My poor mum

[ChrissieMc]

My 80 year old Mum has had suffering for a year now with chronic pain. She is on steroid tablets but they don’t seem to be doing much good. Plus she had put loads of weight on. She cries with the pain but still keeps going bless her. Is there a specialists she could see. We don’t mind paying as it’s horrible to see her this way. Thanks

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

hi Chrissie

hi and welcome to the FMA UK forum.

Sorry to hear that your mum is suffering so much . As she is being treated with steroids - is it possible that they suspect she has polymyalgia rather than fibromyalgia ??? Steroid treatment is not generally used or recommended for fibromyalgia but is the recommended treatment for polymyalgia. Although if they are not helping, it looks unlikely that she has polymyalgia (hope that makes sense - brain is not working today)

Regarding specialist .... people are generally sent to a rheumatologist for diagnosis - or depending on symptoms; a neurologist. But both will only do tests to rule out other conditions - and refer back to the GP for treatment in most cases.

Depending where you live .. .there are 2 nhs fibromyalgia clinics in London and 1 in Bath - that possibly if your GP has run out of ideas she could be referred to. Also - a pain clinic for help in managing her pain better.

hope she can get some relief, and some support and help xxx

[ChrissieMc in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thanks for your speedy reply. I'll check with my mum re diagnosis but it's her gp that's been treating her she hasn't been referred to any consultant so I'll make appointment with her to gp and get referral. ThEy definitely told her she has fybromyliagia. Predisoline steroids thank again

[ChrissieMc in reply to ChrissieMc]

Just spoke to mum she's checked paperwork and it is polymalgia!! Bless her she's 80 so gets in bit of muddle. Is there a group for this condition??

[Rose54 in reply to ChrissieMc]

Hi

Yes just do a search on HU

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff in reply to ChrissieMc]

its easy to get confused with them both sounding so similar ... and both having chronic pain as their main symptom. hope you can find some information on what else can be done to help

this is a link to polymyalgia group on HU healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk