I have just found your site after a few days of internet research. I have been suffering with "chronic pain" for the last four years or so. It started as an almost constant headache which then progressed to tingling and lack of strength in my arms. Over the years this has increased again and I now have lower back pain, intense pain in my ankles/tendons, shoulders, bloating of the stomach, lack of proper sleep and hours pacing the house at night trying to get rid of the pain and all the original symptoms. I have begun to feel very confused, emotional and often feel quite irrational fears about my work/ capability etc. Over the years I have had CT scans revealing "minor" wear and tear of the upper spine which is believed to be trapping the nerves. I have had TENS, acupuncture and phgysion all with limited success. I had a series os steroid injections in my back, neck which eased the pain short term but has now come back with a vengeance. I have been on all sorts of pain killers and neuropathic drugs and currently take Codeine/paracetamol, Gabapentin and Tramadol. Having just found out about Fibromyalgia, I am starting to think that this is what I have? I seem to have so many off the symptoms that I have read about. What I don't understand is why it has not even been mentioned as a possibility by my G.P. Should I bring this up as a possibility when I next see him. I am currently signed off work and really worry about my job as I seem to have a lot of time off with pain and the drowsiness bought on by the high levels of pain killers I am taking.
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So that you can get some more information on Fibromyalgia, have a look on our mother site fmauk.org
As far as getting a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is concerned it is not easy. A possible reason that your GP has not mentioned Fibro is that not all GP's/Consultants actually believe that this condition exists.
For GP's that do believe in Fibro not many of them actually know much about Fibro and now it affects us.
Because the symptoms of Fibro are very similar to other conditions, these other conditons need to be ruled out by your GP first.
After that has been done you can ask your GP to refer you to see a Rheumatologist. These are the Consultants that specialise in Fibro.
Sorry to read your post but glad you have found this site. I can totally empathise with what you are going through. Have you had a look at our mother site Fibromyalgia Action UK as it is a mine of information about medication and different treatments.
Fibro can be so confusing as there are so many different symptoms that can pop up, sometimes together and sometimes just a few. Everyone seems to have these symptoms in different proportions as some people are quite mild and as long as they pace themselves and are sensible they can live quite a normal life. Others are totally overcome with pain and fatigue.
I am replying to you wrapped in a quilt propped up on the sofa after having to take extra meds and being up all night with pain I think a zombie would have more life in them.
I had supposedly been diagnosed about ,6 years back but in sick notes and letters my GP had never called it fibro. It was only when I was sent to a physio etc by a new GP that fibro was mentioned by others and when one write to him saying they thought I might have fibro he was shocked to learn that I knew nothing about the diagnosis as he said the mention of it was all over my notes. I am telling you this only to illustrate that sometimes the diagnosis has been made but the patient is the last to know.
After being on this site for a number of years I know alot of people have had trouble with specialists etc when they know they have fibro as they put down all the symptoms to fibro and often people have found they in fact have other things wrong with them that because of this have remained untreated. I am presuming that you have had tests for RS, thyroid problems and vitamins and mineral deficiencies as these can cause no end of problems. Yes the OT I saw last year who gave me w one off injection in my hip said if the pain was caused by fibro the steroid injection would probably have limited effect.
Sometimes shopping meds can help as there are several that are very similar in their action but one might suit you better than another. Others have found that being prescribed a mild antidepressant had helped particularly with sleep issues and lower back pain. I would certainly have a word with your GP. I look forward to your future posts.x
I am so sorry, I should have mentioned this before!
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I sincerely hope that you are feeling as well as you possibly can be today? Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance.
I am so genuinely sorry to read of how you are suffering and struggling, and I sincerely hope that you can ascertain some answers one way or the other. The symptoms that you have described could well be Fibro? However, they could also be other medical conditions such as MS, Peripheral Neuropathy, Hypothyroidism, Vitamin B12 Deficiency, Heart Rhythm Disorder, etc, etc. The list is quite extensive.
In my personal opinion, I think there are 3 things that could narrow down what is happening for you. Firstly, full range of blood tests. Secondly, a referral to a Rheumatologist, and thirdly, an MRI of your brain to check for any pressures or lesions. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.
Bless you hunny pain is possibly the biggest symptom of fibro but if you haven't been diagnosed with it as yet they are still checking other causes, fibro is so similar to so many other conditions that it's only after ruling them out you get a diagnosis. It's such a lengthy process to do it this way when a brain scan can tell not sure if it's a special brain scanner that's needed tho lol xxxxx hope you find the answer hunny to why your in so much pain xxxxxxx ps welcome to our site xxxxxxx
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Explaining on-going pain issues with GP
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