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Could this be fibromyalgia?

Posted , 6 users are following.

chickabee
chickabee

A few years ago symptoms built up ticking many of the Sjogern's syndrome boxes, but the test proved negative.  Then followed severe bilateral frozen shoulders lasting 7+ months,  Now the hips have the same symptoms.  The GP thought possible Polymyalgia Rheumatica, but tests for this also proved negative.  Disheartened, and with increasing immobility with pain extending to most parts, especially sore muscles in arms legs and low back, am now wondering if this could all be related to FM?  The more I research FM, the more likely it seems as just about every symptom I have is mentioned.  Am loath to keep pestering the GP, but although Ibuprofen help to ease the soreness a little, things seem to be getting worse.  Will see the GP again of course, but would appreciate any helpful comments.  Thanks

Chickabee

1 like, 22 replies

22 Replies

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  • Maggers
    Maggers chickabee

    Posted

    Hi Chickabee

    Ask your GP for a referral to Rheumatologist as they are the people who usually diagnose fibro.  It is not a quick diagnosis but made when everything else has been ruled out.   To ease pain most fibro folk use epsom salts in a bath - you may find this helps. Have you had your vit D checked as low vit D is responsible for muscle cramps, pains and general aches.   You definitely need to return to your GP - that's what they are there for, never feel a nuisance, if it matters to you then it should matter to your GP.   There will be a few other fibro folk along to give their take soon.  take care and keep us posted.

     

    • chickabee
      chickabee Maggers

      Posted

      How very helpful Maggers...thank you so much.  Will try the opsom salts.  Had a recent blood test, so deficiencies should have shown up.

      Am feeling a lot better knowing there are people out there willing to be supportive.  Am 77...and discovered growing old is not for wimps!

      Chickabee

    • Maggers
      Maggers chickabee

      Posted

      Might be worth phoning the surgery and asking whether a vit D test was done as it is so often overlooked.   Never suffer in silence there are some lovely folk on these boards only to willing to offer a shoulder/gentle hug/advice etc or even share a  joke or two with.  Don't know what I would do without them all.
    • chickabee
      chickabee Maggers

      Posted

      Will do Maggers.  Agree with you about people on this site...they saw me through the agony of FS, and was delighted to see FM was on board too!

      Inspired by you, will check out 'baby cot death', as words of a divine source came to mind when my nephew's babe died moments after birth.

      Chickabee

    • loxie
      loxie Maggers

      Posted

      I so appreciate all the lovely people on here willing to give guidance, advice and just moral support.  I hadn't even heard of fibromyalgia and for years have just been totally in the dark and a bit lost to be honest.  As much as its hateful to have the symptoms of this vile syndrome, I at least now have comfort in others who can share what I'm going through.  Thank you all so very much - I was really at the end of my tether before finding this support network.
    • Maggers
      Maggers loxie

      Posted

      Thank goodness for technology otherwise we would all be sitting alone and completely unaware that others could help us and us them.  Let's face it even if we met someone with fibro we wouldn't necessarily know!   Community even virtual community is so important for our general wellbeing. 
  • loxie
    loxie chickabee

    Posted

    I really sympathise Chickabee.  I've being having a build up of symptoms over the last couple of years and every time I see a doctor, I get a different opinion as to possible cause and various meds prescribed which havent helped much.  The appointment before last the GP mentioned poss fibromyalgia and organised a whole bunch of blood tests.  At the latest appointment to get results, all tests apparently came back 'normal' (whatever that means) and no more mention of fibro.  She proffered it might be the onset of further arthritis but I already have OA in one or two joints and I know the pain is different plus all the other subsidiary symptoms like brain fog and exhaustion etc.  I told her it wasnt arthritis pain, its very different and this pain is not in the joints but rather the muscles.  She wanted to refer me only to the 'memory clinic' but I insisted I dont have memory problems, I have trouble focussing as though my mind cant cope with focus on the pain and then trying to think clearly on anything else so now she's referred me for a neurologist appointment.  

    I take anti inflamms (ibuprofen at first but now naproxen) for the OA but they dont do anything for the fibro type pain as its not really an inflammatory pain.  I take paracetamol which helps a little but not enough and I dont want to increase the dose for fear of other damage.  As Maggers has said Epsom salts (magnesium) in the bath do help a lot.  My doctor also mentioned gabapentin but didnt actually prescribe it, so I'm at a loss really to determine what may help.  I also go to meditation classes, which help me relax and clear the mind and try to focus away from the pain - they do help a little but the benefits dont last long.  Sore muscles in arms and legs is one of the prime symptoms of fibro, along with patches of numbness, leaden limbs, inability to focus the mind, chronic fatigue and a whole range of other minor subsidiary stuff.  My GP practice obviously doesn't favour a diagnosis of FM and I rather feel they're looking at placating me with options for treating individual symptoms instead of finding the root cause and treating that accordingly.  Good luck with your doctor, do keep pushing for them to understand the whole picture re your problems and not just focus on one symptom, ie pain, and only get fobbed off with over the counter anti inflamms etc. 

    • chickabee
      chickabee loxie

      Posted

      Thank you so much Loxie for your helpful reply.  I guess dispair is on the cards if even the medics can't get it right.  Have to say the youngest Dr seemed to be more intersted than the older Drs, but then FM has only been recognised for a short period of time, so no surprise older Drs have little knowledge of it.  My main frustration with the system is that Drs don't seem to check up one's previous complaints that might give them a whole new overview of the problem.  Will now ask for a Rheumatoloy referral,..more hope there maybe!

      Chickabee

  • valerie826
    valerie826 chickabee

    Posted

    Hi Chickbee: Ur symptoms definitely sound like Fibro, so do keep pushing your GP. Also pusy your GP for a referral to a RA specialist. I just got my diagnosis last October. You have to be on top of your health cuz you know your body so much better then your doctor.

    Hang in there & keep us posted.

    Smiles & Giggles,

    Valerie826

    • chickabee
      chickabee valerie826

      Posted

      Thanks Valerie...am getting there.  Am sure my GP wil refer me, as he did look a little momplussed!

      Glad you finally got your diagnosis sorted, now at least you know what you are dealing with, and that's a step in the right direction.

      Chickabee

  • lisa52101
    lisa52101 chickabee

    Posted

    Hi chickabee, 

    I completely agree with what everyone else here is saying. It's tough getting the diagnosis and your right getting to the root cause is much more beneficial than chasing the symptoms. You really have to push for that rheumatology referral and I also found getting referred to a pain clinic very useful. Like you I have other conditions that overlap and made diagnosis difficult including OA in my spine and both hips. It also seems like everybody has been vit D deficient too so well worth getting that checked.

    Good luck with it all xx

    • chickabee
      chickabee lisa52101

      Posted

      Thank you Lisa...am hot on the trail of my .

      GP...will keep you posted

      Chickabee

  • Flowerlady
    Flowerlady chickabee

    Posted

    You sure need a referal from your Doctor, to see a Rheumatologist they can help you further. Good luck.
  • kaz_40
    kaz_40 chickabee

    Posted

    Hi The rhumatologist diagnosed my fibromyalgia by doing test to rule out rhumatoild arthritus, he did a pressure point test their are 18 pressure points I got the full 18 he sent me for a bone scan and blood test. I had low vitamin d. he diagnosed fibro then it was back to the drs for pain meds research fibro as much as you can. the rheumotologist is normally the person that diagnoses fibro once all other conditions are ruled out. it took from2004 to 2014 for me to finally get diagnosed take care gentle hugs
    • chickabee
      chickabee kaz_40

      Posted

      Well, thank you Kas.  Info is tumbling into my inbox from some lovely people out there...which has really lifted my spirits.  There is a lot to think about and plans to make along the route to enlightenment.  The fact there is no apparent cure is disappointing, but oodles of things to try to improve life.  Always good to have direction and
    • chickabee
      chickabee

      Posted

      support.mucich appreciated Kaz

      Chickabee

       

    • kaz_40
      kaz_40 chickabee

      Posted

      I wish their was a cure for us, its trial error on so many things its finding things that we can take or use to help us as much as we can. I have different aids walking stick walking frame I know have to use a wheel chair I cant walk any where mobility has got worse. research fibro as much as you can get as much help support as you can from your gp. also see if theirs a fibro support group in your area. its take each day as it comes 1 thing we all have to do is learn to pace our selves on everything we do.having fibro is a learning curve for us all on this forum we support each other and advise each other as we are all in this togeather and we know how each other is feeling takecare gentle hugs 
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