Can anyone tell me why it takes so long to tell you that you have fibromyagia.

[Jan52]

I think i might have it,i have all the symptoms.I went to hospital over a year ago and they said they think i have this condition.I have been on sofa for 2 days in pain and no energy i feel like ime going mad.How long did it take for anyone else.Thankyou

[AuroraA]

It took 2 years for me, during which time I had some awful experiences with GPs - one asked me 'Did you have a traumatic childhood?' When I said yes, he told me that was why I was experiencing physical pain and all the other weird symptoms, and that was it! - It was only through a chance move to a different part of the country, and a very receptive new GP, that I was referred to rheumatology at my local hospital, who diagnosed FMS within 10 minutes. That was 6 years ago now. I hope that you can soon find answers to why you are feeling so unwell. Just keep trying, and change doctors if the one you see is not very helpful. Perhaps try writing down all your symptoms and showing them your list. I kept a symptom journal for a few weeks and took that with me... it helped as I find visiting the Dr very anxiety provoking! Good luck.

[kraftyk8]

Unfortunately, you need to have had the symptoms consistently for more than 3 months before it can be considered as FM. Also, because of the huge number of possible symptoms of FM that can also crop up as symptoms of far more serious conditions, those need to be ruled out first. Added to this, is the possibility that you could have more than one condition and FM is just one of them. Then you have to remember that unlike most conditions, there is no definitive test that will confirm the diagnosis. Anyone who lives a black & white existence will have real trouble dealing with FM as it seems to be entirely shades of grey. I know it can be really frustrating but you have to keep the pressure up on the medics. It sounds like you need a Rheumatology Consultant appointment. Tell them you are expecting a diagnosis, so that you can get on with the business of getting whatever it is, treated.

[babebatista]

It's taken at least two years for me and still I see more and more symptoms all the time and think to myself I may of had it for much longer. The reason it takes so long to be diagnosed is because there is no straight test you can have to be checked for it. It's more an exclusion of things really, so they'll say it's not that, it's not that, it's this. There are many many tests that you have to undergo and it is really frustrating, but once it's diagnosed you'll at least know what's wrong with you and why you are in so much pain. Hope this helps hun xxx

[Jan52]

Thankyou.I have been taking Amitriptyline for about 6 months now,the rheumatologist said she thought i might have fibromyagia and sent me to a pain clinic but they said we dont know why you have this pain.I cant seem to get someone to say that i have it,i know it wont make any difference to how i feel but at least i would know.Somebody else told me if they have given me Amitriptyline they must think that i have it.I just dont know.Thankyou for replying AuroraA.

[Ebony]

Strange for a Pain Clinic to say that, the one I went to was really geat. I think I must one of the lucky ones as I got a diagnosis within about 3 months.

I hope you soon get it sorted

[Jan52]

Thankyou to everyone thats replyed,i am so glad i found this site.

I was first seen by a rheumatologist over a year ago who then sent me to the pain clinic.I take pain killers everyday and the Amitriptyline,i feel very depressed at the moment because the pain and tiredness is getting me down i feel like if my place was on fire i coudnt move to get up.I think i will take your advice and ring gp in the morning.

[nuttytartuk2003]

I first started going to my doctors with pain in 1987, as I had been in a car accident that year, the doc put the pain in my back, neck and arms down to that but in 1998 I started to feel very tired and slept all the time and went back to my doc, he said I was depressed and put me on anti-depressants which I stayed on for 2 years, I was still complaining of pains and exhaustion so he gave me solpadol, they didnt touch the pain, I was on them for 2 years, then he changed them to tramadol but still I had severe pain, I stopped going to my doctor till 2008 as he wouldnt listen or give me anything stronger, when I couldnt stand the pain any longer I went back to see him and I told him all my symptoms, he listened for the 1st time, he arranged for all sorts of tests and I was finally diagnosed in 2010 with fibro and m.e

I believe I've had this illness for 20+ yrs but from the 1st test I had in 2008 and a rhumatologist referal it took about 18 months for a diagnosis.

[Jan52 in reply to nuttytartuk2003]

Thankyou,i also was put on anti-depressants,ime going to ring gp in the morning and see if there is any other pain killer i can take,you get fed up telling people how tired you are and that you have no energy and i didnt even connect all the other symptoms that i have.Thats along time 20 years.I wonder how long people did suffer not knowing what was wrong with them like yourself.I never even heard of fibromyagia untill i first went to hospital. i wonder if its worth going private to get a answer.i just want to know,Best wishes to you.

[dobby-the-house-elf]

Jan i dont wont to make it sound bad but i first started having problems over 15 years ago but only got it confirmed about 5 years ago when my GP past away and her replacement knew straight away i went to the specialist and he confimed in 2 months after blood tests and xrays ruled out everything else. HANG IN THERE you will get the conformation soon.

did anyone find out how you get that spell checker?

[marcy57]

i was diagnozed month ago. but 25yrs ago was told i was depresses and ect admisions in mental places.they didnt know bt fibro thosedays.so annoying

[patrisha]

I was Diagnosed about 1 year ago but I havehad symtoms for 14 years xx

[Hidden]

It took seven years for a orthopaedic surgeon at the hospital to finally diagnose me and still my Dr says they only say I have it because they have no idea whats wrong with me

[Frankiebeee]

My GP thought I had it after 6 months of consistent symptoms that I kept presenting. He then referred me - which took another 6 months but at least my GP began treating me for FM until then.

[Wales1965]

5 years, 6 different consultants, lost my house, job, car and ended up in a massive amount of debt as protection plans refused to pay up as gp said I was suffering from depression and I had pmt as a teenager and therefore had a history of similar condition! still not formally diagnosed yet though but looks likely but maybe with other conditions as well

[Jan52]

Thankyou everyone.xx