Looking for a Fibro specialist

[MC23]

Hi, I’m looking for recommendations for a private consultant as I am not getting anywhere with the NHS. I am willing to travel across the UK to find someone who supports that this is a genuine physical condition and not just “in my head”. Any suggestions/recommendations with comments about experiences with that doctor would be a massive help.

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

hi, do not know about private consultants - but if you are able to travel, there are 2 hospitals in London and one in Bath which have specialist fibromyalgia clinics that you could maybe be referred to. (Guys & St Thomas and the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, and the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases). xxx

[Zigabella in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Royal hospital for rheumatic diseases in Bath is rxcellent

[Nelly1]

There are 2 specialists in the Berkshire Area (not sure where you are?) Dr Deepak Ravindran and Dr Antony Chan, both specialists in Fibromyalgia

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee in reply to Nelly1]

having spoken to Deepak recently he seems very switched on

[JC74]

Hi, I’m seeing Dr Ravindran today he’s based in Reading, I was diagnosed last year by Rheumatology , currently going through Ill health retirement. Work have are paying for a specialist report which will hopefully help my case. I can let you know later how it went.

[Smikra]

In Chicago in the U S my daughter sees Dr. David Edelberg who has written a book on Fibromyalgia.

[Horsesgalore]

I asked to be referred to Guys Hospital as although I live in Essex I work in London & guys only had a 7 week wait. The first rheumy I saw ruled out lots of things, got an mri ordered which found my lumbar OA. I then saw a rheumy called Dr Ng, she specialises in fibro, was very thorough & helpful & diagnosed me. She also referred me to the excellent pain management course at Still Thomas.

[Mdaisy]

I also years ago was under Guys and St Thomas and saw Dr Ernest Choy who was excellent in his compsssion and understanding. At the time, my GP fought for this NHS referral as from a different pot within primary care budget so goes to panel. It seems less and less have the opportunity to be referred due to NHS financial constraints.

If you cannot be referred here or to Bath Hospital and have an income for private treatment there is a FMS Clinic in London to see I believe Dr Jenner - a pain specialist.

Hope you find the help you deserve and unfortunately we all here can recall a time when we have been treated like ‘it’s all in our heads’ so can sympathise with you.

Let’s all keep trying to promote change by raising much needed awareness

Emma

[Marz]

I was diagnosed with Fibro by a Consultant Rheumatologist back in 2000. This was after a GP diagnosis of PMR - Polymyalgic Rheumatica ( excuse spelling ! )

In 2004 I moved to Crete and in 2005 I was diagnosed with Hashimotos - auto-immune thyroiditis. This opened new doors and enabled me to research my condition as I was by now retired Once I had learnt about the thyroid and vitamin and mineral deficiencies my health began to improve hugely. The active thyroid hormone T3 is needed in every cell of the body - trillions and trillions of them. Rarely tested on the NHS - so heck how would you know ! If the T3 is low then there is not enough to go around - rather like trying to spread a teaspoon of butter on a whole loaf of bread

I continue to have painful muscles and other issues with movement - like balance. I have B12 injections weekly - keep my VitD levels over 100 - Folate and Ferritin are mid-range. So monitoring your results can be helpful. Also keeping a food diary will help to identify the foods that can cause gut inflammation - followed by pain ... I also have Crohns.

I feel we need more Functional Medical Practitioners in the UK that look at the whole body rather than each symptom in isolation - Dr Neil Nathan looks at health in a different way - starting with the Adrenals. Good old fashioned medicine - checking the basics before making a diagnosis.

I appreciate I have not answered your question - but based on my own experience - not one doc can make you well. We have to read and read as we are all so individual - and find what suits. I wish you well ...

[Nelly1]

Here are 2 links to the 2 I said.

circlehealth.co.uk/rehabili...

spirehealthcare.com/consult...