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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 2/10/2014 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi I have not been diagnosed as having fm although it has been mentioned as a possibility! Who would ur gp refer u 2 for a diagnosis? I have been referred to a pain clinic, does any1 know what I should expect from them? Thanks

Post Edited (Jackie5) : 2/10/2014 5:33:43 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/11/2014 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
A board certified rheumatologist Is a great place to start. Look for them in your area and call each one to see if they treat FM. I've never been to a pain clinic so not sure. But I'm sure one of the other members whom has will be around shorty. Check out the 1st thread fibro 101. Chalked full of good info. Please tell us more about you and what's been going on. We're here to help each other.
Posted 2/11/2014 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have had pack pain for several years following a car accident and a year ago neck pain started! I was diagnosed with arthritis of the neck & spine and take mst and diazepam for this. about 9 months ago I started to lose the feeling in my hands( knumbness &/or pins&needles) and extreme fatigue! Over xmas I spent 6 days in bed practically immobile. I can go from extreme tiredness where i am unable to stay awake to sleeping for days! My quality of sleep is very poor! Lately I have aches & pains all over including the soles of my feet, at the heels(strange) and very frequent muscle spasms which has left me unable to lie or do much with the right side of my body. I also have a frozen shoulder!! I suffer from depression and ibs. I take mst, diazepam,baclofen and ibrufen for pain but never feel pain free!! Sound like a right moan but at my wits end! Any advice much appreciated

Post Edited (Jackie5) : 2/10/2014 7:13:57 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/11/2014 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Well.... first thing really, you need to have other things ruled out. There are a host of conditions that can mimic fibromyalgia. That's why I suggest seeing a Rhumey whom will perform blood tests take xrays and the like. Fibro is usually given as the diagnosis when other things are not present. There is no hard fast test to diagnose it as of yet. With fibro you typically have pain in the top of your body, lower body and right side and left side. Basically everywhere.

It does wax and wane. Meaning there are times when you have good days and times when you have bad days. When it's bad us fibro folks call it a flare. If you have fibro you will have pain EVERYDAY. That's not meant to scare you though because there are lots of days its just background noise once you get it under control. I take tramadol and exercise for mine. Things that make it worse are Stress ,weather (typically cold) as well as hot humid. Not moving and laying around makes it worse. Doing to much on days you feel really good can make it act up. There are many things to try to get the pain under control.

There are amazing people on this board who have fibro and a host of other medical issues whom cope very well with all they deal with. I'm sure you will hear from them as well. Once you get control of the pain and work with a physician to find out what works for you, you can still have a great life despite this illness.

Positive attitude is a huge part of this. So please get someone like a rhumey to rule everything else out then start ways of finding what helps you. We are all different with this and all different with what works for us individually. Some take pain pills or drugs approved for fibro and others use over the counter meds and supplements. So don't let the word Fibro scare you and also please don't Google about it and create unnecessary Anxiety. Anxiety and fear make pain worse and you don't want that. Sorry you found us under these circumstances but youre in a great place for info and friendship. And yes chronic fatigue syndrome seems to be a close friend of the fibro. I don't have a problem with fatigue (knock on wood) but many on here do. Again we are all so different. Hang in there and keep us posted!
Posted 2/11/2014 7:40 AM (GMT 0)
Jackie 5 welcome! I am surprised they are sending you directly over to pain management before being officially diagnosed correctly. As one other said, you want to rule out other diagnoses first. Many of us have seen a rheumatologist to get diagnosed. Others have been diagnosed by different dr's such at internal med or neurologist.

Pain management is a good thing for chronic pain. Many of the clinics work different I found out. Some are very cautious in writing narcotics and others will allow you to have your own pharmacy. Most of the pain managements are updated on fibro meds. There are many meds they can offer you. Getting your pain controlled really makes a huge difference. Pain is a bad trigger for my depression. You might be suprised how much you enjoy life once you get your pain controlled.

Pain management will make you sign a pain contract and do frequent UA 's. Some of the clinics make you go to classes too as a new patient. Sometimes it does take several visits to find that right combination of meds. So try not to get discourage. Hope it all works well for you.
Posted 2/11/2014 3:22 PM (GMT 0)
if it makes you feel better I have only been diagnosed by doctor and not rheumatologist (am on the list to see one) its NHS here in UK...

Pain management usually comes next in my view...but i believe there is a good support network with them for all round care - I havent had this either

whereabouts are you?

In UK its not uncommon to be diagnosed by a doctor (GP) I find the testing is not as rigourous here and you really have to fight for it
Posted 2/11/2014 8:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jackie -

Welcome! As Michael said, taking a look at our 1st thread, "Fibro 101," might answer some of your questions...at least, it could be a start.

I was diagnosed by an internist/allergist, about 21 years ago. I did go to a rheumy, once, and she just confirmed the diagnosis and treatment. I've never been to a pain clinic.

Hope to see you around more - we're here to help!

Debbie
Posted 2/11/2014 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!! Much appreciated
Posted 2/11/2014 11:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jackie,

Welcome to the forum!!! I am glad you joined us.

I haven't been to a rheumy either. I see a DO. Before that I saw an MD and before that it was internal medicine doctor. There was a nurse practioner in there some where too. But now it is just the DO and he is my family doctor. I also see a psychiatrist for depression and fibromyalgia. He has helped me a lot with the fibromyalgia. My psychologist is his nurse. So it is convenient.

I hope that you feel better soon. And as Debbie said, check out "fibro 101"...

Hugs, Karen...
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