Muscle pain

[Briecheese]

When I mention aches and pain I get due to fibro to my gp and i said the muscle pain in my legs was really bad and prevented me sleeping properly, she told me fibro does not cause muscle pain.

[Blue-52]

oh, and another doctor, that doesn’t have a clue, is there another gp in ur surgery, so sorry for you.

[Briecheese in reply to Blue-52]

I told her I hd fibro since 1989 and was not diagnosed until 1997. In other words I know what I am talking about. Yes our practice is a large one with plenty of doctor but trying to actually see a gp is difficult. They use too many physicians associates, advance nurse practitioners and use F2 trainees as it is also a very large training practice. Our good GPS all left in the last few years. Not much choice around us especially when nearly 80 yrs old. Feel like it is put up and shut up.

[Blue-52 in reply to Briecheese]

Ahh, don’t put up and shut up, keep trying 🤗

[Dinkie]

so if your GP says muscle pain isn’t due to the fibro what does she think is causing it? Most GPs I’ve seen want to blame fibro for every ache and pain so they don’t need to investigate further.

Maybe write to her asking the question and requesting a telephone consult. I prefer to write and ask, that way it forms part of your medical notes and they can’t deny you have raised it. Another way of being taken seriously is to ask for a referral to one of the fibro clinics - I went to Guys and St Thomas’s. It certainly was a relief to go somewhere that actually believes fibro exists and can be managed.

Good luck:

[Briecheese]

Thanks I have been to the pain clinic before so I know it is fibro. I think I was shell shocked at her ignorance really. I do when necessary write to a gp as it appears to be the only way to get their attention. They are more interested in working to rule and using the triage system. At my age I obviously have other problems too and it is easy to think you are being a nuisance.

[Dinkie in reply to Briecheese]

If you have concerns you should never be seen or think of yourself as a nuisance.

I thought my shoulder pain was fibro - it wasn’t it was calcific tendinitis. Same with ankle pain which was detached tendon. I thought I wouldn’t trouble the GP so suffered for months when a trip to GP earlier would have sorted it more quickly.

Hope you feel better soon

[Briecheese]

Thanks to you all.

[Lovecoffee]

hi it does cause muscle pain I have it really bad in my legs, I have take hot water bottle to bed every night Tina x

[Wordsearch1]

Your GP should know that one of the main issues with fibromyalgia is muscle pain, you need to see another GP. Take care

[Midori]

That's very strange. Perhaps explain to that doctor that Fibro means Fibres, My means Muscles and Algia means pain. Therefore Fibromyalgia means pains in the muscles!

Sounds like she needs to brush up on her Medical Latin!

Sorry, I'm taking no prisoners today!😉

Cheers, Midori

[Briecheese]

We do not get a choice of gp, we get triaged by a faceless clinician, then the receptionist rings us to say we have an appt but is reluctant to say who with as I do always ask for a gp, peferably one I know. Hence me writing to a specific gp occasionally for an appt for specific gp. Often though if you need follow up you are given it by a F2 trainee under the duty doctors supervision. So if the F2 is unsure he goes away for a chat with them. That is where I am at the moment with a problem unrelated to fms. Getting very reluctant to go to the surgery and the only thing that makes me go is the thought of becoming an emergency case and ending up in our local a/e for hours. Spent a whole 24 hours there with my husband recently with suspected heart attack. Been with this surgery 73 years now and never known it so bad. No other surgery nearby and my mobility is very poor.

[Midori in reply to Briecheese]

Sounds like my surgery. I haven't had an appointment in 5 years! the doctors are down from 20 to 6.

Cheers, Midori

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

like other members I do not agree with this , some doctors are not really clued up at all are they, muscle pain that’s very bad would disturb your sleep, damp consistent rain at the moment dose not help either ,xx

[marguLIS]

Clueless! It's not called a GP practice for nothing! Some don't ever read up on latest research etc since they qualified. Thank goodness they aren't all like that. I know they don't like being told that they are wrong , but perhaps you could print off symptoms etc from the internet and give it to her. No accusations, just say it's the latest research that she possibly may not have read. Worth a try?

I really hope you get someone to take you seriously, best of luck and wishing you well.

[Whiteclouds]

hello you need to see another doctor who knows about fibromyalgia it most certainly does create Muscle pain. If a doctor I went to see told me this I would walk out as it would set off alarm bells this doctor had no knowledge of the illness. Ask to see a rheumatologist.

[Midori]

Whiteclouds suggestion about seeing a Rheumatologist is a good one; it's how I was diagnosed.

And yes, Many doctors don't bother to keep themselves updated about things and the latest in treatment options. Older GPs in the main are just cruising until Retirement. Look for a Young one if Possible.

I know how difficult it is to get appointments right now, I have lived in West wales for almost 5 years, our surgery is the second largest in Wales! When I joined they had 20+ doctors, but now there's just 6. I havent't managed to get an appointment in all the time I've been here! Good job I used to be a nurse and can manage my condition fairly well with over the counter medication.

Cheers, Midori

[Elaine200756]

Wow! I'm gobsmacked Briecheese 😱 For a gp to say that. The word ignorant springs to mind 😏 Fibromyalgia is well known for causing muscle, joint and tendon pain. Maybe see another doctor if it's a group practice? Take care, love Elaine xx 🤗

[Briecheese]

She is fairly young gp and yes I saw a rheumatologist some years ago. I too worked in the nhs and have generally managed to manage the fibro myself now. My old gp ws good. It was by chance my poor sleep pattern was spoken about with this particular gp and that is when she said it. Thanks for all you comments

[Elaine200756 in reply to Briecheese]

You're so welcome Briecheese. Sorry my response is so late but I've been suffering from a major crash. I'm still housebound and can do very little. It's hard sometimes. Thinking of you today xx 🤗

[Nipper11]

I think you GP needs to research fibromyalgia and muscle pain ? Silly response to your health question. There are some simple tests you can do to self help yourself. Check your shoes do they support your feet /back correctly 🤔 change them to see the outcome.

Rub magnesium oil spray to smooth the muscles in your leg. You can buy this oil from amazon and it does help . Use a tens machine on low setting to clear the Spasms in your muscles.

Keep the back of your legs warm rub them to help blood flow .

You can buy little electric exercise bike to keep the legs moving while sitting which will again help the blood flow.

Stretching your legs through out the day should also help. Drink more water and look at your vitamin D levels and take a good Vitamin C to support your immune system .

Relaxed with a heat pad under your legs to help the muscles relax. You can buy them from Dunelm or Argos. They are very good for pain . Use a long pillow between your legs which will help to remove any pressure on the muscles.

Perhaps research back leg muscles pain there might be more defined information for you to follow.

If none of these improves your leg pain see a different doctor at your surgery because there is so much more they can do to help you. Good luck and push for support . Please don't take a negative comments from your GP and just put up with it. Take care 🙂 xx

[Midori in reply to Nipper11]

I second all of your suggestions.

Cheers, Midori

[Briecheese]

I have specially made orthopaedic shoes, have a tens machine and do most of what you say. So fairly self sufficient. At nearly 80 I feel anyone that age or with a chronic illness needs continuity with a gp of their choice who understands and choice is something we do not get these days.

[Bertjolly]

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2000.Last year a trainee gp tried changing my medication and also said I don't think it's fibromyalgia, think it's polymyalgia rheumatica.

I left his room in floods of tears etc.

I was so scared that he was trying to change my meds etc.

He really upset me with his attitude like I was lying.

I reported him to the practice manager.

He then apologised

[Midori in reply to Bertjolly]

Take care; some of these 'trainees' are only Physician Associates, not fully Medically Qualified..

Cheers, Midori

[Bertjolly in reply to Midori]

Thankyou Midori.