Emma

Hello all new here,

I have just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, could someone please advise, My Gp would like to refer me to a rheumatologist who specialise in fibromyalgia i live in London(i have just seen one and was not good).

Hope someone can advise.

Thanks

[Ellebe]

what a shame you've had a bad experience. I live in Bedfordshire and eventually got referred to a rheumatologist which gave me access to all sorts of services such as the pain Clinic, Physio, hydrotherapy and other possibilities that I haven't taken up such as group therapy and CBT. The rheumatologist did at least recognise the symptoms which was a great relief and in giving me a diagnosis re-assured me that I wasn't going mad!

I had to spend a lot of time with my GP going through all sorts of tests to eliminate anything else before referral. That GP at least wanted to find out the underlying cause rather than just looking at the symptoms in isolation and treating the symptoms. They need to learn more about treating people holistically.

I am now trying to get allergy testing but the GP (a different one to the previous GP who wanted to know underlying causes) doesn't want to refer me. She has suggested I carry on with what I'm doing (applying topical creams) as it is working!!!!!! I don't agree with that perception. I have however persuaded her to refer me to a dermatologist - perhaps they will advise allergy testing and I'll get it that way.

Good luck

[Hidden in reply to Ellebe]

Thanks maybe will try another Gp.

Emma

[Fibrofoggiest]

Hi there,

I think it would be well worth at least seeing another rheumy for a second opinion. Not all of them are as good as others, (as in many things) and you may just find that you are taken seriously and that some steps may be taken to make things easier for you. I would just ask if you could also ask about being referred to a pain management clinic, as a lot of people have found them to be of help.

I'm sending lots of positive healing vibes your way and truly hope things work for you, do let us know how you get on 😀😀

Also, just having read your response to Ellebe, I think if you are not happy with your GP you should most certainly look towards finding another one, it makes life so much easier if you have a primary care person (GP) who has a good and proper understanding of fibro and is sympathetic and proactive about helping you, especially as you are recently diagnosed.

Foggy x

[Hidden]

Thanks the the rheumy i saw, in the office for about 7 mins and that was that rubbish.

Emma

[Micro]

I have 'done tours', GRRRR of several pain management clinics in Yorkshire..

1. One type does not issue medication. Has a process involving four disciplines; psychology, physiotherapy, occupational therapy support and..............NHS

2. The other type does issue meds.

I stopped going there because we moved house. NHS.

Had I continued I THINK I would have had access to other treatments such as steroid injections, denervation treatment to reduce back pain. The house move interfered with the process and I ended up paying privately to gain knowledge of the cause of the back pain and get urgent treatment.

At the point of being referred to these clinics it was not made clear to me which 'type' they were.

I had already had Fibro/ME for any years. The back pain went untreated for four years except for Morphine even though it was a 'new symptom'. GP, I think, was STILL believing that at least some of the pain was psychological. My visits, (very hard to travel) to the clinics which do NOT help with medication, took Monthe in each case. An EARLIER REFERRAL to a pain clinic WHICH WOULD BE ABLE to point the way to medical treatments would have reduced the time I was in such debilitating pain !

Both type of Pain Clinic do valuable work in different ways.

I am explaining some of my own experience in case it will help someone else just beginning a 'pain clinic journey '.

[Hidden]

Thank you for your advise, fibromyalgia is horrid and i haven't had it that long , its so hard to get proper treatment and understanding it seems.

Thanks again

Emma

[TheAuthor]

Hi Emma

I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and I genuinely hope that you find the site useful, informative and loads of fun!

I always suggest to members that they contact local support groups in their area as their members will have knowledge of the local Rheumatologists and doctors in their area that are Fibro friendly.

I have pasted you two links below to Fibro directories in your area:

FibroAction Directory:

fibroaction-public.sharepoi...

Fibromyalgia Support Directory:

fibromyalgia-support.com/su...

I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck and I genuinely hope that you find the answers that you so desperately desire and deserve.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Hidden]

I think its a good idea to see a rheumatologist who actually specialise in fibro , maybe they can give advice on things that your doctor can't. If you

don't get on with them you don't have to go back, where I live there is no

specialist for fibro I do have a supportive doctor though.

[Hidden]

Thanks so much for reply, i have found a specialist Rheumatologist in guys and St Thomas' that my GP will refer me to and hope they can help a bit more.

Emma