Well; what a difference a day makes, as a singer (Dinah Washington?) once said; armed with the wealth of info I've learned during my short time on here, I went to see a Doctor - not my regular GP - today at 11.45. I was ready for war, and had decided that today was the day; I wouldnt take no for an answer, and wouldnt leave the practice until I had some form of concrete diagnosis. Ready for action, possessed by my own self-assertiveness, I strode into his practice, and, before I could say a single word, he asked if 'these pains' I'd been experiencing since last year were in roughly the same place on both sides of my body? Yes, I replied: "Are you depressed?", he asked, and I told him that yes, I was, but really felt that there was nothing in my life to depress me. "You've got fibromyalgia, Barry," he said. "We are going to have to adjust your medication. Please, sit down."
Just like that. The anti-climax and the relief were palpable. He wants to see me again in early January. Thanks for your help, everyone; just off to take my first ever dose of Amitriptylene (25mg). I'll let you all know how it goes xx
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Bazr1957
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Thank you, Kay. One of the things the doc said to me was that after reading my records and blood test results, he knew what it was, and only had to ask me a few questions to confirm what he thought. Good advice re the amitriptylene; Ive got the usual pain today, but last night was the first night Ive managed more than a few hours undisturbed sleep in a long while. This morning, I woke feeling like I'd been on a bit of a bender, but I feel better than usual, due, no doubt, to having actually gotten some sleep. Thank you for responding, and I hope you have a great, pain free Christmas and New Year
It does take a very long time to get a diagnosis, so well done on being well prepared, even though you didn't need it!
Even when we are expecting a diagnosis it can come as a shock after a day or two. You finally have a name for your pain, but you now have to come to terms with the fact that you have a long term chronic illness.
It is a good idea to take some time out (not from the forum) in your head to think about how your condition may change your life.
I have been on the forum for nearly 5 years (and lived with Fibromyalgia and ME for 36 years) and have seen so many people come on to the forum after a diagnosis and say that they now feel quite lost.
As far as the Amitryptyline is concerned try taking it 12 hours before you need to get up the following day.
The best time to take it is around 6pm to avoid feeling a bit groggy the next day. You are starting on a relatively high dose as most people are prescribed 10mg and then go up from there.
It may well knock you out completely! Also bear in mind that it can take around 6 weeks to fully get into your system and work at its optimum level.
The maximum dose is 175mg so there is plenty of scope. This medication helps not only with sleep but with pain and low mood as well.
Please stay with us. As I said I have had Fibro plus other conditions for 36 years and I am still learning.
Wishing you a lovely Christmas and Happy and peaceful New Year.
Thank you Rosewine, the GP did say to me that the new medication would almost certainly make an impact upon the inexplicable low moods Ive been experiencing. Hope you are well and remain so x
Thank you Jo; I sort of went from trying to get my regular gp to listen to anything I was telling her, to a gp who wouldnt let me get a word in edgeways. Time will tell with the amitriptylene, but my first encounter with it was promising. Again, after reading and hearing about the experiences of some of our fellow sufferers on here, I realise that Ive actually been luckier than most. Have a great Christmas, Jo, DON'T drink the purple Aftershock xx
That is good news that you have a diagnosis my friend. I want to sincerely wish you all the best of luck with your new medication. Please take care of yourself.
Thank you, Ken, again, I think Ive been luckier than most of our gang in terms of time taken to get diagnosed, but, finding this forum was one of the best things that happened in my life this year. The advice and comfort Ive received have been a consolation, but humbling. I'm so grateful to you all, mate. I will of course, stick around, so that when my experience reaches a level at which I can be as much help and support to newcomers as you all have been for me, I'll be able to. Thanks again Ken, all my best regards and wishes to you mate
So glad at last you got a diagnose s it really does make a difference just to know your not going mad with the brain fog and that the pain is not from some terminal illness helps with the stress that just makes the pain worse I've been on amitripline for years I am surprised that the dose is 25mg to start with as it does make you larthargic till you get used to it I started on 5mg now on 50mg they do help with the pain and more with get g some sleep best wishes 😆
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Doctor hell
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The pip assessment 
