did you believe the diagnosis

[aplus1]

when i was told i had fibromyalgia i had never heard of it, i felt the doctors were fobbing me off as a mad woman with pain that was in my head, the pain is real very real, does anyone else feel this way? the doctors have done nothing for me just gave me a web address to look at.

[Extremelygrumpy]

I had never heard of it either but I think I was very lucky and was diagnosed 22 years ago by a young gp not long qualified who knew all about it.. I was given leaflets. The address of A local fibro group who held meetings and pain meds... Sadly we moved hundreds of miles away 12 years ago but he still practices at the same surgery so anyone going to him will be well looked after. Saying that after some rough patches with my new gp he is now very helpful and I do feel he is doing all he can to keep me going... But I have been referred to physios and consultants who despite my gps notes have been as much use as a chocolate teapot...can you change drs or maybe as I did with the new gp write him a letter about how you feel cos I didn't feel I could explain myself without crying

Good luck

VG x

[Hidden]

Hi with me and my doctor is was a process of elimination over months plus many blood tests and referrals before it was decided I probably do have fibro though I am still going to the ME/CFS CLINIC at the Liverpool Royal to see if they can shed anymore light on it.

Piggy hugs xxxx

[Hidden]

Because my diagnosis took a long time, when it eventually came I did believe it. I knew something significant was wrong with me because my life used to be like a cyclone, I never tired, could stay awake almost 24 hours and not feel tired. I kept going and going no matter what. When eventually I came to a grinding halt and was bed bound, I knew something radical was wrong, I hadn't even been off sick from work ever and now I couldn't work.

To get my diagnosis was a relief that I wasn't going mad, there was something wrong with me, which I knew all along. Once I received the diagnosis, I was determined to get as well as I could, manage the condition as well as I could and for it not to end my life. I so badly wanted to live and that's what I still intend to keep doing, no matter what. I have too much to live for, three children, hubby, and my dear mum too.

I have a supportive GP and Consultant too, things could be a lot worse for me.

[Kirby]

Yes, I found it a relief too to get the diagnosis, relatively recently (3 years ago) though I reckon I've had it for much longer

[Hidden]

My doc sort of told me to go away and think about things while having other tests done and think about starting on some other meds...I am not too bad at min though have just been on yet another course of meds...finally reduced things a little again and now got the lurgy so feeling poo with that instead....two days off work this week though so not quite as much on my plate.

I was relieved when the doc came up with an answer and I told him I loved him for actually making me not feel like a total fraud...how can blood tests show nothing when there is actually something quite serious going on...Its a strange illness and maybe thats the problem.

[hollykarma]

Many doctors still do not recognise fibromyalgia. I was treated by the mental health people and they as good as told me I was mad. Mad ? I was furious lol (have to have a sense of humour). I tried to explain to them that no-one would want this condition. I am in constant pain. If I take pain killers I am zonked out and it really isn't any life at all. If I don't take them I am in so much pain I can't function anyway. I wish they would do more research into this condition and come up with medication that would enable us to live a "normal" life without pain, but I guess that is just wishful thinking.