Diagnosis and tests.

[C2691]

Hi, I’m just curious to know how many people are diagnosed without scans etc.

I have seen rheumatologist who has diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.

I’ve had a lot of blood tests and nothing is showing up to indicate any kind of inflammation.

I’m not saying i don’t believe the dr with my diagnosis but I am a bit concerned that all my symptoms are just blamed on fibromyalgia from this point on. Now I have that on my records.

I have very bad rib pain. It’s very different to the rest of my aches and pains. I also have been having palpitations in my chest. This is happening since December and is becoming a bit more frequent.

I hate the idea of bringing up tests or scans on my ribs and back because I feel like who am I to question the diagnosis I’ve been given.

I’ve had a recent abdominal ultrasound for a separate issue.

I wonder if anyone has any advice for me.

[Cat00]

I didn't have any scans when I was diagnosed but over 20 years later I was finally given an MRI on my neck. But it didn't help anyway.

[trip77]

Hi. Have ye not had any mri's or x-rays at all?

I suppose if the rheumatologist has been doing his/her job for a long time, then they know the signs and markers to look out for, and rather than put ye through all the rigmarole, made an educated diagnosis.

If ye are concerned about having chest pains and palpitations then maybe ye should see yer GP as it could possibly be something else and would put yer mind at rest.

[C2691 in reply to trip77]

Thanks for your reply. I’ve told my gp and rheumatologist about the rib pain and palpitations but they show no concern. GP just asked if I was anxious 🤦🏻‍♀️.

No the only scan I’ve had is an ultrasound something separate to do with my gallbladder. No one has ever mentioned anything else.

[trip77 in reply to C2691]

Ye always have the choice of going for a second opinion or even the next time yer having palpitations, nipping up to yer nearest a&e department and see if they can find anything.

Have ye had a change in medication/taking medication that could be causing the side effects of heart palpitations etc?

[C2691 in reply to trip77]

No. I actually went privately to rheumatologist as I was in so much pain at the time I didn’t feel like I could wait. She advised me to keep my NHS appointment so I still have that to go to soon. I’m not on any medication so I’m not sure what it is. But I’ve been to gp and they’ve listens to my chest etc. I’ve told them I’m always feeling tired and these palpitations are happening but they only ever mention fibromyalgia.

[veggiefan70]

I was diagnosed in 2006 by a rheumatologist. I didn't have a scan. It seems the diagnosis is reached by eliminating all other possible causes. As far as I know, there still isn't a definitive way to diagnose Fibro.

[C2691 in reply to veggiefan70]

Thank you. Yes I’ve heard this I just don’t understand how they eliminate all other possible causes without imaging 🙁but I don’t want to start questioning the dr as I feel like now I’ve been given this diagnosis who am I to question it. Just doesn’t feel quite right to me.

[geminilady]

Hi, i was diagnosed with Fibro by my doctor. He said he had good knowledge of dealing with it as he had quite a few patients suffering with it. It did take a while to diagnose though, he ruled out other things first. But he has never offered to send me for a scan or to a rheumotologist. I asked to be referred to the pain clinic, but he said it wasnt necessary as he could treat me with medication. He did send me to a physiotherapist for a few weeks, but that just made the pain worse. The physio then referred me to an acupuncturist and i had upper body acupuncture for 4 weeks which really helped. I did wonder for a few years whether his diagnoses was actually correct, bearing in mind it was just his word, however i have come to believe that i really do have Fibro because of all the symptoms i have and having found this site, so many people all saying the same thing about the painful muscles, joints, bones, fatigue etc. I also suffer with arthritis and osteopenia, so sometimes i am totally unsure of what exactly is ailing me, whether it is the arthritis or the fibro. Sometimes it all seems to roll into one giant pain.

[veggiefan70]

It's always a good idea to ask GP's questions, regardless. I've learnt a lot from using this Forum and from doing research myself. By questioning doctors, I've sometimes found that I know more about the condition than they do. It seems that Fibro and CFS aren't part of their medical training, so if they don't put bother to read up on the latest medical reports, then they can be dismissive of our problems. These are fortunately in a minority, but it does still happen. Never allow yourself to be fobbed off.

[trip77]

Hi. I've also just been checking symptoms out for fibro and comparing them to Myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E). Maybe ye could ask yer rheumatologist if that is what ye could have as this causes heart palpitations as well as all the other symptoms of fibro. Check this link out and hopefully this gives ye something to ask yer rheumatologist about

verywellhealth.com/disease-...

[C2691 in reply to trip77]

Thanks so much for your replies. Very much appreciated. Will look in to it. 🙂

[Purplebluebell]

A diagnosis is made when other diseases are excluded. I did not have a scan for my diagnosis.

[Mum007]

Under rib pain could be acid reflux. That’s what I have. You could try taking gaviscon advance for a few days to see if it helps. Could be gallstones but that’s usually under the right rib. The palpitations could just be that you are worrying about everything.

[C2691 in reply to Mum007]

I do hope that’s all the palpitations are they seem to come on so suddenly. I’ve just had a scan on my gallbladder for a separate issue so I know it’s not fall stones. I’ve also suffered with reflux so it’s not that the pain is more in my actual ribs. Thank you for your reply. 💕

[Mum007 in reply to C2691]

I’ve had acid reflux for many years with hiatal hernia causing many problems. The pain has always been in my sternum or burning in my stomach. This last week I went to the doctors with pain under my ribs which was getting worse. Started on right hand side then moved across under both ribs. Feels like someone is pushing their fingers under my ribs and hurts if I bend over. He said that too was acid reflux and told me to take ppis. It Stopped within a day of taking them. Just saying... don’t rule it out as I thought it was something else.

[C2691 in reply to Mum007]

I do have a hernia too. Maybe. My pain is more like very tender to touch and then shocking shooting pains. It’s not constant it comes and goes. Feel like I will never get to h to e bottom of all this I never know what’s causing anything 😩 Im always waiting to feel better and never do. thanks again 🙂

[Pbyllis]

Didn't have scan for fibo .

[Matilda66]

My Gp said she thought it was fibromyalgia when I first went she referred me to a rheumatologist he confirmed the diagnosis but he did send me for a ct scan on my head to rule out anything neurological.

[Matilda66]

I also have recently started to have tender ribs but only on the right side and usually when I’m in bed all these different things that happen to us is a nightmare I have just got over cancer and the chemotherapy nurses always ask do you have any pain it was it was so difficult to know if it was the chemo or fibro anyway I’m out the other side thank goodness but have found that since then my fibromyalgia is so much worse. Hope you get some reassurance soon

[JayCeon]

Quite a good and understanding one hour talk plus questions by Dr. Andrew Gross, Rheum. at the Uni. of California, from 2011 but here youtu.be/aprthkmlE2Q?t=1774he(Not working as expected?) answers the question "Is it important that Fibromyalgia is diagnosed?" with "Yes: making a definite diagnosis reduces unnecessary use of medical resources and reduces costs". O.o

I beg to differ - but admit that after double-checking everything with 45 docs (a lot of that after the fibro-diagnosis), they cdn't find anything much else than fibro or things I already knew, and only 2-3 "physios" have been able to help me, none of the docs. What these found was 'only' a probably harmless spinal tumour, after an MRI was done to check for ankylosis spondylitis. And cardiovascular issues, esp. high blood fats, which no-one else'd never otherwise have got found and which may have saved me quite a few years of my life... That was found due to my GP checking my blood pressure, seeing as that can be increased by pain, which it was, and then thinking further from there.