Diagnosis

[Gulfstream_Maggie]

After a phone appointment with the doctor I was sent for blood tests. Said blood tests have ruled out things like arthritis, thyroid issues.

In the follow-up phone appointment the doctor has basically told me that everything else has been ruled out and I more than likely have fibromyalgia. He sent me a lot of info and yes the vast majority of indicators apply to me (have done for more years that I care to think).

The main issue I have is that it all seems to have stopped short of an outright diagnosis.

As my'problems' are not very acute and I can get by I feel as though it's not being taken seriously.

Added to this I'm currently newly divorced and my bitter/twisted ex-spouse is dragging me through financial court hearings. I asked the doctor for a letter to confirm my condition but he seemed to try to put me off, almost like he was trying to intimate it was more "imaginery" than real.

Any advice would be appreciated ☺️

[Bluelabelle]

Hi and welcome to the group! I’m new too, but people here are nice and so helpful so I’m sure someone with more experience will come and help soon.

I’m sorry you’re having a rough time at the moment. It’s odd that the doctor wouldn’t give you a letter for a condition they think you have! Fibromyalgia is most definitely real but people can be strange about believing in it from some things I’ve read.

Did they explain why they didn’t want to give you a letter at all? My only other thought is maybe a second opinion - not because I doubt anything you’re saying but to maybe see if they can be more concrete about a diagnosis and support you better?

[Gulfstream_Maggie in reply to Bluelabelle]

Thanks for your support. I'm not sure why he didn't want to confirm. I definitely felt like he was trying to give me the brush off.

It'll cost me approx £50 for a letter from him regarding probable diagnosis!

Trying to get an appointment with a GP at my surgery is a nightmare. They are only giving out telephone appointments (when you can get one). Nothing face-to-face unless they deem it necessary on the telephone appointment.

Covid - the biggest excuse for everything in history 😡😤

[Trappedmoth in reply to Gulfstream_Maggie]

If you are not happy with your GP find another one. However it is worth pointing out that GPs are having a very hard time with covid and with brexit, for that matter. Moreover, fibro is extremely difficult to diagnose. It's a kind of diagnosis of last resort, so it really doesn't generate enthusiasm, even with GPs that believe in it. Covid isn't an excuse. It's a disaster for millions of people.

[Badbessie]

To be honest your doctor as not ruled out many conditions. My wife as PSA and her bloods have never shown abnormalities. Normally fibromyalgia is not diagnosed unless all other conditions have been ruled out. Normally diagnosis is made by a rheumatologist or neurologist. Both my wife and I had a long wait for diagnosis. Basically you need a referral to a specialist. There are many types of arthritis and bloods alone are a poor diagnostic tool.

[lovelab]

it might be an idea to post your blood results on thyroid forum, including ranges. The interpretation of results is very important and is not as black and white as GPs like to make us think.

[Sally444]

Hi. Doctors are reluctant to confirm it until they've ruled out everything else. This is because if they just said.....'hey, you have fibro' and actually you had MS/Lupus or something else altogether, they would be in a lot of trouble! Has you doctor sent you for a Rheumatology appointment? They are the ones who confirmed back to my doctor that it was likely to be FM. And yes, the symptoms go on for years and you just kind of put up with it thinking it is normal until one day, you can't put up with the pain anymore! I have been going to the doctors for over 25 years with various issues, eye issues, pain issues, bladder issues, sleep issues, skin issues, night sweats (when I was in my early 30's), infections, etc etc. and it's only in the last 3 years that he said....I think you might have fibromyalgia and he sent me for tests. Anyway, if you haven't had a Rheumatology appointment, make sure you request one as that is usually the next step. Best of luck and I hope your court case ends fairly.