Could my pain be attributed to Fybromyalgia?

[Touchthewild]

Hello. I'm Philip

For many years, I have suffered with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Lately it has spread throughout my limbs from originally feet to lower limbs and now as far as my hips.

I was diagnosed with sciatica, then trochanteric pain syndrome. I have never had faith in these diagnosis and recently has spread to my left upper arm.

I have been prescribed most medicines related to neuropathy and lately to ever increasing doses of Oxycodone. I'm still in permanent, almost chronic pain but can get no further with my GP. My thoughts turn to Fybromyalgia. I wonder if anyone else has experienced similar conditions. I am at my wit's end

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

Hi Philip,

I have both fibromyalgia and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. For me the fibro diagnosis came first, before I developed diabetes.

Personally for me there are times when it's difficult to distinguish whether it's the diabetes or the fibro causing the pain, so I would say that it's very possible that you have fibro too.

Is there another GP in the surgery that you could see? Do you see a diabetic consultant periodically to check on your diabetes? If so, perhaps mention to them and see if they can do anything for you …. maybe refer you to a rheumatologist.

Failing all that, I would think about changing your GP, but if you did decide to do this I would ring around other surgeries first and ask if they can tell you if any of their GP's have an understanding of fibro.

Good luck.

[Touchthewild in reply to M0AL61]

Thanks. I should add that by following a very low calorie diet, I 'cured' type 2 diabetes. One can never be completely cured but for the last 2 years, I have had no need for any diabetes medication. But, the damage is done. I accept the pain in my feet to be neuropathy.

As for my GP. I live in an island village community and have no resident GP. We are served by visiting doctor's, rotating every two weeks, hardly ever the same one twice. The only other possible choice would be on the mainland.

Nine of the locums of late seem interested in initiating any new approach, particularly at the suggestion from the patient. Perhaps one day a keen young doctor will take an interest. Till then, I'll see what turns up

[Blackwitch]

Hi Philip

I agree with Moal61. Try & get a referral to a rheumatologist.

Nic 🙂

[Judithdalston]

I am an insulin dependent diabetic, hypothyroid with autoimmune antibodies (Hashimoto’s) and have fibromyalgia. I have had all over pain, weakness , exhaustion and at different times neural tingling/ dizziness/ vertigo, forgetting everyday words etc etc, and about 3 years ago extreme stabbing-like pain in knees and legs. I had physio, acupuncture, plus tests and scans to rule out possible causes and was finally sent to a rheumatologist to diagnose fibromyalgia with paired pain points. I have tried to improve various possible causes of the fibro pain, but it is very slow going ( improved thyroid ‘meds’ and raised FT3, raised folate, ferritin, b12 and vit D levels with supplements , and recent b12 injections). Unfortunately been conscious that some of these ‘improvements’ have raised my blood sugar levels, so some pain/ tingling may be diabetic neuropathy now. I do think the T3 thyroid hormone did unstiffen my hips that had me 24/7 on sofa winter before last. So like MOAL61 i find it can be difficult to unpick which symptoms go with which diagnosis as they all merge; my hypothyroidism does highlight the value of good optimal vitamin/ mineral levels ( the Hashimoto’s being characterised by poor gut absorption thus low nutrient levels)...so might be worth just getting b12 and calcium, vit d, iron ( ferritin) and vit d tested, even if only to rule out, or get further tested or supplemented, as a starter. Fibromyalgia diagnosis is largely one of exclusion, then in my nhs region, you just get painkillers ( eg amitriptyline) to cope (rather similar re diabetes...never seen a dr. despite becoming insulin dependent from ‘routine’ bile duct procedure giving me septic shock and acute pancreatitis in intensive care); some areas offer more, with pain management clinics, exercise etc. I try to walk10,000 steps a day but in last 6 months do struggle as after first 5,000 walk I fall asleep and too exhausted to do full next 5,000. I keep a record with fasting blood sugar, basal body temp. ( low, rarely over 36C), bp, pulse, along with ‘meds’, blood results, steps/ activities, how I feel etc to try to take active control of my own health and look for long- term patterns....might support you, and your doctor, to diagnose you. Good luck.