I think I may have Fibromyalgia

Hi, SamBam,
and Welcome.
You will be glad to follow this forum, for advice and to know that you are not alone in your journey. We are all different, but share many commonalities. I'll be looking forward to getting to know you.
HEART

Sam
Hello and welcome. Anxiety disorder also causes achey muscles, fear of going crazy and fear of dying. I say this because before the fibro came on, I suffered for several years on and off with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Please take a complete list of symptoms when you see your doctor. For fibro you would have pain in all 4 quadrants of your body. Upper, lower, right and left side.

If you haven't done so please read fibro 101. The very first thread on the forum. Very good info there and you may just see yourself there with some of the symptoms. Definitely read the part that says, What else could it be.

If you Feel your Dr. Isn't giving you the answers you need then find a board certified rheumatologist. They see fibro every day and no what to look for.

I have a feeling that your also going to need to get your anxiety under control. Please talk to your Dr. about this OK? Worry makes anxiety so so very bad and leads to panic attacks. It's a vicious cycle trust me.

Do me a big favor. Please quit googling your symptoms. Dr . Google is a horrible Dr. And he will tell you things that simply aren't true and things that will scare you. You don't need this at this point. If you have concerns and questions please ask us not him. We are not Drs. But we are an incredible support system that will help lead you in the right direction.

Do take care and please stay in touch. We really do care.

Michael

Things I recommend for Doc visits:

1. Write down every little thing that is going on in an easy outline format for yourself.

2. List length of time you have been experiencing each symptom.

3. Describe what the symptoms are doing to your quality of life (I can no longer stand for long, I am unable to .... Fill in the blank).

4. Take a list of all your medications , vitamins and supplements with you. If it is a longer list, color code by what they are prescribed for. This is to make sure it is in front of you and readable and it helps limit the chance of getting to the pharmacy with an issue.

5. Dont bring up medication. Let the doc do it if they want. Instead, ask what can be done to help you or what they would recommend to alleviate a certain issue (I dont feel rested enough to drive, or go to work or my arm is so painful, I cant lift it). Unfortunately, they all assume we are just in it for the narcotics thanks to a few bad apples out there. Be prepared for a good doc wanting to get tests run and/or have you see a specialist of some sort. A bad doc generally wont bother. (I have a couple of these I am changing out)

6. Download a body outline from the internet for front and back ( or draw one yourself). Mark all the areas you have problems/pain with. I recommend color coding this as well. It is a memory aid for you as well as a good visual for the doc.

7. Above all, stick to your guns and dont let them tell you it is all in your head or you are not feeling/experiencing what you know you are. You are the person who lives in your body. You may not know what all the pieces mean - thst is their job. However, you know what you experiencing.

Sorry for the long list. It is something i put together for myself over time. I keep it all in a folder on the computer, update when I remember and print copies whe nI am going to the doc. Please remember that we are here to talk to and let us know how everything went.

Yes jenni, i used that diagram especially when getting physical therapy...it helps show therapist a pain pattern .

Lj