Hi who diagnosed you

[Dayonetoday]

So over 12 months ago I finally had enough and went to GP, she gave me a sheet to read about fybro and that was it ? Iv since changed lifestyle stopped smoking lost 1stone eat good keto take vitamins etc etc but today iv asked for pain relief and specialist referral as paracetamol not doing it no more brufen messes with stomach and co codomol is hit and miss

[xBilliex]

Hi. I was referred to a rheumatologist & it was him who diagnosed me. I hope you get the help you deserve xxx

[Murpy]

I would change your doctor if I was you. Don't ask demand to be referred to a rheumatologist because from there the door will open to lots of different help you may need. Good luck and be strong. X

[Badbessie]

My people are diagnosed by a rheumatologist or neurologist. As a general rule fibromyalgia is only diagnosed once other conditions and causes for symptoms have been ruled out. Due to my wife's multiple conditions it took four years before a diagnosis was given. My own diagnosis was three years following first being seen by a rheumatologist. You need to see a rheumatologist as they can provide you with many more treatment options.

[Cat00]

GP's most commonly diagnose Fibromyalgia nowadays. The current NICE guidance is to resist drug treatments and to instead encourage exercise and talking therapies.

[bookish]

GP told me years ago that I didn't have fibro, then after a Rheum referral for something else, it was diagnosed. Second Rheum confirmed a few years later. Neither had any suggestions of what to do about it though! I got the booklet too. Read a lot and made lots of lifestyle, diet, vitamin changes and things are better-ish, but still have the underlying pain that I've had since I was 12 if not before. That was just when I realised not everyone else felt the same. Best changes for me - gluten free, dairy free , Vit D, magnesium and B12/folate. Partner's mother has it too and GP agreed years ago with her suggestion that it was fibro and she has had no referral.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

I have read the helpful replies from members, I would differently change your GP as just being given a sheet to read is not being helpful and moving you forward. I changed for the very same reason the doctor didn’t seem interested in my symptoms at all, I did get diagnosed by my current GP , when blood tests etc ruled everything else out, and yes some will refer to rheumatologist if they are not sure, good luck with getting the right help , you are looking after yourself with diet, losing weight, well done it’s not always easy so hats off to you.

[desquinn Partner Volunteer FMAUK Trustee]

I was diagnosed by a GP and confirmed by an SHO I think with consultant oversight at a rheumis. My GP gave me some papers away and I was grand with this approach but this was about two decades ago.

It is a lot more common for GPs or some AHPs to diagnose now but it depends on confidence and familiarity with fibro. Area of the country plays a part. There is nothing wrong with a GP diagnosing or getting it confirmed by a rheumi. A good doctor is what you need and the GP is able to refer you to all services. A local support group can often recommend a "good one" in your area