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Could this be Fibromyalgia ?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Hollymayshipton
Hollymayshipton

Hello,

Over the past 6 months I have been experiencing many symptoms and have developed health anxiety. The symptoms I have are obviously making me think I have cancer or something terrible but I was wondering if anyone thought it might be fibro as all blood test results keep coming back normal and the doc wont send me for scans. The symptoms I have are:

Pain- mainly in neck, back and head but ache all over and find doing normal activities strenuous

Headaches everyday and sometimes burning and tingling on top pf head

extremely tired all the time and never feel like ive had a refreshing sleep

swollen glands in neck

reccurant viruses and illnesses

sore muscles and feel like my skins bruised

cold/pins and needles in hands and feet

muscle twitching

sore throat regularly

clicky joints

cramp a lot

I am very exhausted by all of this and am dying for a diagnoses as im terrified its something worse

anyone else relate ?

thanks, Holly

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • airyfairy85
    airyfairy85 Hollymayshipton

    Posted

    Dear Holly,

    I can very much relate to what you're describing. I developed fibro less than a year ago. When the symptoms started out of the blue, I was extremely anxious about what was going on with my body, as I had never had a serious health concern before - I also thought it could be something life threatening. I had something like a panic attack one day, thinking about it all. My symptoms were all exactly like yours - all except for swollen glands. I had blood test after blood test and everything looked perfect (except for my thyroid which has been underactive for a few years but is being treated). I had an x-ray and an ultrasound that showed nothing unusual.

    I was relieved but also very upset when I went to a rheumatologist and got the diagnosis of fibromyalgia. Relieved that it wasn't something life-threatening, but upset about how my life could/would change as a result of having this chronic condition. Have you made an appointment with a rheumatologist yet?

    Fortunately, the anxiety has eased a lot since I got the diagnosis, and I'm coming to terms with having fibromyalgia. Sometimes fibromyalgia can improve, or go away, and I'm keeping up hope that that could happen to me. I have made some changes to my life - I go out less, stopped running but exercise more regularly and more gently - walking, swimming and yoga, cook handy meals (I used to like to make new recipes etc but now stick to simple dinners), try not to plan to do too much in one day. I'm not sure if I'm improving but I'm definitely managing it ok so far - for me, exercise, rest and sleep help to keep symptoms under control. 

    I know there is not much point saying this to you - but try not to worry. If your blood tests are coming back normal, brilliant! I hope it makes you feel better to know that your symptoms are typical of fibromyalgia - and that if that's what you have, there are things you can do to manage it. 

    By the way, I went to 2 different rheumatologists - and the first one didn't make the fibromyalgia diagnosis. You might need to go to a few doctors to get a diagnosis, if it's fibromyalgia you have.

    Hope you feel a bit reassured by my email.

    All the best,

    Marie

     

    • Hollymayshipton
      Hollymayshipton airyfairy85

      Posted

      Thankyou so much for your reply! It's nice to find someone who relates. It's the headaches and funny sensations that bother me most - I keep thinking it is a brain tumor sad I will suggest fibromyalgia at my next doctors appointment and see what she thinks, is a rheumatologist a private healthcare service or can you ask to be referred to one from your GP ? 

      Thanks again, Holly 

    • airyfairy85
      airyfairy85 Hollymayshipton

      Posted

      Dear Holly,

      I'm in dublin so not sure about the UK (if that's where you are) - but I believe you can go through the public system if you wish. However, you should ask about waiting lists - if they are long it might be worth paying the money to go private and get in faster - for your own peace of mind.

      I also had the headaches - but they have eased off once my anxiety settled down. Headaches are also a symtom of fibromyalgia - migrane or other headaches. I sometimes get sharp pains in my head that pass quickly. Fibromyalgia is related to the nervous system - and this can cause funny sensations - pins and needles, pain, electric shock like sensations, sensitivity. My doctors weren't worried about a brain tumour when I presented them with a list of the very same symptoms as yours - I think it's very unlikely. Fibromyalgia on the other hand is very common. After I found out I had it, I started hearing about lots of other women with it. The best thing you can do is try to stop worrying, and go for nice calming walks, or swimming, meet a friend for coffee and a chat. Yoga/pilates is great too, both for relieving the aches and pains, and for relieving anxiety.

      I think you should definitely mention fibromyalgia at your next doctors appointment - I think many doctors fail to make this diagnosis. Of course it's important you get tests to rule out other things, but your symptoms sound very like mine! If you get the diagnosis - try to manage without the medications, unless you really need them. As far as I know, the treatments can have lots of unwanted side effects.

      Good luck, and hope you feel better.

      Marie :-)

  • anne90395
    anne90395 Hollymayshipton

    Posted

    Hello Holly,

    Unfortunately your symptoms do sound like fibro. Although, obviously not a brain tumour - some relief. My Mum died from a brain tumour and had no headaches, hope this reassures you a little. Also I have no headaches, but do have fibro. With this syndrome it is a process of elimination, so lots of tests is good. I think people are usually eventually diagnosed by rheumatologist, so you must ask for this. Good luck.

    Take care, Anne

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