Hello, hope this makes sense, and im really getting stressed about this
I have been experiencing pain in my fingers, knees, toes, hips, neck, back and i have got tingling and aching in my left arm, plus loads other things dry eye, tmj, ibs i have had the pain for about 5 years. I have had numerous tests for lupus and arthiritus, everything comes back fine. The gp has took blood sample which will take a month to come back, and then she said she will refer me to a rheumatologist, which can take 4 months for a referral to come through. My mum has said she will pay for me to see a rheumatologist privately and i have appointment this tuesday. Im just wandering my boyfriend has said that he thinks they will start adding tests that i dont need, so it makes the bill bigger. i really cant afford to pay for any tests. but i just want to know if i do have fibro, as my gp said i do display alot of the symptoms. please any advice would be appreciated thank you for taking the time to read this
Lotty
I went through something similar when I was 17, this is quite a personal question but are you on the contraceptive pill? If so, STOP. All my symptoms were an adverse reaction/allergy to artificial hormones.
The other side of this is that my sister has fibro and something called EDS. she's happily married and has a beautiful baby boy - a diagnosis doesn't mean the end of your life it just means they'll know how to manage your pain.
They'll probably test your ANA antibodies to see if you have rheumatoid factor, that will be the definitive test for rheumatoid arthritis, they will also check your immune system and various out white blood cell counts. Blood tests are vital to this process, they may want to do MRI's or CT scans though to look at what your bones and muscles are doing so don't be surprised if they ask for these.
Feel free to PM me for any advice/support, it's not a nice thing to go through, but you are most definitely not alone.
Take too many pictures, laugh too much and love like you've never been hurt because every 60seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back
...don't be afraid your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
I've been dx with fibromyalgia and ultimately the way they diagnosed me was by doing blood tests and scans (for back and neck pain) which came back with nothing, then my GP did a 'trigger point' test and because I found lots of those points painful he said I met the criteria for it. Personally, I haven't found the dx made much difference, but rather just explains the pain and tiredness I experience, if that makes sense..feel free to Pm me if u want to talk more
"just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a beautiful butterfly..."
thank you both for replying i got diagnosed today. i do have fibromyalgia i cried when he told me think it was relief to know whats wrong with me. im annoyed that its taken 5 years and numerous visits to the doctor. the dr said that i can see him on the nhs then we can discuss pain management. need to research treatment options.
lotty
I'm glad you got an answer. I also have fibromyalgia. The main advice I can offer you is to move. I know it hurts, and I know that sucks, but try to keep moving, even if it's just a 5 minute walk. I know that natural reaction is to rest, and you should definitely do that too, but careful exercise (gentle walking, stretching, yoga, swimming, etc) stops your muscles from seizing up and becoming tense.
Remember to take everything in moderation.
Now I'll play your ghost as my ace, whenever I'm led astray.
But I am actually good, can't help it if we're tilted.
I'm in my right place, don't be a downer.
Hello thanks for replying I'm sorry you have it too. I'm really struggling at the minute as the pain is really bad. I'm waiting to see the rheumatologist and specialist fibro nurse. I can't physically take tablets I think it's my ocd so that is making things so much worse. I thought that once I knew what was wrong with me I would feel better, I don't, I saw 8 doctors some looked at me like I was wasting there time. Now I'm angry that I have been in Lots of pain for years and misdiagnosed with lupus and early menopause later found out I didn't have either. I get upset everyday and to be honest if I have to live like this I would rather not live at all . I'm sorry this Is such a negative post
What do you mean about not being able to take tablets? Do you have a physical condition that prevents the swallow, or do you just not know how to do it or do you feel you can't because of OCD thoughts?
Hang on in there. You won't have to live like this for too much longer, because there's a referral in the pipeline and then there's an opportunity for lots of change. Do you know when the rheumatologist appointment might be through?
I'm sorry things are so hard right now, but don't give up hope!
I really do struggle to take tablets because of the ocd. I'm looking at a 3 month wait to see the dr. I'm really struggling with the pain it's really bad and the fatigue with a few hours of me waking up I'm sleeping again. I didn't accept a place on the course as I don't think I could keep up. I feel like such a useless failure. I feel upset most of the time and cry loads. I'm also struggling with suicidal thoughts they have never been this bad before. I'm not sure what to do anymore I keep thinking things will get better but to be honest my life just feels like a downward spiral. To make things worse my sister is pregnant and has a amazing job, I can't have children and I won't ever have my dream job like her, this just ads to me feeling more of a failure. Hope this makes sense
Lotty
