Long story short, my GP has said that all my symptoms point to fibromyalgia, but he wanted to refer me to a rheumatologist as well, to get their opinion. He says they may reject the referral and be satisfied from his description that it is fibro, but they may also want to speak to me. He did keep saying, I’m so young (27) that he just doesn’t want to miss anything, so maybe this is the reason?
My GP was not dismissive at all, which makes me feel so lucky- had many bad experiences in the past!
But kept saying he was very reluctant to diagnose me - has anyone else had a similar experience to this? Or is it normal for a GP to not be able to diagnose?
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Rosebud93
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I was young also 31 when the fibromyalgia reared it’s ugly head. I was pregnant with my first child I thought it was high hormones but it wasn’t what was making me sick. After I had my baby I felt better stomach wise but felt something was off. Long story short it was 2yrs and several doctors later and a surgery too I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. That was over 25yrs ago and 3 fibromyalgia Reseach studies too. The last included a FM/a blood test which test to see if you have fibromyalgia. I know it involves testing some component of the DNA 🧬but not sure what entails but it is just a XS tube of blood that they draw. It was EpicGenetics if you want to google them. I scored 93 out of a 100. I was at the top range of being “you without a doubt have fibromyalgia”. I don’t understand why this has been a well kept secret the FM/a test. I can understanding the doctors wanting to rule out somethings but why not have this in their diagnostic toolbox 🧰? Sorry for rambling. I went through several doctors each one running at least 1 or more tests. By the time I was diagnosed I had been scanned from head to toe. Rheumatologist was in there and ran a lot of blood tests and confirmed that I had fibromyalgia and CFS. I think that GP just want that reassurance from a specialist to confirm the diagnosis. Well like I said earlier the FM/a test can be used. I just don’t understand why it isn’t used in the diagnosing process? It is out there.
Bobby I hope that you aren’t sent through the ringer and that the rheumatologist sees you to confirm or find out what is the cause of you not feeling well.
Hi Hazel, I didn’t know that about the FM/a test. It tested right on cue with me. I know EpicGenetics is based out of California so didn’t know if it was in any other countries nor that much about the FM/a test. It was covered by insurance so thought it has been around awhile. Getting something on paper gave me a sense of relief that here is proof it isn’t all in my head. With each Reseach study it build on one another that we were getting one step closer to a cure. The first one was a 10yr 2 phase study involving identical twins where one was sick and the other one was healthy. They flew us out to Seattle Washington for a week long of testing one in phase 1 and 2. The study gathered a whole lot of information. It even made it on CNN news back in the 90’s. Study 2 was through Patientslikeme and DigitalMe and lasted 2 or 4yrs where the sent out a phlebotomist to daw blood 4x/yr and when ever there was a change in condition. They were studying bio markers. Well this last study by EpicGenetics did the FM/a test and a Covid-19 antibodies test testing the theory that the COVID virus could cause fibromyalgia and using that data to potentially find a cure with a vaccine. It was already proven that COVID-19 causes CFS/ME in some people the long haulers so it made sense to me for what EpicGenetics study was doing. I wanted to donate my body to science in hoping they could study it and find out what was wrong with it and help find a cure. But my husband wants me to be harried with him. I’m still going to get involved in any research 🔬studies on fibromyalgia that I run a crossed in the future. I want to help find a cure for this thing.
hi and a warm welcome. Your GP can make the diagnosis - however, it sounds like they do not feel confident enough to do so without having it double checked by the rheumatologist. Hope you can get some answers soon.
I got referred to rheumatologist and she was brilliant but this was in Dorsey , since I moved to Essex the stress of just getting an appointment was bad enough and now COVID19 has put a massive spanner 🔧 in the works..Good luck with getting all the support you need
Few GPs like to diagnose Fibro. It shares too many symptoms with other conditions, and GPs are worried about being sued, so it is safer to be diagnosed by a Rheumy.
Hi and welcome to the site a gp can diagnose Fibromyalgia but to be on the safe side they usually refer you for a second opinion i was diagnosed 12yrs ago keep well
Hello , my doctor did diagnose me after 6mths, after clear blood tests ruled out anything else and my day to day symptoms. You will read here on the forum it does vary, some doc s will and some like yours refer for a 2nd opinion. I do feel for you younger people my really came about in my fifties. Great forum here with lots of understanding and good to have a chat too xx
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How many FM sufferers have put on weight? How many FM sufferers were told to loose weight?
If you were an animal what would you be---------------
How do I get either diagnosed or ruled out as a sufferer?
how do you all cope? 
