I'm sure I have Fibromyalgia,but no diagnosis
Posted , 4 users are following.
I've made several posts under different complaints~looking for assurance. I know that no one can make a diagnosis for me,but the symptoms I have seem to correspond with many on this site. Briefly,over the last 10 years (maybe more) I have become less active due to stiffness all over my body. I've thought it was old age creeping on me (I'm now 65). Mentioned it to my GP several times,but only when I've been cpnsulting him about something else. Things "came to a head" last year when I saw my Urologist. I couldn't sit down for his appointment~he asked why and I told him that I had great difficulty standing after sitting. He then commented thet my posture was bad and looked at my spine on my kidney x rays. He thought I had Ankylosing Spondylitis and referred me to a Rheumatologist. Saw him in January and he said it wasn't AS, but he thought it could be osteoarthritis in my neck & spine. X rays confirmed this.He said there wasn't much he could do and was only prepared to see me once more. I saw him last month and I (not him) asked could it be Fibromyalgia. He said it may be and still says that there is nothing he can do. My ESR & CRP levels are raised in my blood,but he was very vague about why this is. I had to "drag" any comment from him. I find this site most helpful and I recognise most of the symptoms. I would like a definite diagnosis. Walking like a robot,difficulty in concentrating and abnormal tiredness are a few of my symptoms which seem to surprise the Rheumatologist,but are frequently mentioned by people posting on here. Maybe I'll get a diagnosis,but,meanwhile I'll read these posts,if only to confirm that these are definite symptoms I have, and I think I have Fibromyalgia. . Sorry it's a long(ish) post, Thanks for reading. Dot .
0 likes, 4 replies
ImustImust Dotcon
Posted
After some 3-4 years I was convinced that my ailments were due to ME/CFS. I went to the doctor and told him that I had looked it all up on the Internet and he rubbished it all as 'Doctor Google' but sent me to the local rheumatism hospital where they diagnosed it as yep ME/CFS. They also picked up on a slightly twisted spine. I got annoyed with my GP as when I made the appointement to see him I told the receptionist that is it was a possible ME problem I wanted to discuss and was assured that the days of doctors rubbishing ME/CFS as 'Yuppy flu' were long gone. It seems not.
Magpie2me Dotcon
Posted
We often look at doctors as if they were Demi gods. As if they had the last word on our health issues. Most of the time they will write a prescription and send the person on their way. Gone are the days where doctors actually 'listen' to the patient. There are still some conscientious ones but they are often few and far between. We know personally how we feel and the symptoms we are experiencing. I would encourage you Dotcon, to be your own caregiver. If tests have come back with no serious results, then begin to treat your own condition as if you do have Fibromyalgia. Apply the methods others use to help themselves to cope with the pain and fatigue. And lower your stress as much as it is in your power to do. Emotional stress plays havoc with our bodies. It tightens muscles and saps energy. I cannot stress enough how important it is to address our negative emotions. Writing down your feelings whether it be anger, hurt, frustration, fear or disappointment. You need to get these feelings out so that you can begin to find useful ways to change what you can and ultimately 'let go' of what you have no control over. Worry is detrimental. So get it out, either journaling, or talking it out with a trusted friend. Take care of yourself my dear. Maggie x
Dotcon Magpie2me
Posted
Thank you all for your replies.Yes,Maggie,you speak a lot of sense. I've thought for a long time that I should be my own caregiver and not just with Fibromyalgia!!! I suppose it was just a definite diagnosis I would have liked. Especially as it was my Urologist that raised the issue and referred me. Stress,of course is a factor in most (including my) people's lives and,of course,doctors have a prescription for that. I think I do have Fibromyalgia and will continue to read the symptoms and experiences of others who post here,and yes ,Maggie apply their methods. Thank you again, Dot
minnie4 Dotcon
Posted
Wise words from Magpie2me. I agree with it all. I had no idea I had fibro and assumed it was something they would 'put right' so I don't need to tell you the horror of finding out I'm stuck with it. But let's be honest, it could be far worse and I concur with Magpie2me, stress, worry, depression - in fact any negative emotions exacerbate all the symptoms to such an extent I can become completely incapacitated and unable to drag myself from my bed.
being given a diagnoses didn't help with the symptoms, gabapentin did coupled with codeine/paracetamol in high doses.
Exercise helps but but its a pain barrier you have to work through slowly to build yourself up. I set myself a target and if it proves too hard I lower the target until it's achievable and then up the target. I also find its good for self esteem and keeping the dreaded weight off from the gabapentin!
hope some of this helps x