Looking for an answer to symptoms

[Deni52]

63 yr old: cramp knot upper left abdomen when bending forwards, left knee on front and sides/hip pain, left butt pain like siatica going to low spine, pain left side going around to back then up to shoulder (this area is very sensitive to touch which starts skin pain) fatigue, loss of interest in things I would do unless I have a deadline to do something eg appointments then I push myself,   anyway that's all I can think of at the moment ..oh yes concentration dips sometimes.. iv read up on fibro but I know the brain can convince you of things so haven't seen a doctor. Anyone else confused ?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hello, If you have not seen your doctor I would advise you to do so as the doctors are the only ones qualified to answer your concerns. Not much help I know but unless there are doctor's on the forum I would say there is no one who could give you the answers your looking for. Please do visit your doctor it could be anything to nothing at all. With out a proper dx you won't know. Good luck I hope you find the answers you are seeking.xx

[ukmsmi4]

Hi Deni

I can only agree with Dizzy's comment that you need to see a doctor for a diagnosis.  FM is a complex issue that has many symptoms and a diagnosis can only be reached by first eliminating all other possibilities; of which, depending on your particular symptom list, there are many.  This is why only a GP can diagnose and many GP's have to refer you to (usually) a rheumatologist if they are not up to scratch on FM themselves.  And it can often take around a year to go through the process of diagnosis.

One thing I would say though (and this is by no means a diagnosis one way or the other), lack of interest in things is not a common symptom of either FM or ME or CFS (which it is widely believed are similar and/or related in some way).  It is more usual that patients retain as much interest and motivation as they always did but instead lack the energy to act upon it.  Lack of interest is usually more indicative of depression.

Hope you get your answers.

Gentle hugs, Margaret.xx

[Deni52 in reply to ukmsmi4]

I would def put my lack of interest down to energy and pain not depression, its too much effort sometimes. Will get to docs although mentioned things a couple of times and nothing .. its age etc anyway thanks for a reply I wasn't looking for a diognosis just comparisons 😊

[ukmsmi4 in reply to Deni52]

Hi Deni

I did wonder. I only mentioned that because firstly, too many GPs think of FM and ME etc as being psychological illnesses rather than organic and secondly because often the symptoms of them both can be very similar to the symptoms of depression.  But, as I mentioned, the major difference with depression is that you lack motivation or interest, but with FM you have the motivation or interest but you simply can't physically do things.

It's an important distinction to make when you speak to your GP if you want them to make an accurate diagnosis.  Obviously there is nothing to be ashamed of if you are suffering from depression, many people do for all sorts of reasons, but if your main problem is Fibro then you don't want them to waste time on thinking you have a psychological illness.  You need an accurate diagnosis in order to get the relevant treatment.

That said people with FM and ME do often suffer depression at some point as a secondary symptom because living with either condition is so difficult, but that's not the same as having a primarily psychological illness and it shouldn't be treated as such.

Many people with either or both of these conditions (like me) often find it useful to make a list of all your symptoms and as much information as possible and take that with you to the doctors.  It will help if you are having a particular problem with brain fog that day and it also helps to help you remember if you take notes of what he/she says.  Also lets them know that you are genuinely worried and have been giving it some careful thought as to what exactly it is that your symptoms are.

Hope that helps.  Good luck at the docs.

Gentle hugs, Margaret.xx

[Deni52 in reply to ukmsmi4]

Thanks for your reply,  my brain would climb the highest mountain but I know practically (today especially) a few steps are painful but how I wish I could do the things others are doing.. I have no preconception of a diognosis just looking at the options, the doctor might say it's nothing and it might not be!  I do seem to go in cycle's of feeling ok but they don't seem as often now as I said it's as if iv aged and slowed down within the last few months.  As for the depression I believe most get some form at some point and certainly pain illness etc gets you down but I definitely don't feel it's always clinical for people, must admit I'm one for looking into and understanding what's happening whereas my other half is the opposite..takes all sorts I guess 😁 I think I maybe have a couple of things going on that are unrelated so fibro may not be the case ....maybe it is a sudden onset of old age ..gulp, best wishes I hope you keep well x

[Hidden]

Hi

Sorry to hear about your problems.

As fibro has many symptoms, I would go to your dr with a list and ask for help.

Nhs has a fibro web site on it too.

Good luck and hope one way or another you get some good help.

Take care and best wishes.

[Deni52 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 👍

[TheAuthor]

Hi Deni52

I am so genuinely sorry to read of how you are suffering and struggling and I sincerely hope that you can find some resolution and relief to these issues. As the others have said it would probably be beneficial to discuss all of this with your doctor. It may help to make a list and give it to your GP and see what they feel needs addressing first? I want to genuinely and sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken