Fibromyalgia

[Callo56]

Has anyone else had a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia? I've been visiting my GP on a monthly basis to get to the bottom of my fatigue, aching all over, etc, etc. and yesterday he diagnosed fibromyalgia. I've looked it up and many of the symptoms are the same as B12 deficiency. {I have 12 weekly B12 injections )

[fbirder]

I was expecting a diagnosis of 'we have no bloody idea what's causing it so we'll say you've got fibromyalgia, now go away'. But it became clear that the worst of my fatigue and pain reduced substantially just after my B12 jabs. And B12 has had some effect on people with FM, ME, CFS - fibromyalgianewstoday.com/2...

So it may be worth asking your GP to try you out on more frequent jabs - every week would be best, but anything more often than four times a year will be an improvement.

If your GP is one of the intelligent ones you could print out the above link and ask him to read it. Actually, print out the actual paper - journals.plos.org/plosone/a... - docs get loads of rubbish from Interweb sites. Real scientific papers tend to get a better response.

[Ruthi in reply to fbirder]

I was given a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, and one of CFS/ME when I my thyroid was declining, but the tests were 'normal'. If they haven't done it yet ask your doctor to test your thyroid function. Then post the results on the ThyroidUK board here on Healthunlocked.

As with B12D, GPs are ruled by arbitrary thyroid 'ranges' which are supposed to be indicative, but often treated as gospel.

[Callo56 in reply to Ruthi]

Good advice Ruthi, thanks

[Marz in reply to Callo56]

Did you manage t have the tests suggested above ?

[Callo56 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks Firebirder, I must admit I thought the same!

I'll certainly follow your advice and take the paper to my GP, he is open minded (except when it comes to more frequent injections!!!)

[fbirder in reply to Callo56]

If he is open-minded then he may be amenable to increasing the frequency of B12 jabs. He may be able to claim CPD (Continuing Professional Development) points by reading the paper and using the information therein to treat a patient.

You both end up winners.

He may be worried that you'll be taking 'too much' B12. Look at the Stichting Tekort pinned posts for something about how large doses of B12 do Jo harm.

[PaulaW61 in reply to fbirder]

Thanks have downloaded the paper

[appleblossom21 in reply to fbirder]

Dear Fburder. Please cld you advise me on the best place to buy Vit B12 injections? I live in the UK. Thanks

[PaulaW61]

I was recently found to have low folic acid and B12 levels after years of visiting the doctor to get to the bottom of my chronic fatigue and I upped my contact with them over the last eighteen months when I started to get aching muscles as well. We did the rule out test and you have to be seen by a specialist rheumatologist who makes the diagnosis and he was my last port of call when he diagnosed me. More recently I've not been totally convinced that there was nothing else wrong, ive pushed for blood tests and found I had low vit D levels 18 months ago which was treated and then back in February too. They checked my Vit B12 3 months ago and levels were apparently decreasing, but they said nothing to me and did nothing about it. More recently they checked them again when a nurse saw that I had red hands. I was found to be very low in B12 and folic acid, and I've just had 6 injections and although I was told I should feel less tired, I'm just as weak. There are other forces at work here, like having depression and being started on new medication, but I'm totally flummoxed by my body's non-reaction to these injections!

[Marz in reply to PaulaW61]

PaulaW61 - maybe worth having the FULL Thyroid profile tested - TSH - FT4 - FT3 and the Anti-bodies Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. Docs mostly just test the TSH which is such a small part of the story and diagnosis. When you have the results pop them onto Thyroid UK in a new post and people will be there to advise and support.

B12 and Thyroid training is sadly lacking .....

Red palms can sometimes be adrenals

[Ruthi]

AWAYS ask for your test results if you cannot see them online. Then research until you understand what is going on.

[Marz]

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2000 - by a Consultant Rheumatologist. In 2005 I was diagnosed with Hashimotos here in Crete and so my journey back to health began. You can click onto my name and read about my journey. It is not perfect - and I will be 70 this week - but am feeling so well in comparison to those very difficult times. Still teaching yoga - swimming - and enjoying life.

I personally thing fibro is linked to poorly treated thyroids - as the T3 is rarely tested and so the Medics are not aware that the most important thyroid hormone that is needed in every one of the trillions and trillions and cells in the body - is so low in the range.

I have seen many blood test results ( we keep our own records here ) where the TSH and FT4 are in range and declared normal - however the FT3 is oh so LOW. What a pity GP's do not understand the workings of this gland.