaque but then I had to take them as it was the only way I could keep on working although now unfortunately. I can't work either. Nothing to do with the tablets but because of what I could manage to do. I have various other issues like so many of us.

Unfortunately this looks more like a bit of a ramble but hope it helps

[marmaris in reply to ailsamary]

Thanks ailsamary for info. Every bit helps.

[fenbadger]

All I can say is Good luck and don't worry - that's a negative emotion. You've had plenty of good comments.

[marmaris in reply to fenbadger]

Many thanks fenbadger

[Lillee76]

I'll be thinking of you and hoping you feel better soon.

[marmaris in reply to Lillee76]

Many thanks Lillee76