Diagnose

[Brew]

Hi all, haven't posted for sometime as my pain, fatigue,mind fog has been on over drive over the last 4 months, I have just got back from seeing my doctor who on the phone last week said all of my symptoms together points to me having fibromyalgia and to come in for a appointment so he can look over me, he read over my notes and all the information I told him "morning stiffness, mind fog, fatigue, IBS,sleep problems and so on , I asked about my tender point as I only have 9 .he said men usually have less and I should try not to let myself get overwhelmed with the criteria, I got diagnose in December with CPS & from then the other symptoms kicked off a lot more ,he has upped my duloxetine and pain meds and has give me a support group to contact, I have seen and phone him nearly once a week over the last 4 months and gone over how I am feeling and respect his diagnose,

my question that I forgot to ask he, is did my CPS start turning into fibromyalgia or have I been suffering from it all a long? am a bit confused ,has this happened to anyone , or is it likely that fibro can take along time to diagnose,develop, overlap?

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi Brew

I have had Fibromyalgia for over 30 years. I had my initial diagnosis when I was 20 and got my formal diagnosis three years ago. I am 54 now!

My story is not uncommon. I've been a member of this forum since 2012 and I have read many posts from people who have waited decades for a diagnosis.

Fibro is so hard to diagnose due to the fact that there are so many different symptoms that people present with.

So in answer to your question, I personally do think it can take a very long time to diagnose.

Best wishes

Lu x

[Brew in reply to BlueMermaid3]

hi BlueMermaid1 thanks for your post ,I have been in pain for the last 5 years and had all the tests, Xrays and MRI`s you could think of, the pain clinic doctor when over every thing with me in less than 5min and put my condition down as CPS and kind of ignored my other symptoms :? lucky my very nice GP that I see is taking them into account, I am unsure if he has given me a formal diagnosis or a initial diagnosis but either way for me its something we can work with and it kind of explains the majority of my symptoms and the way I feel, I have had so many ops for this and that and broken some many bones around my body over the years something has to give, in for a hernia op soon not looking forward to that on top of it all

Thanks

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Brew]

Hi again

I too have had many ops and procedures over the years.

I was wondering whether you've seen a Rheumatologist at all?

If not, it could be a good idea to ask your GP to refer you to one. They are the ones that tend to diagnose Fibro, although it can be done by your GP.

Just an idea to take you forward.

Good luck with the hernia op x

[Brew in reply to BlueMermaid3]

hi BlueMermaid1 yes I have seen a Rheumatologist who informed myself and my GP of what he found and then my GP went over it with me again, I find it hard to put it all together in my head and remember it all (maybe the mind fog?) but my GP is treating me for fibro as the Rheumatologist said too as well

Thanks

Sorry having a confusing day with it all

[BlueMermaid3 in reply to Brew]

Don't worry. We all have them!

Hopefully your Rheumatologist wrote a letter to your GP and copied you in on it as to his findings?

If you haven't had a copy of that letter it may help you to put everything into place.

At the end of the day perhaps it would be a good idea to think about how important it is to you right now to piece it all together? There's plenty of time for you to do that.

Personally I think it does take quite some months just to absorb your diagnosis and take it all in. Give yourself time to rest along your Fibro journey. It can all be very daunting and a lot to take in.

I'd be happy to share my experiences with you if you think it would help.

[TheAuthor]

I am so genuinely sorry to read this and I just wanted to sincerely wish you all the best of luck.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken