confused diagnosis

[healingspirit]

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2019 by a Reumotologist whom during my appointment when through in detail with the symptoms and suggested treatments medically and non medical.

But in 2023 I saw another Reumotologist who told me that it wasn’t fibromyalgia but low grade Rheumatoid arthritis because my RF was 23 and ESR was 21 I did point out that the Reumotologist I saw in 2019 had mentioned that I had fibromyalgia and my ESR and RF was the same but this new Reumotologist was adamant that I didn’t have fibromyalgia but Rheumatoid arthritis and that she wants me to take autoimmune suppressants but I have told her that I want to wait so she now will wait for 6 months and do a repeat bloods to see what my RF and ESR will be yesterday I have bought and started taking 1300 mg spray turmeric spray from H&B which I have been told helps with inflammation and helps with any form of arthritis so I will be trying this for 6 months and do the bloods and then see what to do after that.

My main concern is that why 2 professional consultants come up with 2 different diagnosis 😮😮😮

[Dinkie]

Doctors are only human and like the rest of us will disagree on various things to a degree. Medicine is not an exact science as much as we like to think it is. I know it is difficult when we are caught in the middle. What does your GP say? Inflammation can be due to all sorts of things, so having another blood test in a few months will be worthwhile.

[healingspirit in reply to Dinkie]

GP’s always rely on consultants opinions but on this occasion she hasn’t got an answer

When professionals with qualifications and experience behind them especially with someone’s health should not be allowed to make decisions or assumptions and diagnosis based on an instant decision

I believe that we should do the research ourselves as well because we are more interested in our own health than anyone else

[Dinkie in reply to healingspirit]

If you have a diagnosis of fibro then you could always ask for an appointment at the fibro clinic at Guys & St Thomas's. One off appointment, that should clarify one way or the other. Yes by all means do research but the diagnosis is not up to us, it's a joint venture between ourselves and our qualified medics. I've always found discussion and exchange of views with the medics result in positive moves forward.

[healingspirit in reply to Dinkie]

Thanks for your advice 🥰

[Jan1964]

This can happen as low grade RA progresses. Be thankful that RA can be treated so you can get relief from your symptoms. If your blood test is positive please reconsider the biological treatment, you will be amazed by the effect. Hugs xx

[Whiteclouds]

Hello a few months ago I read a research article on fibromyalgia which read the research team now believe fibromyalgia is an autoimmune condition. I hope you find out exactly what you have and get the correct treatment. Good luck.

[healingspirit in reply to Whiteclouds]

Thanks

The odd thing is these so called researchers always seem to find new explanations many many years after a certain illness is discovered what happened to the researching back then 😯

[AnnaC64]

You may have developed arthrits since seeing the first rheumatologist, and you may also have Fibromyalgia. Did the first rheumatologist do a physical exam and check your trigger points (tender areas)?

[healingspirit in reply to AnnaC64]

Yes he did but my RF has been 23 for the last 15 years

[healingspirit]

We’ll both consultants denied one from the other

One said only Fibromyalgia RF at 23 is not a concern and that more than 80% of the population RF will never be in the 0-13 normal range and the second consultant unequivocally said that I do not have fibromyalgia and she also added in my opinion a pathetic comment saying this is a woman’s ailment

[Vontrap]

I think it’s maybe easy done tto out everything down to fibromyalgia. It’s better to have other tests

[Vontrap in reply to Vontrap]

Done to rule Fibro out. That’s what I’m doing now so I know that’s what it is and not something else that can be treated.

[Ferndale]

I too was diagnosed by a rheumatologist back in 2014 after many many years of being told it was depression.It seems now gp are diagnosing fibro a little too easily and quickly with no on ward consulting with so called specialists.

I often hear people say" I've got that " but don't seem to have many symptoms .

I understand everyone is different and consider mine mild compared to some sufferers...but hearing some people symptoms does make me wonder if gps are handing out fibro diagnostic results willy nilly.

My neighbour apparently has it just in her hands? And others haven't heard of or get: restless legs .insomnia .itchy skin.

Dry eyes.ibs.mouth ulcers.depession.anexiety etc.

This doesn't help when other people question fibro as a chronic illness.

[selltile]

I started with what was believed to be Polymyalgia, went to RA and now diagnosed with Fibro by 2 separate DOCTORS. It is annoying isn't it. You take the meds and still hurt l like no tomorrow . You live in permanent brain fog/ I want to yell--pick a lane and let's follow it!