Diagnosis

[Jb86]

How do I go about seeing if I have fibromyalgia? Every time I see my doctor they palm me off

[Trikki]

Bless yo jb......Has your GP sent you for all the tests including blood tests scans and xray to rule out other conditions.....Has he referred you to a Neurologist? You have to go through a gamut of tests before you are diagnosed!.I wish you well.....xxx

[house77]

Hi Jb86,

It a horrible feeling when you in pain, you tell your Dr and you feel like they don't listen or maybe care..I have been there , and feel my Dr is still not supportive. SO I have decided to look around in my area , i will read the reviews and try find a dr who is more under standing about pain and fibromyalgia. ..I would recommend you maybe do the same..good luck and big hugs.xx

[Jb86]

I'm having blood tests next week but that's about it every time I go no matter what I say to them they just tell me I'm depressed and try to give me anti depressants 😡 I've had at least 10 hours sleep a night this week and feel like I've not slept a wink my whole body has been aching for god knows how long no pain killer does anything for me I'm 30 years old and feel like an oap constantly 😩

[bluebell99 in reply to Jb86]

Hello and welcome to our friendly fibro forum, where you can find help, support, advice and a chuckle or two.

Have you seen our Mother Site, fmauk.org ? Here you will find a wealth of information and links and guides to help you.

Getting a diagnosis of fibro can be a lengthy process. It tends to be the only thing left after a lot of other conditions have been eliminated, which is why you are having blood tests.

It would be worth you asking for a referral to a rheumatologist to investigate further.

I wish you luck!

Kay

[Hidden in reply to Jb86]

Hi jb86 welcome to the forum - you will find loads of help and hugs on here.

As for your GP is there no other GPs in the practice that you can see to get a second opinion.

Blood tests will not show Fibro nor will X-rays but what they can do is rule out anything else going on like arthritis etc.

As I already have arthritis long standing - my GP sent me for an X-ray that came back that arthritis had gotten worse but my symptoms were entirely different to those of arthritis - he then went onto their website which obviously we can't access and printed off symptoms of Fibro said to take it home read through it then come back and see him - I was absolutely gob smacked as I put a tick against everything and because I had, had arthritis for so long I thought it was a flare up of that and put down the aches and pains I'd been having to that - wrong - he prescribed amytriptalene said I can increase it if I didn't feel it was helping which I have and it certainly does help only downside is a very dry mouth when I first get up but as day progresses it disappears.

If you have no other GPs in your surgery then I would look to change to another practice as you are thinking of doing.

Thoughts and hugs for you and hope something is sorted out soon. Take care 🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘

[Jb86 in reply to Hidden]

I'm going to try go again and if I get no where I will be asking for 2nd opinions I'm not even sure this is what I have my symptoms seem to fit though and seem to be getting worse thank you for your help xxx

[Hidden in reply to Jb86]

Hi again I passed the print off to my neighbours daughter as she was having similar probs to me along with reumatoid arthritis already diagnosed - if she has still got it I will ask for it back so I can list the symptoms for you - if she hasn't - then symptoms and examination I recall that were asked by GP thighs sore to touch and I flinched when he touched me -top of arms same - shoulder blades the same - and back - top of arms have always been sore to touch since having cervical spondylosis which is what I put this down to 🙄 But there are other things on the list he gave me and I was surprised that I also suffer from these but for the life of me can't remember them - think there was something about monthlies/star week you know women's stuff - I think IBS was also in there frequent visits to loo to pass urine. Hope some of this helps you. Take Care 🤗🤗🤗😘😘😘

[Aap78 in reply to Jb86]

I feel for you! Research, reasearch. I am 37 years old and been dealing with the pain for years. Pain killer, IB profin and Tylenol does not do anything for me either. I am finding that magnessium citrate is helping a little so far. The days get long when your so tired and hurt all the time. I do feel attitude plays a big part. But what is crazy is the fatigue and the pain plays huge mind games with your attitude. I am hoping in the years to come someone does find some link to all the pain that we have.

[BlueMermaid3]

Hi there

Your best bet is to ask your GP for a referral to see a Rheumatologist.

They are the Consultants that specialise in diagnosing Fibromyalgia.

There is no blood test or way to 100 per cent diagnose Fibro but a Rheumatologist will have the best knowledge.

Good luck

Lu xx

[TheAuthor]

Hi Jb86

Welcome to the forum and it is wonderful to make your acquaintance. I can see that you have been given some wonderful replies and the only thing that I can add is if you have a walk-in centre nearby I would go and see them and explain how your pain is affecting you?

I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck, and please take care of yourself.

All my hopes and dreams for you

Ken

[Jb86]

Thanks for all your replies they are very much appreciated 1st thing Monday morning I will be on the phone to the doctors for another appointment xxx

[TheAuthor in reply to Jb86]

I want to genuinely wish you all the best of luck Jb86 for Monday.

[Jb86 in reply to TheAuthor]

Thank you I can't get in to see any doctor for another week it's abit of a joke really but it's not an emergency xx

[TheAuthor in reply to Jb86]

I really am so genuinely sorry to read that you cannot get in to see a doctor until next week. Please take care my friend x

[sleepyang]

Hi jb make a list of what joints and other points hurt take the list to the doctors with you, i was fobbed off as i have ostroathartis n all my pain was blamed on that and depression when all these years its been fibromyalgia there is presure points which can help them find out if it is fibro n ya right in saying no painkiller helps its throb throb throb 24/7 also there is alot more to fibro foggy head speech problems incontinance eye problems n the list goes on you go back and show him your list of ailments dont give up ok let us know how things go hun gengle hugs xx

[Jb86 in reply to sleepyang]

Will do thank you xxx

[minesawhiskey]

Hi, have my docs appointment Tuesday. Am afraid I'll get fobbed off too. I've had blood tests, am vitamin d deficient, have stopped taking my mental health meds( with agreement) as I thought that might be the cause of my symptoms but 9 weeks off that and no better , so what else can it be? Really want to try some kind of morphine but the last time my doc said no. How do I convince him?, I think he said it was because it's addictive, but I'm taking 8 co-cocodomol a day (that's addiction , isnt it? and my stomach has been extra dodgy lately. I hope Tuesday goes well for me.

[Jb86 in reply to minesawhiskey]

have you not been referred yet? How long has this been going on I fear I'm in for a very long ride for getting any answers about what is wrong with me 😩 Hope they help you xxx

[minesawhiskey in reply to Jb86]

Well, I had a mental health diagnosis and then vitamin d deficiency result. Have felt rubbish for 6 years but up to now all symptoms have come under these two issues but now am not so sure after reading about fibromyalgia etc

[Jb86 in reply to minesawhiskey]

That is what I'm thinking now I've read all the symptoms I could be completely wrong but I feel this more thank likely is the problem as I am getting worse not better hope you get more answers soon xxx

[Hidden in reply to minesawhiskey]

Hi minesawhisky have a look at my response a few seconds ago to jb86 and see if any of the points I've given them link to what you have. Good luck 😘😘😘

[minesawhiskey in reply to Hidden]

I wouldn't flinch if someone touched certain areas. The best description is that it's like that heavy feeling when cycling up a hill, plus a hangover/flu. I do feel like massaging my legs. Somebody mentioned Lymes disease, that's another possibility, could be anything I guess.

[Lydia200]

Hello huny

My heart goes out to you.

Before you go to the GP remember you are a manager. a manager of your own body. so talk like a manager with facts not emotion.

May I recommend the following:

Clearly write a list, an extensive list of allllllll your symptoms.

Then rewrite the list in order of worst symptom first. Least painful or least debilitating last.

Use this list to talk, calmly, kindly but firmly to the doctors.

I've learnt that there is a certain way to talk to doctors.

Here is what's I've learnt;

When you first walk in the doctors room and he gives a cheery Hello and casual how are you.... Do not act British and say like you would to a friend. Hello I'm fine. say nothing until you take your seat and the GP gives you eye contact. then say

Good morning. I am here today again to talk to you about getting a diagnosis for the.... eg pain I'm in physicaly.

Unfortunately it's very difficult to get a diagnosis as there's not one blood test that shows up fibromyalgia. As you know it is a case of ruling out loads of other things.i hope you don't mind me saying that you may not have Fibro but have 2 conditions that tick the same symptom boxes.eg lymes disease and a food allergy. Many conditions have effective treatment that either cure or stop the pain and stop deterioration. So it is annoying but it's worth testing and testing to find out weather it is fibromyalgia or something else that's treatable.

I understand the need for a diagnosis but it's best to get the correct diagnosis and treatment. So keep on asking the GP remembering to speak with facts not emotion.

Kindest regards

Lydiah

[Jb86 in reply to Lydia200]

Hi thanks for you reply xx

Out of the list I found on an NHS website I have all but 1 symptom of fibromyalgia my son has a thyroid condition and diabetes run in the family so I assume I'm having blood tests to rule them out 1st I will do a list and go back to the doctors next week and take your advice thank you xxx

[Lydia200 in reply to Jb86]

Your welcome

Christine Craggs-Hinton books on fibromyalgia are good to read.

Take good care of yourself

Lydiah

[Hidden in reply to Lydia200]

I found this amusing because it reminded me of my visit to the Rheumatologist. I took my written list of symptoms I even had an idea of the diagnosis. But, I stumbled when I entered the room, I bumped my arm on the table, looked like a dithering old dear at 6's and 7's. The poor co-ordination and a certain confused manner is itself the biggest indication of Fibro. Nonetheless he insisted I tell him my symptoms without my prepared list. Which was a case of ''well I have this, and there's that, and there's and oh yes..... .''

It was the trigger points that sealed the diagnosis though, I yelped 'ouch', jumped and winced in pain when one was touch. It wasn't even a firm prod I think I scared him as he was very apologetic.

I only ever had the one appointment and thereafter was referred for physio and the pain clinic.

[Hidden]

Fibro causes excessive tension in the muscles, giving the widespread feeling of being dragged down and caving in on ourselves. This may outwardly appear as depression. Indeed the worry of not knowing what's going on with your body and comparison to what you were like is in itself a depression. However, that is a symptom not the cause. That said I think Fibro is also a symptom of sorts and the cause IMHO is a debauched nervous system, where our fight or flight reactions are permanently on.

Sleep is a big factor or lack of quality sleep, this is because we don't rest and properly renew our nervous system at night. That's why amitriptyline is prescribed to help with sleep. Other than medications they also do acupuncture on the NHS, which helps temporarily.

I think it's important to get a definitive diagnosis, but if you don't, there's no reason why you cannot take steps towards health on the basis of a self diagnosis.

Good luck.

[Jb86 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply xxx

[Janet28]

Hi Jb86 and welcome to our wonderful forum ☺I'm sure you will come to find the forum invaluable in chatting to others who are going through the same experience as you & talking to others at different stages of their lives with Fibro & learning from their experiences.

I'm sorry you think you have fibromyalgia, I do hope you manage to see someone that can help you. i see you already have some good advice which I can't really add to, just wanted to say Hi.

Peace, luv n light

Jan x

[Jb86]

Hi everyone thank you all so much for your replies and advice I've seen my doctor tonight and he also thinks I have fibromyalgia I feel like a weight has been lift off my shoulders now that someone finally believes what I'm going through.