Gp just doesn’t believe me

[CAR26hen]

I’ve been in constant pain for years 3 years exactly my body hurts all over my joints are do painful I don’t sleep I have depression severe some days headaches and I’m very very tired but will not and does not believe me she says it’s menopausal

[Kryptonite59]

Remember GPs are general practitioners. They don’t know everything. Some haven’t heard of Fibromyalgia themselves. I must have seen five different doctors before my present one sent me to see a rheumatologist who diagnosed me. You can ask your doctor to make a referral to see one yourself. Be prepared for a very long process of elimination though. It’s been a year for me and I’m only starting to scratch the surface. If you’ve been suffering for three years, you really need to be getting somewhere with it. You have to push things along yourself. Three years in, I’d have gone mad. You’re probably being too nice. If the pain is bad, and I know how bad it can be, go to A&E at your hospital. Hospital is second home to me at the moment, but they are amazing. If you still don’t get any joy, change the practice you’re with. Don’t suffer in silence, it’ll only get worse. Good luck.

[Loobielu]

I absolutely agree with Kryptonite. Unfortunately we have to be very persistent. It's also taken me years to get a diagnosis and I'm still struggling to get help and find the right treatment. It almost feels like the diagnosis is the beginning rather than the end which is rather frustrating. I'm also menopausal and on maximum HRT including testosterone. HRT can help and does have a place but it's made little difference to my fibro. Don't give up, you deserve a better life than the one you're living X

[Woopert]

I’m going through the same. My GP has been useless for the last 5 years. It’s all in my head, it’s the menopause, its stress. It’s non of those things. He also got offended that I work for a local newspaper that ran a story about doctors not seeing their patients, after that there was a definite dismissive attitude. It’s taken a locum to put me forward for a rheumatologist which I have heard nothing from by the way. GP’s need to be made to see their patients, all my appointments have been phoned based. Sometimes I press and sometimes I just give up and suffer 😞

[KytttyKatt]

Sorry to hear that your GP is not listening to you.I'm grateful for my GP, he is very understanding and aware of my history. Maybe it's time for a change.

[catherine19611]

when you contact the surgery for an appointment, ask to see a gp who deals with fibromyalgia, a lot of them dont believe fibromyalgia exists

[Loopylou1902]

I'm the opposite. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 3 years ago. I believe it was because they got sick of seeing me! My personal belief is that all the pain, aching joints, brain fog is down to the menopause. When I try to get help, ie HRT I am ignored or told that I don't need it, because I have fibromyalgia!

[LisaSnow FMA UK Volunteer in reply to Loopylou1902]

Menopause can worsen fibromyalgia symptoms in some, but none- menopausal age is when a majority of women got diagnosed with it the first time.

[Ninapod]

Even if your symptoms are 'menopausal' you should be offered some treatment! It makes me cross that menopause symptoms are dismissed and you are expected to get on with it! Have you had any tests to rule out other conditions?

[Hidden]

Change your doctor

[EarthSitter1]

I had a Gp like that (I was actually diagnosed by a rheumatologist) so when I got home I went on FMA UK website and asked them to send an anonymous information pack to him at the surgery- I’m pretty sure he must have read it as he was a bit more understanding on my next visit as Kryptonite59 said they are Gp’s so don’t know everything. Don’t give up, good luck.

[Tiggerlostherbounce]

I know how hard it is with gp’s I have two sisters who both have Fibro too and we’ve all had years of trying to get decent diagnosis and treatment. So much so that I now have ptsd when dealing with anything medical. As a result of a panic attack at the gps with the nurse when having an injection, she was lovely and referred me to mental health, that journey, finally made the gp see me and refer me to the Walton clinic and being told by the specialist there that everything I’ve been going through is valid and I’m not just’ getting old’ has made me feel so much better mentally. I recommend cbt for anyone who gets anxiety as a result of being dismissed by gps etc.

your gp can refer you for a call from mental health or you can try your local services yourself, you don’t need a referral. I went through ‘ mindmatters’

When it comes to getting a diagnosis you get fatigued at pushing and anxious of the response, but everyone is right, you have to keep going, because once you start to see some acknowledgment and support, you feel more in control and that is our biggest issue, loss of control. You need to get your confidence back so that you can try to help yourself on good days, because the depression will allow Fibro to become harder to manage than it already is. It’s still a bit of a fight every day, but once you feel believed it really helps.

Persevere, change gp if needed, but keep trying and I hope you get there asap. Sending you lots of hugs and hope x

[vella]

I’m 20 years in to ‘fun with fibro’ as I call it. I went from ‘normal’ to lying on the sofa crying in the space of 24 hours. I never went back to work, could no longer drive, barely walk . I was in pain for six months before I got to see a gp (locum) who actually believed me. He said it would be a six month wait to see a consultant, or I could pay. I paid £180 and saw the same consultant two days later. He gave me a proper diagnosis of fibromyalgia and sent me back to the gp with a list of recommended medications. I’m still in constant pain, just the level that changes.

You must be forceful with your doctor. I know it’s hard when you’re in pain, and so tired. My grandma used to tell me ‘squeaky wheels get the most attention’. Don’t let them fob you off. Good luck. I wish you strength x

[klr31]

Low D can cause pain so worth checking too. Not many doctors realise.

Karen

[Luckylady1978]

doctors are so insulting aren’t they ?just like they don’t believe us they are supposed to help .doc told me once what do you want me to do about it ?wave a magic wand !

[Tiggerlostherbounce in reply to Luckylady1978]

that’s awful, so sorry you had that experience, my younger sister was told in an impatient manner’what do you want me to about it?’ She said ‘you’re the doctor’ and he said her time was up and did not need to waste any more time! She did change gp’s!😡

[Luckylady1978]

glad to hear that !