Hi I'm new

[Stats1985]

I've been told it's a two year waiting list to see hospital to see if I have fibromyalagia, I've had tiredness headaches bad memory everyday, on other days I get random pains in my body or tightness. I am really struggling at work as I've got slower on days but until I have a name too it I can't talk to work. Did anyone have to change there career?

[Stats1985]

Thank you, my doctor wants to see me in 4 weeks time again so keeping a notebook of good and bad days. Will try talking to work soon. Doctor did advise cutting my hours but I can't afford to. Feels like brick walls everywhere. Did get offered new job less physical but more stress, the more I read I don't know what one is worse.

[Dinkie]

If you are UK based under the NHS guidelines you have a right to expect to have an appointment within 18 weeks of being referred so I would query with your GP a two year wait. Have a look on line at your local hospital as most publish predicted wait times. Yes it may take years to get a diagnosis as most on here will testify but not for an initial consultation if that is what you mean you should be seen within 6 months tops. I first visited GP in 1987 with symptoms but it took till 3 years ago to actually get the letter with the fibro diagnosis. Obviously others have had a much quicker diagnosis!

Regarding work personally I have had to reduce my hours but still work. Fibro is different for all of us so it's a case of no hard fast rules on anything from exercise,diet,medication,work etc. It's very much a case of trial and error and learning the art of pacing oneself - don't ask me about the last one as I haven't managed to get the hang of that one yet!

Dont lose heart, keep pestering your GP and suggest to him/her that if it really is a two year wait they refer you to a different hospital.

Good luck

[lindyloub]

I didn't think Fribromyalgia can be tested my Doctor told me if you think you have the symptoms I'll give you a 1 week trial of medication gaberline it reduced the pain but with a Facebook Support group I really learnt a lot the particular medication being putting on weight after losing 3 stone expensive buying smaller sizes. I switched to another which I've now stopped taking as I didn't feel it was helping just more chemicals on top of the others I have bought more vitamin products which I didn't know would be helpful magnesium my additional vitamins I think are beneficial I didn't have them in hospital forgot to take them & forgot my inhalers they wouldn't give me any the same with painkillers I know which are beneficial maybe it might have counteracted on the other medication morphine didn't help eventually they gave me paracetamol & codeine that actually worked as it does daily

[Hidden]

I agree with aj ay tell boss widespread pain,hopefully your Dr will be able to give you a name in meantime like anxiety and back or leg ache, I had to pack my caring job in.

[Hidden]

I went part time to less hours to two weekly to nothing my body just couldn't cope with it, I loved it actually, I miss it.

[Hidden]

Dinkie is exactly right if you are in the UK. I had to wait 8 months to see an NHS rheumatologist. Check as many local hospitals as you have access to as some have shorter waiting times than others. If indeed a long wait is confirmed, email your M.P and send a letter to PALS (Patient Liasion) at your hospital. You could consider seeing a Rheumy privately for a diagnosis, but it's not cheap, about £200-250. If you do, choose one that has experience in Fibromylagia, all their details are usually online.

[Dinkie in reply to Hidden]

Agreed - I went private in the end but what I would add is never get an appointment on a friday afternoon before a bank holiday. I made that mistake and the consultant couldn't get me out of the door quickly enough as he was about to go away for the long weekend!!

[InLiverpool]

Hi

I have never had a hospital or consultant referral or diagnosis I have only been assessed by my GP using the standard guidelines. She sent me away with a checklist to complete and when I returned stated I clearly met all the criteria for a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia.

I have since been seen my employers occupational health service and they fully accepted the diagnosis and I have since had adjustments made to my sickness absence ( an increased Bradford Factor score) and some flexibility in my start times - my manager allows me the occasional 'duvet' day.

Diagnosis is not an exact or clinical science so you do not need a medical specialist for diagnosis many have been diagnosed by their GP - incidentally the GP who assessed me was a very young GP and they tend to be more aware and more confident in assessing Fibromyalgia.

Good Luck

[Horsesgalore]

A 2 year wait seems excessive, I am assuming that is to see a rheumatologist? It was an 8 month wait where I lived, so I went online and checked the waiting times for hospitals I was prepared to travel to and discovered I would only have to wait 8 weeks for an appointment at Guys in London, so asked my GP to refer me there and after theey diagnosed fibro I am now under the care of their pain management team.

I would also speak to your work even though you don't yet have a diagnosis, explain you have chronic widespread pain and the investigations/tests you are having and your wait for a rheumy appointment.

All the best.

[loraine12]

I was faced with this so I paid privately and it was worth every penny. I saw a leading rheumatologist who wrote a long report explaining fibromyalgia and my prognosis got me my pension £150 well spent x

[Stats1985]

Thank you everyone for your comments. Tried telling work.... And have doctor next month x

[Cavaliers]

Hi stats. I printed off an article on fibromyalgia with all the symptoms on it. I ticked every box then asked to see a rheumatologist. When I showed him the article and explained how I felt he diagnosed me there and then and sent a letter to my GP. Hope this helps.

[KnackeredKaty]

I'm a nurse and I worry all the time about the day I can't work anymore. I have really been struggling this year and I'm only 55.