Diagnosis

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia around three and a half years ago and i think i had it for around 8-10 years prior to this. I went to the doctors a number of times each year about how i was feeling sore, tired, rough etc and they kept saying its normal to feel that way your just tired, until a new doctor at the surgery actually listened and said no this isnt normal and asked me some extra questions: she then said straight away you have fibro!

Hi foxred. I was diagnosed only a few months after my first symptoms started. My GP diagnosed me. I'd had an extremely stressful previous year being diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and I think that's what brought the fibromyalgia on. xxx

Hi

I knew something was very wrong with me and my GP told me it was arthritis. My SED rate was 88 and he just ignored that. I got to the point..within 2 months..when I was full blown with pain and loss of my arm use and ended up at the ER on Christmas eve. From there they saw something wrong with my shoulder after taking x-rays so suggested I see an Ortho. He gave me a shot of cortisone in my shoulder and said I have a calcified rotator cuff. Then the pain went over to my other arm and muscle and all hell broke loose with neck and upper back pain. I went back to the ortho and he ordered blood work and knew this was not due to the rotator cuff. After the blood work came back my SED rate increased again and my CPR was 17.5. From there he sent me to a RHUMY and she repeated blood work again. I refused to leave her office until they told me something. Kicking and screaming my way out of there she told me she needed more data and told me she would call as soon as my blood work was back. Then after that and my exam she confirmed the PMR...

Hi Foxred

Ive just recently been diagnosed and mine took 2 years as they did lots of other tests to rule out other things first. Have you had other tests done for anything else to be ruled out? X

Hi foxred:

This is kind of a tough one.  In my case I suffered a long time with pain, yet over the many years, there really has been no solution.  It really depends on what doctor you have and the time they can provide in giving you personal attention.  Unfortunately, that doesn't hold much water now-a-days.  First off, are you young or an older person who qualifies for Medicare?  In my case and others as well who I have talked to here are generally  older and some are on Medicare.  Being on Medicare, I find doctors do not seem to have the time to spend with you as insurance limits their amount of time.  This is a true fact, I feel that many doctors do not like to treat Medicare patients much and many are dropping out.  Medicare are usually slow to pay and insurance companies in general sets limits on how much they will pay.  When they do, the doctors or hospitals get a fraction of what they charge.This is the reason why, doctors and hospitals submit the maximum possible.  Of course if money is no object, then you can choose your own doctor and get the best care possible.  This is the opinion I express as I have been in this go around for a very long time.  I had good doctors and pretty bad ones too.  I had doctors and staff who put me down and had just a no-care attitude.  Fortunately, I do have one great doctor who spends time with you, ask him any kind of medical and even non medical question and you will get an answer.  He is my GP and I am happy to have him.  You don't find many doctors now a days that really care.  The newer doctors today don't give you the examinations as doctors years ago.  Like I said, I have been suffering for many years of various ailments, been to many doctors and to this day, I still suffer with lots of pain in my lower back, neck, shoulders, legs and have fibro, chronic fatigue, spinal stenosis, nerve damage, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea and it hard to put a finger on it because it becomes complicated.  One suggestion, find a good doctor who can run necessary tests, lab work, and find where you can sit down with them to see what suggestions they make and do your own research.  Become y our own advocate but don't self diagnose.  Doctors hate that.  At least you will have good questions to ask them.  Plus when it is written down, I find they have more respect for you.  I had a few doctors that got mad at me because I did my own research.  They may even bring that up to you.  Just be prudent about it.  Sometimes it takes years to get a good diagnosis and mistakes are and I had a few of them too.  I hope that I didn't get you bogged down with this lenghtly letter but I like to explain things.  I hope you can get going on this and get a good diagnosis.  Meanwhile, stay well and have a good one.

mel

 

Hi foxred, i suffered for just over 2 years before i got a diagnosis and finally stopped being treated like i was a basket case hypochondriac.. 

 

I have suffered over 20yrs only diagnosed Aug 2014 with Fibromyalgia.

13 yrs of disabling pain, stiffness etc etc etc...  only diagnosed Sept 2015.  Sickening really isn't it, considering the issue was already plain and most obvious from the getgo...  Head, neck and spinal trauma is one of the most obvious instigators...  and when symptoms are prolonged and no sign of abating..go figure!!

Very distrusting of most Doctors now...It's all about Government Budgets and what they (the doctors) are allowed to do, allowed to diagnose in numbers, the same as doing referalls for Xrays and other tests...it's all governed how many per month/year in $ terms and numbers.

Ten years foxrdred, hope it helps...was being treated seperately for every single symptom for years, then the doctor got

bamboozel over the years of constant issues and sent me to a Rhumotologist..diagnosed in three days with him..be blessed.

have a lovely day..😘😘

Sorry foxred..ive had fibro and Sorgrens Sydrome 30 odd years

now..was diagnosed with SS first four months later Fibro..😚

I have seen many doctors and they have said it looks like I have fibromyalgia but want to,wait for me to finish going through the change because a lot of the symptoms we experience could be the same as the menopause. I am 57. She said you do notnwantnto have fibromyalgia on your notes. Anyone know why. I am aware you would have to inform insurances, I suppose the cost would be more. 

 

It took 6 years, and even then I wasn't told, my GP, just happened to mention it October 2015.