How to I approach my Gp with Questions

My Mum passed away in May 2014 and slowly since then my health as deteriorated I don't go to the gp with every aches and pains but in October 2015 my husband forced me to seek help and I was put on anti depressants, they my osteoarthritis kick in in my knee, I have always suffered with IBS, and migraines when stressed, but since the osteoarthritis diagnosis in my right knee ( diagnosed via MRI) I have slowly declined including spasms in the groin joint that take my breathe away and cant move until its over, (When your outside its embarrassing). on xray nothing shows up, leaves you feeling like the gp thinks you are imaging the pain. I have difficulty sleeping often the legs spasms during the night, waking through the night with aches and pains throughout the whole body. getting more and more headaches mainly due to lack of sleep and stress. I went to the shop the other day and bought a couple of items less than 2kg in total. carried them the short distance to the car. for an whole hour + after wards my hands and arms were throbbing. I am only 45 and this is ridiculously effecting my life I take 30mg co-codamol mostly 2 tablets at night but I am still in pain. I also suffer with dizzy spells which is being treated as Vertigo. ( all my symptoms are treat individually)

I heard recently the term Fibromyalgia and most of the symptoms seems to match what I have read how to approach the gp with the question is it Fibromyalgia.

[FRreedman]

It may be a better idea to book a double appointment with your GP, and you can then tell him, in detail, everything that is bothering you, maybe write a list and give it to him. A lot of doctors would prefer you to tell them what is wrong or what hurts or doesn't work properly, rather than tell them you think it maybe this or that illness, (they feel they have had years of training and don't like competing with Dr Patient and Dr Google), it depends what you want, do you want a diagnosis of a particular condition? or do you want an improvement in symptoms? Does it make a difference if you are diagnosed with one particular condition, or something completely different? As long as they can sort it out, I wouldn't worry, too much, about it's name.

[Hidden in reply to FRreedman]

That makes sense the name is not important I just want the pain and symptoms reduced.

[FRreedman in reply to Hidden]

If your GP is still treating all symptoms as individual items, and there is no improvement, you can ask to be referred to a rheumatologist or neurologist, as they treat the whole body, and not just one or two symptoms.

[acuratalo in reply to Hidden]

I do think giving a name to what you are going thru is important. I have been suffering for over 5 years. It wasn't until I got a diagnosis that my gp really believed what I was saying. Just thought I would give my opinion. No disrespect

[bobbybobb]

I think it would be frustrating if you went away from an appointment and not approached what was on your mind. You don't have to go in with a self diagnosis but you could approach your GP by giving him a list of you symptoms. Then, using phrases like, do you think there may be a possibility it could be something like fibromyalgia. That way your directly asking the opinion and advice of your GP.

[Hidden in reply to bobbybobb]

I agree I have always talked about individual symptoms and come away none the wiser

[bobbybobb in reply to Hidden]

He may have a few ideas and even do tests to rule other things out.

[Hidden]

sometimes trial and error on meds get your there..Have you any muscles weakness or pain like lower back or maybe pelvic pain "once am month" sometimes the trauma of losing a loved one sets off allsorts (with me it was hidden fibro) if your g.p isnt helpful maybe see someone else a lady g.p perhaps,, there are such consultants as an Endocrinologist who look at the whole body rather than one specific thing like O.A. they will diagnose you but the wait to see one might be lengthy

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I even a couple of years ago asked to be referred to the Arthritis doctor my gp said there's no point all they would suggest is surgery. My knee osteoarthritis I feel doesn't need surgery it's painful but manageable. But the assessor from pip suggests that I could have injections but gp not willing to refer.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My g.

. Surgery have partners who can give steroid injections may be ask the receptionist when u book an appt.if there is doctor who does this and book with that one.

[skit]

Please do write down a diary honestly of where pains are what your mood is like ,things you are finding hard to do. That is a good start point. Dr Google , Mr Patient at this stage you are not really. If GP continues to treat each symptom separately ask for a referral to a consultant either neurology or rheumatology . It may mean a few tests to rule out things like Lupus, Thyroid or vitamin/hormone issues. Try and be patient it is aslo worth taking a friend or family member to the consultant date so they can process the information you can miss.

[Hidden in reply to skit]

Thanks I am treated each symptoms individually I have had hypo throidism since 1999. Migraines all my life but only diagnosed in 2008. IBS diagnosed in 1991 but not on treatment I can cope with this. But the most debilitating the upper leg spasm in the groin joint, the lower back pain the nightly leg spasms. I have regular blood tests for vitamin, thyroid, cholesterol, ect rheumatoid arthritis ruled out.

[RayB in reply to Hidden]

Shabana,

If it were me I would be adding some Magnesium in for the debilitating spasms and nightly spasms,, it may also help with the lower back pain.

Avoid Magnesium Oxide,, which is usualy the only form that the high street health shops seem to keep : It's tends just to run through you,,,, even worse is the Epsom Salts (Magnesium Sulphate) both perform poorly when it comes to bioavailability so best avoided especialy with the IBS, epsom salts is fine in a bath as you will possibly take up a little bit of it,,, but so little it's hardly worth talking about and it can irritate the skin in some.

Magnesium Citrate powder, is really the way to go and gets rid of the poor bioavailability of the other versions,,, you will find it easly on an online auction.

I use NOW brand

About 1/4 to 1/3 of a tsp stired into a bit of water two or three times a day,,, the dose before bed is great for the night time spasms.

Best Wishes, Ray

[Hidden in reply to RayB]

That's sounds good, I will try find it now.. Thanks for the suggestion

Best wishes Shabana

[RayB in reply to Hidden]

Your very wellcome!

Ray

[Hidden in reply to skit]

Also I had never heard of Fibromyalgia until my daughter suggested it. She works in an hospital pharmacy. Then I looked into symptoms online but of course online is only a guide not 100% accurate just getting frustrated.

[Badbessie]

Personally I would say to your GP that you would value his opinion. Make a list of your symptoms. Then give a brief run down of all the tests you have had. Do not worry about them being negative or not showing anything as with fibromyalgia it can be diagnostic itself. Present it logically and state that with my symptoms and lack of positive results for other conditions does he think there is any possibility it could fibromyalgia?

[Julesubu]

To start your Gp should check your bloods including those to rule out Rheumatoid arthritis. If these are normal and they can find no other cause than fibromyalgia likely as migraines and ibs can be part of syndrome.

I had oa in knee at 38 and found an Arthroscopy did help as do steroid injections. 10 years on now not so much.

The problem with the knee is that we often change our gait to compensate. I get hideous pelvic, back pains walking any distance due to not bending knees when walk. If I bend my knees they hyper extend and give way.

Get other causes ruled out and get referred to Ortho about knee surgery. Hopefully will get some relief for sometime.

[Hidden]

Sadly my gp not that keen on referring but seeing a different gp on Saturday so I approach the questions to her

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer]

healthunlocked.com/fibromya..., hello there you have had some very helpful replies, yes a good idea to book a double appointment and have a chat with the doctor, you have my empathy having suffered with migraines a couple of times now recently. Yes reducing the pain s would be very beneficial and no reason why doctor will not monitor you with symptoms with blood tests etc, then sometimes if they cannot make a decision they make a referral for you to a rheumatologist for further investigation. Ive posted a link above if you would like to lock your posts as then only our community can see and not open to any other site engines on the internet, take care.

[Hidden in reply to YASMINTINA]

Sorry to sound a little bit thick. I can not work out how I lock to this community only so not to share with other social media sites

[YASMINTINA FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Hi again , oh gosh your not thick it’s just abit of advice, when you send a post like you’ve just done you will see at the bottom. anyone can see with a little circle and another will say only our community can see with a little circle so click on that one xx

[Hidden in reply to YASMINTINA]

Thank you I will keep that in mind

[Nonactive]

Hey shabana 74..I was wondering why you only take your cocodamol 30/500 med at night?It isn't a particularly strong pain med so I am guessing maybe it makes your dizzyness worse which i then can understand your reasons...I hope you get some relief and answers soon..

[Hidden in reply to Nonactive]

I agree it's not particuly strong but it's codeine based which is sadly very addictive. Being scared of getting addicted I then take as less as possible although some days I be a little naughty start of with that at night time, then ibruphen if it doesn't settle then my husbands tramadol if the pain doesn't settle and a sleeping pill then I get about 4 to 6 hours sleep although I probably should not do that but when the pain is bad at night I really need it Best wishes Shabana

[Nonactive]

Completely understand although please realise if you, as you are taking codeine for genuine pain you do not become addicted but you do become dependant which is a different outcome but appreciate your concerns ..Best wishes to you and goodluck with your GP..

[Vivalaviv in reply to Nonactive]

Thx for that info about the difference between dependence & addiction. Like intolerance & allergy the 2 seem to be used together but meanings are different.

[Nonactive in reply to Vivalaviv]

So true

[penny]

This is left field...but have you any abdominal scars?

[Hidden]

I had my gall bladder removed in 1994 aged 19 and a gastric bypass in 2012 both through keyhole surgery is this information any help?