Confused

[Fatgrandad]

Still not diagnosed was initially put on naproxen but still pain persisted , both doctor and I then assumed I had polymyalgia so he tried me on predisnolone which seemed to calm my symptoms a little but after taking bloods for a second time my results came bk clear ! So now I'm being put on Duloxetine? Does anyone have experience of this drug at all ? I had my symptoms for over 6 weeks now chronic pain in most of my joints which does not appear to be stopping , I can put up with the discomfort but just want know what I'm actually suffering with .

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi, I am sorry your suffering and I am sure we can all empathise. Unfortunately it can take quite sometime before a GP may give a diagnosis of fibro for many reasons. It took me 10 years before I was given a dignoses of fibro.

You say you have been in pain for six weeks. That does seem a short time to be honest. This maybe why your GP doesn't want to jump in and pass your pain off so quickly to been fibro. I would say your GP sounds like he /she is doing a good job.

The thing is fibro can mimic so so many other illnesses and it can take time to check them out. Once that's done and all is ok you are then left with fibro.

Sounds like the GP is at least trying you on one of the few meds on offer for fibro so that's good. I hope they help.

Momo

[Tommygurl in reply to Dizzytwo]

I've only been diagnosed with fibromyalgia since 8th February this year. Had pain and other symptoms for years it does take years before they diagnose fibromyalgia so hang in there the doctors right in what they are doing xx

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Tommygurl]

Hi, I think your reply was meant for the OP not me.

[Tommygurl in reply to Dizzytwo]

Sorry am 61 this year and get very confused how to work these chats lol

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Tommygurl]

No problem, I am 68 this year and going down hill fast lol. Take care xx

Momo

[Tommygurl in reply to Dizzytwo]

It's not good is it living with this fibromyalgia you take care xx

[Fatgrandad in reply to Dizzytwo]

Think I'm just in shock really never had such debilitating pain and as my Jobs very physical I've not worked since and being self employed am in limbo as what to do , darent take work on incase I can't complete and not sure what my options now are just very difficult time

[Dizzytwo Moderator in reply to Fatgrandad]

I understand. It's what the majority of us have had to deal with. It's an horrible situation to be in. Have you spoke with our benifits advisers? You can call or email them it is completely private and confidential. The link for the office is below. I hope that helps.healthunlocked.com/fibromya...

[Badbessie]

Sadly diagnosis of fibromyalgia is often a process of eliminating other conditions and can become even more complex if you have other pain related conditions such as osteoarthritis or other types of arthritis. My rheumatology consultant knows I have severe osteoarthritis and suspects I may have psoriatic arthritis. After looking at my symptoms and test results I first got a diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome and widespread chronic pain syndrome. However on his letter he added fibromyalgia to the list. Your GP is eliminating possible other causes which I feel is good practice as too often everything is put down to fibromyalgia. With fibromyalgia how medications can help is very individual. I have tried a long list of medications for fibromyalgia but sadly none have been very effective for me but others have had good results. If one medication does not seem to work speak with your GP as there are a number of options which could help.

[Onceabiker]

Do a search here on Duloxetine as there has been much discussion. I am strongly in the negative camp but it works for some.

Good luck.

[Frenchi88]

Hey FatgrandadI think most of us can relate to wanting to just know what's wrong with us. I remember for many years just thinking what is it , why does nobody know. All I wanted was an answer which happened by chance when we were visiting a Neurosurgeon friend of ours in USA. So very unexpected but he was correct and the first person to put a name , a name I'd never heard of way back I'm the 90s. Its an elimination of other problems then your left with Fibromyalgia. You probably already know this, and it can take time , lots of time.

I can't help you with the meds your asking about buy I was given the name of Nortriptyline very recently by a Rheumatology Consultant which is the Amitriptyline family but without the horrible side effects.

Anyway hope you get your answer soon as even without help with it just knowing makes you feel better have a name put to it.

GOOD LUCK

F 🤗

[misspicky82]

Hi, I've not had a diagnosis as yet but I've been suffering for the best part of 5 years. I've only just recently been able to discuss to the full extent ALL my symptoms as previous to this it was reported in bits and bobs due to always feeling rushed at my appointments, or my blood work coming back normal which then just led to me being left with no answers. My diabetes consultant recently suggested Fibromyalgia and wrote to my GP, who always seems set to put all my symptoms down to that but my diabetes control is generally good and my diabetes consultant doesn't agree the symptoms I'm getting are related to my diabetes. Anyhow, I was put on Duloxetine in January, had bloods, everything came back normal apart from the iron levels being on the lower side, although still in range. My GP was going to take me off Duloxetine (why I don't know as I said it was helping somewhat) but yes it took a couple of weeks and I noticed my sleep quality has been a lot better since being on it, however my fatigue in the daytime is no different but I do want to stay on Duloxetine for that reason. I've also had some better days but it's definitely not cured me, just given a small amount of relief so stick with it for at least 2-3 weeks and see if it helps but don't expect a major difference. I am fed up of not having a diagnosis but I have an appointment this week with a different GP in the same practice and I am taking evidence from my research, Fibromyalgia literally is me down to a T! And I didn't even know what it was before it was suggested at the end of last year so I'm not imagining my symptoms from reading them beforehand which is what I feel sometimes the GPs think 😤

[misspicky82 in reply to misspicky82]

Just to mention also, in the past I've had Naproxen but I couldn't tolerate that so was then put on Etadolac, couldn't tolerate that either (I have asthma and stomach issues), I was given Nortripyline but the side effects were horrible! I was then put on Dihydrocodiene but I wish they had never given me that as I'm now tolerate to it and physically dependent but I'm now on a tapering plan to get off it although this will take time as I have been in it for over 3 years. I'm now on Amitriptyline for pain and the Duloxetine. I recently got diagnosed with Migraines and I'm on Sumitriptan for those as PRN as I didn't want to be taking yet another tablet. I suffer with bad anxiety though, but nothing has been done about that so far.

[Buildashed]

hi fatgrandad

Yes I take Duloxetine for Fibro, I have tried lots of meds, this one for me just takes the edge of plus I sleep better so that’s a bonus.

Good luck with everything

[Kittygal]

Hi Fatgrandad, sorry to hear of your suffering, we all know to well on here but I have a lot of experience with deluxatine, I am prescribed it for my chronic pain/fibromyalgia/ hyper mobility to which has been a real help for me however we are all individuals and not everyone feels or even helps others but deluxatine was used as a former antidepressant, and I can say this helped with my anxiety & depression too, so four and half years on, it was still helping me, however like most things your body becomes used to the medication, I have been on many and I mean many medications but deluxatine was the better one, unfortunately with fibromyalgia/ chronic pain, things have to be adjusted or changed, it's the nature of this illness, this is obviously my personal opinion as I said previously we are all different with our chronic illnesses, what works for one may not for another, there is no cure for fibromyalgia as yet and I continue to wait, like many others until more research & funding is plumped into this excruciating condition.Again it's trial and error with chronic illness and I wish you well that you find some respite with your chronic pain. 👍

[Fatgrandad]

Thank you all so much for your input can't tell you how down I've felt lately but your comments have helped me realise I'm not alone which you can easily belive when your at your lowest but now determined to try and educate myself about this condition that up until 6 weeks ago I didn't know existed !

[Debsdelight72]

Hi Fatgrandad, As long as your GP is on your side, Which by the sounds of it seems to me she/he is, I suffered for years before I was diagnosed with Fibro, I'd changed my GP but not the surgery, It was like flipping the switch,

There are so many 💩 symptoms that can be different illnesses and no sure fire way to be 99.9% as there is no test ,A very knowledgeable GP or a rumy ( sorry can't spell) would know enough to give the diagnose,

There is also no cure (yet)😢 There is also no treatment as such, (yet) Just trying to keep the pain under control

Different people will have very different results from different drugs, So keep in close contact with your GP and you could start a pain diary so that you can write down each medicine works or not, You would be a very very lucky person if you got it right the 1st time,

I would give at least 4-6 weeks to give you a proper idea, This is where you decide it's not working or your GP says different (ALWAYS listen to them 1st and not a mad arse pain riddled woman as myself)

I hope you find the elusive magical pill that not only leave you pain free and energised, But allows you to sleep at night and stay awake all day. Duloxetine was my 1st drug but didn't go down too well, I've been on an awful lot of pain killers that don't work now,

The pain killers you take will stop working and the dose won't be enough so you keep taking the next strength,Until that drug just won't work anymore, It's a vicious circle and causes other shoot off ailments,

It is so important to keep in touch with your GP and keep them on your side, After all they are trying to do their job which is to get you better(or as close to)

I don't know why you are looking for a name or label it, It is more important to try and treat your symptoms and get a head start with coping and trying to keep stresses away,

I wish you well on your journey

Take care Debs