Is it Fibromyalgia?

[Issy1990]

Hello,

I recently went to the doctors because I have had pain all over my body (shoulders, neck, knees, ankles, elbows, jaw), dizziness, exhaustion and feeling fluey for around 18 months. I had a blood test to check for RA and general health and was all clear apart from low iron.

The doctor has put me on iron pills to see if that’s causing the pain. I’m so confused. I’m worried I’ve made it all up and it’s not fibromyalgia just low iron, because she said on the first appointment it was fibro then today she said she ‘suspected’ it.

any insight would be greatly received.

TIA 😊

[Hazel_Angelstar Administrator FMA UK Staff]

Hi and a warm welcome. You can find general information on fibromyalgia at our website fmauk.org and our patient information booklets at fmauk.org/publications

Because of the overlap of symptoms with other conditions, it is impossible for us to say of it is fibromyalgia or not (although your symptoms do point to it being a possibility)

The royal college of physicians website has diagnostic guideline documents that you may find useful

[AllthatGlitters]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and CFS after going to the GP many times over the years. Moved peace and found an amazing GP who said it was in fact fibro and CFS. The pain and tiredness, it was a condition, I wasn’t being lazy or moaning for no reason.

I also suffer with low iron and feel completely different when on a fibro flare to an iron flare. I have had iron infusions. Even so I would definitely say for me the fibromyalgia and CFS is a lot worse than iron deficiency (for me anyway, in how I feel in my own body).

I would push your GP into getting a diagnosis for you, whatever that may be, then you can hopefully start treatment x

[Issy1990 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

thanks so much for sharing your story with me, it makes me feel so much better hearing it.

My sister has really low iron and she has none of the fibro symptoms I have. I just know it’s more than slightly low iron.

I will keep pushing them to listen as when the pain and tiredness starts it’s so bad I can hardly walk sometimes.

Thanks again xx

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Issy1990]

If you get nowhere with your current GP you can request to speak to another one, I have had some awful GPs who couldn’t care less but then also had some lovely ones. Good luck & hope you got answers soon x

[Issy1990 in reply to AllthatGlitters]

Thank you! I will update if anything changes.

All the best and merry Christmas xx

[AllthatGlitters in reply to Issy1990]

Merry Christmas to you too 🎄

[Gigiruth]

Hi Issy1990Sorry to hear you are in such pain,

I hope you get answers soon.

Whatever the answers you get over time you have the pain whatever it is.

Fibro is complex and it takes time to get a diagnosis.

While you wait for more information you can search for the non drug answers that help anyway.on here.

It can increase stress to not have a diagnosis and I worried my pain was due to many things,all serious.

I found ways to improve sleep,diet and when possible activity ( don't like exercise much myself😊)

Bath salts,mindfulness,sleep dodow ,cutting out certain foods. Hobbies.

I kept a diary.

Look after yourself and search for what keeps you as positive as possible.

I am many years on and have learned to manage my whole self much better.I stopped fighting what I couldn't change and learned to say no.I am more active than I expected to be.

I wish you well in your journey.

Look after you,

Gigi

[Issy1990]

Gigiruth thabk you got your reply. I really appreciate you taking the time to chat to me.

It’s definitely the unknowing that stresses me out the most. I keep thinking it cáncer or something awful-I have OCD too so I’m prone to obsession 😂

I will definitely have a look into diet and exercise- I’m trying to not get wrapped up in the pain.

Thanks again for your encouraging words.

All the best and Merry Christmas 🎅 x

[soppysokes in reply to Issy1990]

low iron (need full iron panel testing to be sure), low levels of vitamin D3 also if you are anxious and at times without even realising you are doing it, holding yourself taunt and tense those generalised aches/pains will come.

[Issy1990 in reply to soppysokes]

Do you reckon that it’s not fibromyalgia then but low vitamin levels?

[soppysokes in reply to Issy1990]

low, or low within range vitamin and mineral levels can have impact on many areas healthwise. Ideally all relevant ones should be thoroughly checked prior to fibro being diagnosed given the meds that are used to try to combat it.

[klr31]

Get your D checked too.

[Issy1990 in reply to klr31]

sorry what is ‘D’? I’m new to all this lol

[klr31 in reply to Issy1990]

Vitamin D levels.

[Issy1990 in reply to klr31]

Ah okay cool. Thanks I will ask the doctor 😊 is vitamin D deficiency common with fibro or could that be causing symptoms?

[klr31 in reply to Issy1990]

Low D can cause general aches and pains.

[Bolognese2022]

Hi Izzy

It can take a while to get a diagnosis. I kept visiting the GP with various ailments. Did some reading around Fibromyalgia and presented all my symptoms to the GP and she agreed it could be this condition. Eventually I was referred to a muscular skeletal time at another Clinic and they diagnosed the condition. It took just over a year.

The biggest shock was when I was asked to walk in a straight line during the assessment, I couldn’t. My balance was dreadful and still is.

I feel much better now with the right medication and support.

Wish you luck in getting it sorted.