Help with diagnosis please.

[ANMRED]

I'm guessing fibromyalgia is going to be my company for the coming years unfortunately but is for thr doctors to decide that of course.

How yours was diagnosed? Was your GP helpful? Did they send you for what tests? Did they make a referral to a rheumatologist?

Any advice is more than welcome. I've been in pain for years but refused it to address it and now I reach the limit...

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome to the forums. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our website fmauk.org and our patient information booklets at fmauk.org/publications. You can also sign up for our newsletter at subscribepage.com/fibrolist

Your gp will generally run blog tests and possibly xrays to check for other causes for your pain. Referral to rheumatology tends to only be made if something shows up in tests.

[ANMRED in reply to Hazel_Angelstar]

Thank you, xx

[Welshcatlady]

Hi, thankfully I had a very understanding and up to date GP who diagnosed my Fibromyalgia. She initially did loads of blood tests to rule out other conditions. She also had a few x-rays done, which did show up some osteoarthritis in my hips and knees. So it was her who diagnosed Fibro and she tried me on a few different meds and now all I take is 50mg Amitriptyline at night and Co-codamol 30/500 mg as and when I need it. I also use Magnesium Spray on my lower legs every day after showering and I have Fenbid Forte (Ibuprofen) Gel for my hips.

It's a case of trial and error until you come up with something that helps to ease the pain. Some days will be easier than others, pace yourself - don't attempt too much at a time - you will come to know what you can and cannot do.

Hope you get pain relief that works for you soon.

[ANMRED in reply to Welshcatlady]

Thanks so much for your reply. xx

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to ANMRED]

I was diagnosed by Rheumatologist in 2008. I'd suggested it to my GP after reading someone's experience of Fibro as many of the symptoms I was having were very similar. I'd also been told by senior physiotherapist that I have hypermobility syndrome and Fibro often goes hand in hand with that. Rheumatologist confirmed it.

[Fadeddenimcutoff]

First went to my gp over three years ago with the many symptoms of fibro, I was already diagnosed with IBS in 2016. The gp ran loads of tests and picked up another illness (Prostrate cancer). I think the gp thought all my symptoms were related to this. After many more trips to the gp over the three years I was referred to the CMATs team who ran more tests, eventually diagnosing fibromyalgia. And here I am constantly battling this awful illness. 😖

[ANMRED in reply to Fadeddenimcutoff]

Sorry to hear about your battle. Thank you fir taking the time to reply to me. X

[Fadeddenimcutoff]

You come to realise that only fybromyalgia suffers can understand how you really feel.