Have I got fibro???

[Mzmiller]

Just advice needed I hear it's difficult getting a diagnosis how many of you struggled with this???

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi there Mzmiller I think you may find almost everyone who as been diagnosed with fibro as struggled for many years before been diagnosed if they ever do. It took me 10 years or more. I would always be very wary of a doctor who can and does give anyone an on the spot diagnoses with out any testing at all.

Mo

[bluebell99]

Hello Mzmiller and a warm welome to our friendly fibro forum where you can get advice, help, information and support along with a chuckle or two to lighten the day.

Have you seen our Mother Site fmauk.org ? Here you will find useful information including guides and links.

Some of us have spent years getting a diagnosis after being tested for many conditions and xrays. Unfortunately fibro is the condition that is left when everything else has been eliminated. There is no one test for fibro although some doctors use the Pressure Point test. This is where in certain parts of the body a little applied pressure produces more pain than is usual.

There are some doctors, usually older who still persist in thinking that fibro is all in the head. If you have come across this, a guide about fibro can be sent to the surgery anonymously from fmauk.org.

I advise you to lock your posts by following instructions in Pinned Posts on the right. This will keep your information safe. It also locks your replies which means members who are reluctant to answer an unlocked post, will now do so.

I hope to see you about the forum.

Kay

[Hidden]

Welcome Mzmiller you've joined a very helpful and friendly site - where you will be looked after in one way or another - you will laugh and you will cry on here at the stories - pictures - art work/photos will amaze you this will help you to realise that although in pain our Fibro friends still find time to help.

Sorry you are going through this at the moment as your mind will be in a quandary as to what is happening to you - I was the same earlier this year I thought I had polymyalgia as I have cervical spondylosis and they are both connected - GP said no you don't have that but think you may have Fibro - he sent me for an X-ray to check if spondylosis had gotten worse but also to rule any other stuff out - he then examined me by pressing tops of legs and arms - top of my back - he then gave me a print out off patient website of symptoms for Fibro asked me to look st it carefully and to come back - I was amazed as I ticked most if not all - got an appointment with him and he confirmed I had Fibro - prescribed amytriptalene 10mg st first but told me I could increase it until I felt less pained which I did and now on 30mg - I feel better plus I am sleeping a lot better.

I wish you well and hope you will feel a bit better soon and I hope this has helped. Take care 😘🤗

[Trikki]

Welcome Mzmiller.....Takes forever doesn't it? Doc's have to rule out what it isn't before they can give a proper diagnosis, hence blood tests, x-rays, scans etc. Once it is diagnosed it then takes time to find which meds suit you as we all react differently to them. I found Gabapentin did nothing for me but Amitriptyline works for me....Keep in touch so we know how you are doing....x

[AlegnaB]

Over 25 years for me. I was treated as a hypochondriac. Only I knew the pain and discomfort I was suffering. Years later it was diagnosed a chronic pain condition. Perhaps 14/15 years ago it was diagnosed as FM by a female rheumatologist. No advice given whatsoever... just that I should take an analgesic!!!

[Fightingwithdad]

Nearly 30 yrs before diagnosis! Fortunately, my then Gp put me on paroxetine, I was complaining about chronic fatigue, bloods were normal, it helped a lot. He said he knew something was wrong but didn't know what! Tho still had the pain part of things... All these years later ,Ive been diagnosed with FM, a relief as now I know what's wrong! Haven't sorted pain tho.. Amitriptyline did nothing, gabapentin fogged my brain, had been on nsaids for years for oa which has affected kidney function. Now very wary of any medication! Trying to cope, without anything, not easy. So yes, can take forever to get a diagnosis.

[Multijo]

For me it took about 3 years which in fibro world is super speedy. The reason I believe is that I already had three docs my GP, my Nuro (have had MS for 20+ years) and a rheumatologist my GP brought in after he had eliminated some of the most likely to be..........

I hope for you your docs help to move you through the eliminatIon tests and processes. I know it is frustrating and I am sorry you have to go through it.

[Dbirk]

Took forever. Went to the GP about 5 times before he referred me and then waited 10 weeks to see consultant and then had loads of tests and then had to wait another 10 weeks to see consultant and then got diagnosed and then told that's there's not much they can do except give me anti depressants and strong pain killers which you can't take because you cannot function normally while taking codiene.

[MariLiz]

Mine was diagnosed by a rheumatologist after a referral by my GP. The rheumatologist ordered blood tests to see if there were signs of inflammation. Then, as that proved not to be the case, she tested me for pressure points, tender spots, around the body. If they find more than a certain number, then they diagnose fibromyalgia, or they did in my case.