What did you go through before getting a diagnosis

Sorry to hear that. I have had various pain for years, and its not until the last 3 years or so have I really done anything about it.  I was first diagnosed with arthritis in various places.  Then I had a bad neck which I couldnt move and that was when I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.  I had irritable bowel for many years before actually getting it diagnosed if i'm truthfull possibly 30 years!! I have just had just over a week off as my neck went into spasm badly and am due back on weds  but I know I am not well enough but my employer will go mad if i get signed off still. 

I have been sick for years everything that fibromyalgia can bring I have but I have had the longest is migraines and ibs now gradually fatigue depression anxiety neck hip heel pain

Im afraid it was a long ride I kept going back to drs telling them how i felt they kept saying i was depressed my answer was always the same i had depression a long time ago and a breakdown and all i was suffering from was different i was too tired and in pain to keep going they sent me to several consultants all sent me to someone else then a lovely dr that arrived at my surgery dr cuzel who understood sent me to a hospital dr who again listened she said I know you are suffering from fibromyalgia finally an answer i did some research and it sounded like me then came the CFS i went to a clinic at st albans who deal with Me (cfs) they made me feel like i wasnt willing to help myself i had 3 kids turning to teenagers and a job i was being told to rest every 10 minutes then do a bit more really difficult when working in retail. I told work they made me feel stupid they said if i did that id have toake up the time at the end of each day. There are no benefits to help me to reduce my hours. My kids are all grown now health has got worse had a fall got sciatica been off work on and off work has had me in for wellness meeting and ive had to cut my hours can barely manage financially. I have names for my illnesses finally chronic back pain to go with the fibro, cfs and now im no better off 2 of my kids have left home and cant be bothered with me and my eldest helps all she can but she due to get married and im telling her not to worry about me i havent the heart to say i dont know how im going to cope . Ive tried accupuncture a chiropractor all helps for a few days but thats expensive . Feels cruel to have this illness like you i feel the cold i bruise easily i hope you can get more help than ive had its been years for me just wish i could wake up one day and its all a bad dream. Keep going back to the drs and ask for second opinions or to see consultants you will get an answer somehow but it is a long process. Sorry if i ranted . Good luck

Hi Jess like you I tried everything I already had osteoarthritis in several areas so my GP said that was causing all other problems I did get seen by a rheumatologist who again said osteoarthritis told me to try Pilates which I did oh and take amithripthalyne which I had already been prescribed so I came away disappointed . In May this year I paid to see a rheumatologist who gave me a rigorous examination and diagnosed me with fibro as well . He was very knowledgable and helped me with medication but also encouraged the use of things such as hypnotherapy which I am now using and training to do myself I've also found physio deep massarge good although only gives short term relief

Hi Jessixa,

the best piece of advice I can give, is to reiterate what Maggie said and that is to get yourself referred to a Rheumatologist.  No disrespect to doctors, but a Rheumatologist is more qualified in this field than a GP.  

My pain started in my legs and back around 40 years ago and is now all over my body.  I can really empathise with you, pain makes us feel so down.  Also it's not something that someone can see, so often we are not believed.  Hang on in there. x  

I'm back to the doctors today see what they say my back is so tender to touch today even just to itch a scratch 😯

Well I'm booked in for a mri scan but he says there won't be anything to show but it will just tick the box to confirm it is fybromyalgia I guess is a good think but it's kind of hit home now what do I do about work do I need to cut down x