Hi! I hope you all don't mind if I have a little rant and "get it all off my chest"?! I have a supportive family but they only understand so much and probably get tired of hearing it all.
I have suffered for about 10 years. Each GP or referral treated the single problem I had. First it was tiredness, then Anxiety and depression, then IBS, then the 'injured' wrist, ankle and back. Then it was the half a dozen 'pulled muscles' (including the trip to A & E with chest pain!).
I changed GPs and he suspected Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (I definitely have HM joints) and he referred me to the rheumatologist. This rheumatologist couldn't give me an answer and referred me to a surgeon for an arthroscopy on my wrist and suggested a shoe insert for my heel. As these are the 2 most painful, they signed me off and sent me back to my GP.
I had to go back to my GP as I was still suffering. He wasn't happy with rheumatology's findings (and lack of testing) and referred me to a small cottage hospital's rheumatology team.
My appointment was on Tuesday. It took him 20 minutes to read my notes, examine me and diagnose Fibromyalgia! I'm a little shocked as it hasn't come up in the 10 years I've been seeing professionals. However, I'm also a little relieved to finally have an answer!
Phew. Thanks for reading!