is this fibromyalgia?

Hi Erica

Oh no you shouldnt be having all this at your tender age. I am not a doctor so it would be wrong for me to say for sure but they certainly match my fibro symptoms. Its very frustrating when doctors dont listen isnt it. Could you take your mum along to be on your side, would they listen more then? or someone else if you prefer. Seems to me a referral to a rheumatologist would be helpful and at least some blood tests to confirm or rule things out. Its interesting it flares at your period times, hormones definitely can play havoc with our bodies. I encourage you back to your doctor and insist that they listen to you because this is horrible what you are suffering. Keeo me posted, good luck! V

Hi Erica,

I share vjl56's opinion: it might be fibromyalgia, but it could also be a number of other things such as arthritis, Lyme disease, hormonal imbalance or even food-induced bowel inflammation. It's important to get the right diagnosis, which may take some time and many tests. I know it sounds like a cliche but try to stay positive and don't give up (I'm a 33-year-old survivor, living with fibromyalgia for almost all my life and I believe staying positive really helps). Good luck!

thankyou both for replying! and for the advice

i have had blood tests and done x rays which both showed up clear thats why my doctor has brushed it off i think

As I posted on another similar forum Erika some GPs are good at referring on and others are not. If you are continuing to have symptoms, your GP should be thinking about sending you to a specialist. Try a small amount of regular exercise like walking each day doesnt have to be much but try and build it up if you can. Another thing is try and wind down before you go to bed as if its fibro you are likely to have what i call a manic brain thats on the go all the time and you need to calm this as much as you can before you go to sleep. If its fibro good sleep is very important, because if you sleep badly it just makes the fibro worse.

As Doris says it could be that you have a negative reaction to certain foods so you could try leaving out groups one at a time and see if it makes a difference. EG i cant eat cows dairy tho i do tolerate skimmed milk ok. a popular one to leave out is wheat. Might be worth a try but dont be brushed off you are too important for that to happen. Best V

Hi Erika, hormones definitely have a lot to answer for! It's quite common for symptoms to increase around the time of the month and things tend to be more heightened....even going to the dentist can be worse as u can bmore sensitive just before your period! Autoimmune problems can be difficult to diagnose, especially fibro and cfs as they are more a diagnosis of elimination of lots of other things first, and many tests will generally come back normal. Is there another doctor in your practise you could perhaps see for a second opinionor refer you to someone who may have more of an idea? At 16, it is possible for you to have these conditions but far less likely. AS VJ said, perhaps go back with your Mum for support and maybe present a diary/list of the symptoms you've been having as this will help the doctor see any patterns in your condition. Good luck

Hi Erika I completely agree with JK - push - you are far too young to be dealing with this on your own it needs sorting. Sometimes young people of your age get CFS and the added stress of school exams etc can contribute. Please dont give up! V

Hello yes it does sound like your suffering. And like you I flare up when I am on my period (as if they weren't bad enough eh!?) I must admit I was lucky, went to dr with all my symptoms written down and explained it runs in my birth family. He sent me for a few blood tests to rule out everything else and when it all came back clear I was diagnosed with fibro. I am on pain management now and he said there was no point sending me to rheumatology as he personally feels its a waste of time when all they do is send you back to drs for pain management anyway, I've heard acupuncture can work but I've just passed my year wait after getting a tattoo to give blood. So it's not a option for me. Hope all goes well though XXX

Thank you all for replying and for the support i will take everything you have said into consideration, its been very helpful !