Diagnosis of Fibromyalgia is it a way of saving the Health Services time and money in investigation.

[Medical61]

What I found really disconcerting was when a friend told me to look at the website fibromyass.com. I suffer from multiple other conditions which show up under test. Is it that Doctors find it easier to give one diagnosis for a catch all named fibromyalgia rather than carry out extensive tests which are often expensive. Even the doctor who first named the syndrome now believes he is wrong.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

I dont like a lot on fibromyass but I agree with a lot of things they say. 200+ symptoms is inaccurate and not helpful from a legitimizing point of view. Blood test is not proven and rheumis feel that they can do little with fibro.

I am sure that in the 1900-1920s there were people dismissing research into diabetes as there has been with other conditions. Fredrick Wolfe is still conducting research into fibro with a paper in 2019 talking about "considerable disagreement between ICD clinical diagnosis and criteria‐based diagnosis of fibromyalgia, calling into question ICD‐based studies. Fibromyalgia criteria were easy to use, but problems regarding clinician bias, meaning of a fibromyalgia diagnosis, and the validity of physician diagnosis were substantial."

If there was a pretext of saving money by giving fibro as a diagnosis then this would be done prior to all the exclusionary tests. It would also not factor in all the repeat GP visits and appointments that happen.

Back to the rheumis point of view they are to have pity on them as they have us with expectations of great help but we are a problem without an instruction manual. Bit like a game of snakes and ladders without the ladders.

[T-hurts]

I know how you feel they tried to say I had fibromyalgia, but after having an emg and came back showing muscle damage and now have to have muscle biopsy they think I might have myotitis, so quick to palm you off keep going back I have. Been getting chest pain tightness short of breath my Rhumatologist tried saying it’s just muscle spasms had ecg it was abnormal. You feel that they are wrong keep going back it your body.

[Hidden]

Hi Medical61,

Spot on, very well said.

It’s taken me 6 years, to get one of them to request MRI to rule out other conditions.

The toll it has taken on my mental health by letting me suffer all these years and making me think there is nothing wrong with me as all blood tests have come clear. Disgraceful to say the least.

We have to keep fighting, when we can. X

[Palioly]

You asked about Tramadol I believe ? As far as I know it is a relatively powerful opiate, but probably below Morphine in strength, but equally above Coedine. It will have the same addictiveness as Morphine, but will deal with the pain and probably give you constipation.

Some opiates become less effective the longer you take them. Ask again if you seek more.