Seriously annoyed

[ClareCrip]

I have tendonitis in my right hand/wrist at the moment, diagnosed by GP who prescribed anti inflammatory pills and suggested I went to the drop in physiotherapy clinic at the local hospital. They’ve given me a sheet of exercises, and the instruction not to do any moves that are painful, and decided that I really need to go to the Fibromyalgia clinic. No I don’t, this has nothing to do with fibro. It really bugs me when everything gets related to fibro and not dealt with just for what it is.

I guess I’d better show willing and go but cannot see what they will now find to offer me. I’ve been living this life for over 30 years, read everything there is to read, done the pain management course (20 years or so too late and I knew all the exercises and the order they would suggest them in!) . I manage and pace it very successfully, take the medication and check everything out with my sons and daughter-in-law, who are all doctors, if at all doubtful. Grrrrrrrrr!

[Hidden]

I totally get it,I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 3yrs ago then not even yr later I said I am experiencing different kind of pain I believe that's why u drs were stomped for so long as to the different pains I had been describing so then I was sent to be checked and I had also osteoarthritis then,,I had to get checked for different pain also and got diagnosed with dercums disease I have three of top ten most painful illnesses in world and others.but.stick to your guns don't be afraid to use the words...this just isn't good enough.they'll soon get active.best of luck let me know how you get on.

[KnackeredKaty]

When a practitioner starts to get patronising with you again, remind them that you are an expert patient. That often tempers a poor attitude.

[ClareCrip in reply to KnackeredKaty]

I did, told her I’d been dealing with this for over 30 years and I didn’t see the point. Said the same on the feedback form. It’s always the trouble with moving to new areas though, they seem to need you to jump through all the hoops again. It’s annoying, but I doubt I’ll lose any sleep over it..

It’s the total irrelevance that bugs me though when you go with one specific issue and they steer you into the fibro box again. Somehow the GP diagnosis isn’t good enough, which is insulting to the GP apart from anything else!

[KnackeredKaty in reply to ClareCrip]

I completely agree with you. What needs to change is health workers need to show you respect for your knowledge and experience. How you manage that is a difficult prospect.

[Kazhc]

My problem EACTLY! The go says everything is because of Fibro, well actually no it isn’t I have other completely unrelated issues that need alternative treatment that are not anything to do with Fibro; I call it an excuse to do nothing!

[KnackeredKaty in reply to Kazhc]

An easy cop out for doctors!!!!😡

[ClareCrip in reply to KnackeredKaty]

Except in my case the doctor called it right, it was a physiotherapist who insisted on the fibro route.

[Hidden]

Hi ClareCrip,

I had many issues (Fibro, Osteoarthritis, Chronic Pain Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) recently diagnosed.

I still don’t buy it. I have a feeling that menopause and migraines play a role and also modern technology (touchscreens, touchpads). If we take the time to analyse our daily lives (past and present) it’s obvious that technology has changed things dramatically and all changes come with a cost.

Many doctors are ready to put a name on a condition and prescribe medication. Few doctors have the time and effort to actually know their pacients and give good lifestyle changes advice. There’s also a widespread culture of treating the disease instead of the patient. It’s easier but usually expensive and ineffective.

I think self knowledge is essential alongside the scientific knowledge and patient’s experience we can get from the internet.

[bluebell99]

I have long believed there is a tick box attitude by some doctors and you do really have to attend physio, try new meds, take antidepressants, (the pain and lack of mobility in many cases causes you to be depressed, it is not the depression causing the pain), you have to go to a pain clinic, try CBT, or group therapy and then finally you get some kind of answer and hopefully a referral to the proper department. The doctor knows the procedure and he knows that you know, but you have to rigidly stick to the rules before anything can be done.

A friend had to go through the system before she was offered a knee replacement. It took nearly two years. Another is still at the physio stage with her knee. It is not working, how can it when she has widespread and severe osteoarthritis? But no, she has to follow procedure.

Of course you also have to factor in the waiting time for appointments for all the different departments, my pain clinic appointment took 9 months. I learnt nothing new.

What a waste of everybody's time and NHS money when you know what the outcome will be from the start.

I am in my mid sixties, I KNOW what is wrong with me, most people my age have enough life experience to work things out for themselves. Still we have to go through the motions.

It is extremely frustrating.

[LornaAnne_X]

I am absolutely feeling your pain.. it's like having the diagnosis fibromyalgia is like having a hex on you doctors just don't take it seriously! I've been told by a few different doctors I have tendonitis in my right hand over the past few years I have very little feeling left In it now I get pains that shoot down my arm I spent the other morning crying because I couldn't put a French plat in my little girls hair for viking day =( sad I know but it all could so easily of been prevented if only they had listened to me Xx