Could it be fibromyalgia

[Notebook30]

I’ve been under a lot of stress this year.

My dad passed away suddenly the end of January from silent coronary heart disease when I was 6 months pregnant and I had to keep going for the birth. I’ve had no time to grieve.

Shortly after my daughter was born (via cesarean) I started to get heightened levels of anxiety return and numbness/tingling in my hands and feet. Then came cold sensations throughout which now seems to of turned into widespread burning. It all comes and goes and moves about randomly. I also have excruciating neck/back pain and lack of attention. I find I can’t control my temperature at times too.

I am so worried.

I’ve contacted my doctor several time’s and they ran blood work saying it’s all ok.

Due to covid they are not seeing me in person and have put me on sertraline and basically left me to it.

I am starting to wonder could I have fibromyalgia? I was reading it can be triggered after big life events such as a death of a loved one, surgery, childbirth. That’s 3 things I’ve been through in less than 6 months!

I feel everything is catching up with me now. I just want to feel better.

If anyone here could tell me what triggered your fibromyalgia and what bothered you to get help from your doctor that would be really helpful.

How do the doctors even diagnose it?

Thank you x

[mybehcetsxx]

Hey,

My heart goes out to im sorry for your grieve this must very difficult for you of course.

At the same time congratulations on the birth of your child.

You are defo having your fair share of Intense emotions, but being may offer you some answers and help ease some of your pain hopefully.

My story... well diagnosed a couple of years back. To cut a long story I had my second child in 2008 natural birth no pain relief, I was smug it was so easy. Until I had to go to surgery to help with my placenta, I was given am epidural. Two days later I was paralysed and told to lay flat for 24hours, something to do with the epidural travelling up my spine.

After 24hours I was completly fine.

2 weeks later my 3 year old was rushed into hospital due to undiagnosed diabetes he was ketoacidotis I almost lost him.

After that i lost a year of life, dont remember much of my babies just caring for them like a nurse .

I believe that was my trigger. .

Stress is the worse 😫

I didnt deal with it all too well.

Hopefully you have a good and understanding support network, dont try and deal alone take the help xxx

[mybehcetsxx]

Also until you have confirmed diagnoses of anything then really try to hang in.

Your body and mind is taking a beating so the reaction to any stress is pain. Fibro or not.

Way, way, way, easier said than done, I know, but try to find ways to help through your grieve.

I haven't lost anyone that close to me so I'm completly out my league, but I do know how to manage stress a lot better now and i do know how mu body LITERALLY responds to mu feelings and thoughts.

you have been through so much already x

[M0AL61 Moderator Volunteer]

It's thought by many that trauma and/or stress is a trigger for fibromyalgia, and I believe that to be the case for myself.

I would write to or email your GP and ask if you can have a referral to a rheumatologist. You might be more likely to get a diagnosis, although a GP can also diagnose you. xx

[PP78]

Hi @Notebook30,

I’m so sorry for your loss. I can sympathise after losing my Father unexpectedly at the end of May (undiagnosed Cancer). It’s so difficult isn’t it, and I’m not sure it’s hit me yet either.

As others have said, it is often considered that some sort of trauma - physical or emotional/mental, can trigger FM. That’s also how it was described to me by a Private GP.

I think it was a coming together of a lot of things - lots of stressors, that caused it in me. Though it’s hard to be 100%..........I was going through a very stressful time at work, with a lot of pressure and expectation, but little help and support. Then at exactly the same time managing a house move, and 1 week after moving in had severe ‘flu (in bed for 10 days unable to get up, with 40deg temp for 3 days).

I think my body just decided enough was enough and now I have FM.

The diagnosis but was harder. I had to push and push for it, and basically “take control” of referrals and appointments. It took 18 months, including paying for a private GP (the first medical person to suggest either FM or CFS). It was well worth the cost, as I was able to then take that report/letter back to my GP and the rheumatologist (who had previously been dismissive), and a couple of months later I was diagnosed.

I hope it’s a lot more straightforward for you. My advice would be to push for referrals where you can, ie to your local Musculoskeletal service, and take along notes with your symptoms, any medication, a timeline of what affected you and when. And what you want out of the consultation - ie answers to questions or next steps.

If I hadn’t asked for referrals myself, I’m not sure some of the referrals would have happened for me.

Good luck and stay safe

[Ladame]

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through at what should be one of the happiest times of your life. I started with fibro after the sudden death of a close friend. I thought at first it was just grief but after six months or so I was still feeling ill so I asked for an appointment with my rheumatologist as I thought my Rheumatoid arthritis was playing up and Tramadol not working for pain. She examined me and asked me several questions then told me I had fibromyalgia. She wrote to my GP who was very understanding and he said it's difficult to treat as what works for one person may not work for another. The consultant recommended amitriptyline so I now take 10mg early evening and this has helped me a lot. You could ask to see a doctor in person as they are seeing people at our surgery if telephone appointments don't get results, or ask for a referral to a consultant. I hope you get sorted soon, it's hard with a new baby as it's tiring enough with night feeds without additional problems and grief to come to terms with.

[Notebook30 in reply to Ladame]

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a kind reply. If things don’t improve I will definitely be trying to be seen in person xx