Day 5

[ConnorDunn21]

Still can't walk. Partner advised me to ring ambulance. 101 said ambulance would arrive within 2 hours. 2 hours pass. Phone call from Nottingham. Detailed explanation given on my pain and symptoms I've been suffering, near broke down on the phone. Was told it's not an emergency and that I'll be contacted by a gp. If a man can't walk for 5 days and has to crawl to the bathroom, I ask, when is it an emergency?

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Sorry you are struggling so much with this flare - however ambulance service will give priority to life threatening conditions over pain

[Dinkie]

So sorry to hear you are struggling to cope with your flare. With ambulances at breaking point I suppose they feel that if you have been in a flare for 5 days then it wouldn't be classed as an emergency such as road traffic accident, heart attack and the like. Hopefully a GP will come and do a home visit for you pretty quickly then if he/she considers ambulance transferral needed they can request one.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

Alternatively I would use a taxi to go to A&E. If you think an ambulance was required then a visit to A&E would be warranted.

Alternatively going to GP on an emergency appointment. I am presuming the pain is making walking very difficult as opposed to being immobile due to a break or issue like that.

With you not being diagnosed yet the support on here may not match with what you actually have or your situation may be different than others. You need to get yourself in front of a GP and get them to help. A diary has been suggested and this will help. A&E / ambulance or hospitals will only give short term relief if any at all. You really need a GP on your side helping you.

And if they are not then alternate doctor or PALS will be your next step.

[Purplegirl70]

So sorry to hear what you're going through. I just wanted to relay my story before you consider going to A&E. My mobility has been declining for a while but it has now reached the point when I am housebound. Recently my GP became so concerned that after a home visit he ordered an ambulance for me and tried to get me a bed at my local hospital. Unfortunately he could not get through to the people who sort out beds so after being transported to A&E by ambulance, waiting for 3 hours, I was sent home, dragging my overnight bag with me. The NHS is under so much pressure that unless it is an absolute emergency you'll probably be sent home more deflated and dejected. Sorry to be the bearer of misery.

[Aurorasparkle]

Sorry your flare is so bad but I don't think it warrants an ambulance. You need to go and see your GP for assessment as other posters have said.

[Kitten-whiskers]

I am so sorry you are suffering so much Connor, this is terrible and the call back saying you would be contacted by a GP must have been heart breaking.

I used to be like you, near to being housebound, pain terrible, feeling like hell, no sleep etc - I used to go to the doctors and my experiences what they were making the situation worse, loading up the body with strong pain meds is not helping, just trying to mask the problem, I can not tolerate medications very well at all, so I had to find another way and thankfully I found the wonderful Dr Leon Chaitow - he has an amazing book on Fibro and muscle pain, and I have followed his advice and others, and now thankfully I am alot better than I was then, not fully better but a world of difference to how I was then. I work full time, am able to manage all the chores, and do lots of cooking from stratch, go on the treadmill, go out bird watching and taking photos - none of this was possible before. I just laid in bed, barely had the engery to move my fingers.

You can get the book for next to nothing or you maybe able to hire it from the library, when i read the book it made me really happy because it was clear he had a real understanding of fibro and our suffering, and he reported how many people actually recovered, its a light in a dark tunnel, its a long road but one worth taking

Take care

Debs

[15beansoup in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

sounds like it was life-changing for you !! I am so happy for you !! I can't imagine reading a book and it changing everything for me. I will have to give it a read, Thank you for sharing this info with us

[Kitten-whiskers in reply to 15beansoup]

Your very welcome, he is amazing and much loved around the world, He got fan mail, thats how good he is, sadly he past away last year, which really is a great lose. There are you tube videos of him performing Trigger Point Therapy and even a radio show. That book and a couple of this others are the best books I've ever read, and as you say life chaning. I wish you the best of luck

[15beansoup in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Thank you I will watch them

[Kitten-whiskers]

Can you, thats fantastic news. Yes its called Fibromyalgia & Muscle Pain - your self-treatment guide. Yes I am not too bad, this gut program is really helping, really looking forward to the next step, Hope you are ok?

[bobbybobb]

Did you manage to get any help with your symptoms.

[ConnorDunn21]

I went to the hospital, an ambulance picked me up, had blood taken, had heart rate and bp took, told me that everything was fine after me waiting 3 hours and then wheeled me out in a wheelchair and left me to sort a way back. No one seemed to question the fact I couldn't walk, a nurse laughed at me and claimed fibromyalgia doesn't affect people as young as I, so yes, the few who said it would be a wasted journey were correct, but excuse me for worrying about the fact I hadn't walked in 5 days, people saying book a taxi haven't though about how I'd make it down the stairs safely then get out the house. Although after a few tramadol I'm able to stand again. Appointment tomorrow, see what gets said at the consultation

[marilynmcl]

Och laddie...I haven't walked because of the pain in my legs for over 3 years now...and not sleeping just broken napping due again to pain ...I can't take Tramadol because of stomach problems...also word is that prolonged use of same can lead to problems....anyway, I have gabapentin which do nothing to relieve pain in any way! I have to use wheelchair or mobility scooter to get out and about or I would be housebound completely. I have bathroom and bedroom upstairs so I have to use a potty if I cannot get upstairs...diahorrea can be a nightmare when I would be on the toilet a whole night. I have never thought of calling for an ambulance when I have been on tremendous pain where I thought that the bones in my knees were coming through the skin....I just cry a lot and hope the pain will eventually subside. So, I do sympathise with you but some times I think you just need to put up with what life is chucking at you as best you can. But, good luck at your appointment and hope you get some degree of relief. Best wishes pet.