Help with fibromyalga

[ace16]

I've suffered and expected I might have fibromyalga for the past couple of years but my doctor always skates over the idea. For years I've suffered from aches, pains with migraines and headaches. With this I was diagnosed with sinus polyps with which I've had many failed operations to remove. My headaches are very persistent but that aside my aches and pains are increasing daily and so are other symptoms such as memory issues especially with words and general tasks. I've got to really carefully think about a sentence before speaking it and still fumble for words mid sentence. Every part of me aches, muscles and joints from fingers, shoulders, wrists and back and so on. I don't know what to do and what help there might be for me. Should I change my Doctor or keep on at this one.?

[seren1970]

I would see another doctor and ask to see ask them to do the trigger point test I hope you get the help you need a good doctor who understands fibromyalgia is hard to find good luck 😉 xx

[Mdaisy in reply to seren1970]

ace16 I would concur that seeing another GP would be best but would like to mention that the Trigger Point Test (used from Myofascial Pain Syndrome sometimes it can occur alongside Fibro) is not the part of the American College (ACR) of Rheumatology diagnostic criteria for Fibromyalgia.

The ACR Criteria has adapted it's criteria to include other symptoms and it's severity which was welcomed as when it was solely the Tender Point Test people scoring less that 11 out of 18 were slipping through the net with no appropriate & timely diagnosis. Here's a link about the ACR Criteria and about how it is diagnosed which may be of interest;

acrabstracts.org/abstract/2...

Hope this helps

Emma

[seren1970 in reply to Mdaisy]

I meant tender point test a rheumatologist done that on me xxx

[Mdaisy in reply to seren1970]

No problem, just had to clarify to this new member the differences and provide info on ACR Criteria as you can understand

[Mdaisy]

Welcome to the FMAUK Community !

Just to add to my previous comments that if you struggle with your GP surgery you have a few options, some of which are mentioned below;

- ask the different GP to refer you to a Rheumatologist (although GPs can diagnose Fibromyalgia in primary care) and ask for this to be documented that you asked in your notes especially if they refuse

- complete the FMAUK website form to get a medical pack sent to your GPs practice, here's the link

fmauk.org/information-packs...

- if another GP is unhelpful or dismissive write a complaint to Practice Manager about your inadequate healthcare

- take your complaint further but in the meantime change surgeries (if necessary) to get the help you need. Ask around about Fibro -friendly GPs - this shouldn't happen but some people have verbalised needing to change practices due to issues and misunderstanding.

I also noticed as a newbie to the community that this post is not locked to this community only. If you wish to do this, here's a link to explain and show you how;

healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

If you need any help or further questions do not hesitate to contact the FMAUK Admin team

All the best

Emma

[Hidden]

Maybe see another doctor in the practice? inists on referal to rheumatologist or neurologist for confirmation, without that you cannot claim benefits like PIP as a gp is not accepted as the diagnoser, they can be wrong- try to get some specialist physio and ask them if they can refer you for hydrotherapy.

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

With the greatest of respect, PIP and other benefits will accept a diagnosis by a GP - and remember, with PIP it is not a diagnosis which counts anyway, but how you are affected on a daily basis.

A GP can diagnose Fibro equally as well as any consultant. x

[Hidden in reply to M0AL61]

This may differ from county to county the assessorsI in the north refused to accept my sister recently for Pip without a diagnosis from a consultant,,their excuse was g.p,S can recognise symptoms but there are other illness with similar symptoms .some years ago I came up with the same excuse with the same firm is assessors.

[Mdaisy in reply to Hidden]

So sorry you experienced this but this should be made into a formal complaint about the assessor through the relevant channels. The changes to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) diagnostic criteria were made to aid diagnosis and in part to help GPs diagnose in Primary Care. See the quote below and link to website;

Diagnosis of FMS is performed mostly in the primary care setting. However, tender point examination rarely is performed in this setting, and when it is performed, it often is done incorrectly.3,4

The 2010 ACR criteria were aimed at simplifying the diagnosis of FMS and being suitable for use in primary care practice without requiring a tender point examination.

rheumatologynetwork.com/fib...

GPs can diagnose many issues not just Fibromyalgia and I'm sure that there are illnesses that do not need to be referred to a consultant to diagnose. I've recently been diagnosed with ME as well as Fibromyalgia by the GP and this was accepted on PIP with no questions asked

The fault of the assessor to not accept this should be challenged and it should not meant that people automatically believe everyone needs a consultant diagnosis to claim PIP. I understand your experiences but I would say that this should be questioned - more ongoing issues with the welfare system is not fit for purpose.

Emma

[ace16 in reply to Mdaisy]

Only through this forum I have now heard of this PIP. It's not my intention to claim any sort of benefits through any believed condition I may or may not have. I just seek help with what I'm going through and if there are any other channels I can go through to aquire the help I need. I understand most people's symptoms may vary and not all diagnosis and remedies are the same. I just feel like I'm trying to understand my body again, many changes I don't like and find hard adjusting to.

Just to clarify I'm in the UK.

[Mdaisy in reply to ace16]

I understand this is a community for Fibromyalgia Action UK and my reply above is a comment towards another member who commented on your thread

I wish you well in finding a DR to help you find a diagnosis - if not you have other options as I’ve mentioned if you have difficulty.

Emma

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

From my experience I agree with others ask to see a different gp, some really still do skate over like you say and you need some answers and a referral to a rheumatologist if they are not willing to diagnose themselves . Mdaisy has written some really helpful replies for you, I hope you find the forum helpful to read other members experiences and helpful tips, take care and hope you can get an appointment very soon .