I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia on Friday, 14th of June, by my Rheumatologist (I have inflammatory arthritis).
I've been struggling with high heart rate, nausea, and sever brain fog for just under 2 months now, which is impacting my work and life (although I've had extreme tiredness and bouts of brain fog on and off for as far as I can remember, and I had put it down to my arthritis) . I'd only just gotten to grips with my Arthritis diagnosis (which I got in early 2023).
He watched me cry my eyes out, told me to get my stress under control (I already work very hard at getting this under control as it's a massive trigger for my arthritis). Get some CBT (but I can't refer you, you'll need to sort that out via your GP) and then maybe take two weeks and go on holiday, you will probably feel better. I feel like my life is falling apart, and that was my guidance and then he sent me on my way.
I feel lost, and don't know how to process this diagnosis on top of my arthritis, any suggestions or good websites to help me get to grips with this and help me figure out next steps would be most welcome. I've already self registered for CBT, but it might take some time as I know wait list are.
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seronegativeRa
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Hello, just wanted too welcome you too the forum, I’ve been a member for sometime now, you won’t fell so alone when you read members posts and their experiences. I found I’ve learnt a lot here over the years and I still do. Having arthritis with fibro can more than painful as I know myself. Having a good cry is our way of letting it out .Have you spoke too your doctor about your high heart rate, im guessing you have ? You will read posts and the different ways people try and help with pain, some its medications , which we often say trial and error until we can find something that helps, have an appointment with your doctor for advice as it seems once the rheumatologist has diagnosed people they don’t always follow threw much , okay have a holiday they said ,yes a break quite often lifts us and a change of scenery but at the end we still want too get into a routine and take day too day xx
Hiya, just wanted to also say hello and I understand how you feel. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in December, then also seronegative inflammatory arthritis in April. I also have osteoarthritis in my hips for good measure.It's vert y hard to process all these things for me, and the impact they each have, let alone multiple conditions all.at once. For myself, I take it slowly. I try to research using proper websites such as this one - and NRAS ( arthritis ) also have a chatline for newly diagnosed, as well as those with longer term inflammatory arthritis.
Those along with these forums have been invaluable to me, just knowing we aren't alone and other understand the physical and emotional effects.
Personally I have had zero help from the medical professions with the fibromyalgia. Lifestyle changes seem to be their suggestions. But I am gradually learning what triggers symptoms in negative way.
I'm sorry I am not offering practical suggestions. Just wanted you to know many understand how you feel. Take time. Be kind to yourself in little ways.
Hi and welcome to the club nobody particularly wants to join.
Your consultant was slightly better than mine, who wrote fibromyalgia on a piece of paper, said go research it I haven't time to explain it to you. I'm discharging you back to your GP as we don't treat it here and that was it.
Many of us have fibro together with arthritis and other problems.
Fibro is different for all of us and what works for one may not work for another. Listen to your body and on better days don't go rushing around like a bull in a china shop, doing all those things you haven't been able to do. If you do then you are likely to find yourself in a flare. The art of pacing oneself sounds easy but it really isn't for most of us.
Have you had your vitamin D levels checked. If not ask your GP as low vitamin D can lead to muscle pain etc. Epsom salt baths help some. My go to self help kit - no processed foods and no refined sugars. Occasionally I fall off the wagon but boy oh boy does it come back to haunt me. I can't tolerate prescription meds I use biofreeze gel, hot water bottles, weighted blanket, chiropractor and hypnotherapist.
Getting your stress under control is easier said than done, isnt it. CBT may help, as may Tai Chi.
You may be able to ask your GP for a referral to a fibro clinic to help you. I went to the Guys & St Thomas' but there are others dotted around the country. The one I attended was a one off appointment. Saw several different people, rheumy, physio, psychotherapist who put together a plan of action for your GP.
We are generally a friendly bunch, don't be afraid to ask any questions. Nothing is to silly to ask as you can bet someone has already asked it before.
One of my first symptoms was constant headache and high heart rate that comes and goes (especially POTS type). My GP was dismissive at best but a wonderful Rheumatologist at Benenden diagnosed me. Unfortunately been waiting a long time for a Fibro clinic appt.
I would definitely say do your research at as many good sources as you can. Fibro UK are great for info. And I found some EFT good for helping calm me as well as a CBT course. Also enlist your friends and family to find out how they could support you, a little from each person really helps.
Sorry your feeling down, maybe ask your Drs iff they have a social prescriber they are very helpful and she referred me for pain management which was quite quick, also I would see your Dr and see what could be a way forward for you, I was a told by a physio that I had fibro ( I also struggle with arthritis) but the Gp I saw didn’t believe in Fibro but social prescriber made me an appointment with a different Dr who is really good , seek what help you can get from your surgery, there’s lots of different medication that can help too iff you want to go down that route, I hope you feel better soon x
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