Doctors denial of fibromyalgia

[Captaincat]

I also have anxiety and depression and saw psychaiatrist about it. I told her neurologist had diagnosed fibromyalgia but she wouldn’t accept it. She said ‘fibromyalgia’ is something people are told when everything else has been ruled out and that what I had was part of the depression. I felt awful. How does everyone else get on with doctors in denial of fibromyalgia?

[uggycat]

Hi Captaincat there seems a big problem with some doctors not beleiving Fibro. l had a consultant diagnose me. Ask to see a consultant, for a second opinion. good luck

[uggycat]

sorry Captaincat you said neurologist diagnosed he should send your doctor a letter sayin g this.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

I would probably change doctor. But you could also ask them is NHS choices wrong? or EULAR or WHO?

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to desquinn]

Changing doctor (psychiatrist) is indeed a valid option too, but should consider carefully if it can adversely interrupt the treatment progress already made on anxiety and depression.

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer]

Psychiatrists have much less training and experiences in internal medicine, so I would first forgive her on what she said. Let her know that the fibromyalgia diagnosis is valid because it was made by a MEDICAL specialist who should be making the diagnosis. Gently remind her that you are seeing her to treat your depression, which is not mutually exclusive to fibromyalgia or any other medical conditions. Most importantly, don't take her opinion on something she wasn't trained in to heart. It isn't something worth getting upset about. Take care of your emotion first and foremost.

[Arymretep in reply to LisaSnow]

I agree, a phychiatrist isn’t qualified to diagnose you with fibro so I wouldn’t take any notice of that, listen to your neurologist

[Captaincat in reply to LisaSnow]

Thank you for your kind words all. The problem is my neurologist is one health authority and the psychiatrist another and they don’t talk to eachother. I did show her the letter from the neurologist who diagnosed me with a cavernoma and fibromyalgia but she didn’t seem interested. I’ve been discharged from her now and to be honest I’m not that bothered. I have a telephone appointment with pain clinic in November which my GP has organised. At least she acknowledged the pain and burning sensations, insomnia and fatigue are real.

[Midori in reply to LisaSnow]

Well said.

[Trappedmoth in reply to LisaSnow]

It's really unfortunate that you have seen such an unhelpful psychiatrist. I am currently seeing (privately) a clincal psychologist who specialises in chronic pain alleviation. She is wonderful. She was recommended to me by my rheumatologist who was recommended to me by my previous GP. My new physiotherapist (from the Pain Clinic), who I haven't met with yet, has already recommended an online programme of exercises for me. Again the programme specialises in relieving chronic pain and so far I have found it really good. It's free, so give it a try. The exercises are very gentle (at least to start with; I'm only on exercise 2): youtube.com/playlist?list=P....

[BlueSong247]

She doesn't know what she is talking about. A psychiatrist isn't necessary medically trained in things like Fibromyalgia.

[Midori]

That is one of the things that is trotting around in the UK right now, and it gets me really angry. For me, depression was the result of the fibro, not the cause.

If your Neurologist has diagnosed it, it isn't the Psychiatrist's place to sow that seed of doubt in your brain. It might be worth reporting the Psych.

I was diagnosed by a Rheumatologist, and saw a Neurologist later, as I was showing possible signs of MS, but it was disproved with an MRI, thank goodness!

Cheers, Midori

[Captaincat in reply to Midori]

Same here but MRI showed that I had a Cavernoma, they did MRA to double check and it was confirmed. The neurologist confirmed Fibromyalgia but said I needed to get onto of the anxiety and depression hence seeing a psychiatrist. I'm going to talk about Fibromyalgia at the pain clinic telephone appt.

[Nothing_but_books in reply to Midori]

Oh, Midori, I'm so glad to hear you say it! For me, too, depression and anxiety were a result of unrelenting pain. I never experienced anxiety until after pain stole my autonomy. Depression. I've always struggled with depression, but constant pain made it so much worse.

[JayCeon]

The first psychiatrist before my diagnosis considered depression, wasn't at all sure, but then he suddenly wrote that in his report. My 2nd, sleep lab psychiatrist, after the diagnosis, said something similar to yours, praps worse, but without talking about depression: 'It's a rubbish can diagnosis when they can't find anything else'. I was disappointed, but he was keen on helping my by finding out what else it can be, so I stayed on. Then the next visit he had seemed to have read up on fibro and started saying things that made sense, that fitted to me and what I'd read. In the end he became the person I could trust most. And he once assured me if I'd ever need it, he would write a report to confirm that I do not suffer from depression. So: Don't necessarily go by the first impression, try staying on, praps educate them, make them listen - they may be prepared to learn!