Hello you lovely people 😉
I went to my GP today with the view to be referred to Rhuemotologist.
However my doctor wants to initially do blood tests to ensure nothing else is wrong. If these come back normal he wants to manage my fibro within the surgery.
Is anyone else on here being managed by their GP?
Thanks as always guys ❤❤
Hi Hidden ,
I started off going to my GP with all over body pain. She gave me Tramadol for pain relief, and she did lots of blood tests, and when everything came back normal, she said that she thought I had Fibro and was going to send me to a Rheumatologist for a diagnosis.
The Rheumie did some X-rays, and more blood tests, all normal, so he confirmed diagnosis. Discharged me back to GP saying to add Amitriptyline to the Tramadol.
That was six years ago, and I must say that I'm happy with my GP treating me, as she admits she doesn't have all the answers, and asks me what do I think might work, and between us both we manage to work out what is best for me. I have changed my Meds quite a bit, but now I feel happy with the ones I'm taking, and I've accepted that there is no one pill that will take the pain away completely, and that with a mixture of Hydrotherapy, heat pads, pacing, and meds I can manage the best I can.
I have heard that there are quite a lot of Rheumatologists refusing to take referrals for Fibro, as they are so busy, and they can't really do much more than GPs can. Also since GPs had to take over their own Accounting for their Practice (about 3yrs ago), and all the cutbacks with the NHS, they are only referring patients to Consultants, when absolutely necessary.
If you have a GP that you get on with, and don't have any other illnesses, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to work together to manage your Fibro.
Good luck 😉
GP.
Thank you so much Greenpeace.
It makes so much sense what you said.
I feel really safe with my gp and happy for him to manage my fibromyalgia.
Have a good day today xx
Unfortunately yes - loosely "managed" by GP who refused point blank to refer me to Guys and Thomas's fibro clinic because "they can't do anything I can't do from here". Then proceeded to tell me not to bother him with anything fibro related just to put it in a letter. Like how am I supposed to know what is fibro and what isn't. It took many years to get a diagnosis in the first place (28 yrs!) from the hospital rheumatologist who just wrote "fibro" on a piece of paper handed it to me and said go research it. We dont treat it here and I am discharging you back to your GP. So that was it. I had never heard of fibro and spent the next 15 minutes sobbing in the hospital car park wondering what on earth the future held.
Your GP sounds a lot more clued up, although I thought only a rheumatologist could give the diagnosis but things may have moved on since my time! I am sure others on here will be along to give you their stories which will be more positive than mine. That's what is so great about asking on here as we can all chip in with our experiences.
Ah Dinkie
I am so sorry to hear about your experiences.
Maybe try different gp or even surgery.
I worked in social care and health and its always the people who shout the loudest get things done.
I hope you are listened to Dinkie xx
To be honest I just can't be bothered any more. I manage okay doing things my way. I have a very supportive MP who said he would write and tell my GP to refer me but I will leave that one on the back burner for when things get really unbearable. I know the system is stretched to breaking point so while I can manage on my own I will. 
I'm in the US, but yes, my GP manages all of my AI diseases
Yes and no.
No because my GP will refer me to any specialist she thinks will be better able to diagnose or help in some way.
Yes because when all tests are done and diagnosis arrived at or confirmed, every single specialist I have ever been to has simply then referred me straight back to my GP. No leaflets, no advice, no treatment, no follow ups, absolutely nothing else.
And much as I appreciate my GP, I don't want to criticise her as she is trying her best, but the NHS simply doesn't giver her the tools to help me manage any of my conditions. So in reality it's not even a case of my GP managing my health - it's really down to me!!
My advice though would be to push for a referral whatever the outcome of the tests. Sorry but to me that sounds like they are trying to put you off seeking a second opinion. And the only reason they would do that is they don't think you have a 'genuine' illness. Besides, it's unethical to isolate you and stop you from seeing other healthcare providers.
If he was capable of managing your condition in house, why isn't he doing it now. A few blood tests aren't going to tell anyone the ins and outs. That is what the specialist is supposed to do.
It really doesn't make sense to me because if your blood tests do come back negative, yet you still have symptoms, then surely you need to go to a specialist who will look into it further to rule out any more obscure conditions. GP's can't diagnose every single condition and not every single condition will show up in one blood test. How many tests does he propose to do for heavens sakes.
If it was me and my GP couldn't say you have abc or xyz then I would insist on a referral to someone who could. If necessary I would call his bluff and ask him point blank does he think it's all in your head?
Gentle hugs, Margaret.xxx
Thank you for taking the time to give me advice Margaret i realy appreciate it.
I didn't get the feeling he was unsympathetic quite the opposite. I get what your saying totally but having been prodded and poked for nearly 5 years.i I have had lots of investigations even operations but no medical explanation for my pain.
Earlier this year i went and saw a different gp who was dismissive and said there was nothing that could be done for me. Basically go home and don't bother her again 😮
So i did go home went into a major depression and thought i was a total hypochondriac and needed psychiatric help for making my pain up.
It took not being able to take a job offered to me as it had gone from 16 hours per week to 37 hours and feeling totally despondant my hubby made an appt with his gp who was brilliant.
I have to say i would much prefer to walk 10 mins down the road to my gp then having to go to the hospital.
I do have a plan tho that if nothing moves forward after 3 months i will insist to be referred to the rheumatologist.
Thanks again Margaret and i hope you have had a good positive day ❤
Sounds a good idea to me. If you think he is at least sympathetic then, if it comes to it, you may be able to insist on the referral with polite but firm points about well it must be caused by something and you feel you at least need the opportunity to rule things out. He must know that there are things he doesn't have the resources to test for and therefore require a referral.
Thanks for the hopes for positivity. I have to be honest and say I'm not doing very well on that score at the minute. I've long since accepted the fact I'm chronically ill and the fact that I have the conditions I do have (or at least as far as can yet be determined).
But I still have huge issues in accepting the medical neglect and ignorance that surrounds ME and Fibromyalgia. And because of that I cycle through a huge range of emotions including denial, frustration, anger, despair . . . well, you get the picture! Whilst I do try and remain positive, unfortunately and perhaps inevitably, negativity does have a habit of creeping in there too. And I'm afraid I have a big dose of that at the minute.
But that's my problem, not yours.
I wish you well in your quest for answers.
Take care and gentle hugs, Margaret. xxx
Well you have someone sending you lots of positivity, love and hugs your way Margaret.
I completely understand about remaining positive and we are only human after all.
Make sure that everyday you do something just for you, an Epsom soak in the bath, coffee and cake while enjoying your fav programme.
I like doing crossword puzzles, takes my mind away from my body and stimulates my brain!!
Sending light and love your way Margaret
Victoria xxxx
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