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1st rheumie appt tomorrow...advice needed

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 7/1/2015 6:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I've been a lurker for awhile but finally decided to post:) I've got my 1st rheumatologist appt tomorrow and would love any advice on how to prepare. Also wanted to give a little history on me and see if you think I'm in the right spot:) I just turned 40 in Feb, my mom and sister both have lupus and RA. I've been battling achy joints for 3-4 years, symptoms come and go, wrists, hands, feet, legs, neck...typically in the past it was just achy, stuff, went 3 months hobbling around bc feet were so painful. Since Jan, I've had some crazy vertigo episodes, sent to ENT, put on beta blockers for high resting HR, noticed tingling and numbness in hands and feet, shooting pains in arms, wrists and hands. My ANA was a low positive but I also was positive for SLE-70. My RA and inflammation markers were normal. Does this sound like fibro? All my research seems to point to this. At my appt tomorrow, do drs like it when you come in with a list if symptoms. I really want him to take me seriously, I really need some pain relief, I hv 3 boys who keep me on my toes!!:) any advice is appreciated!! Thank you!
Posted 7/1/2015 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Mythree3sons, and welcome! Well, it sure sounds familiar to me. I get the achy joints that come and go. Your rheumatologist will take tests to rule out other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro...things like lupus and Lyme disease. If those tests come back normal, you usually are given the diagnosis of fibromyalgia.

Be sure to look at Fibro 101..the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there. Good starting links would be Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia. You just might see yourself there. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

Be sure to let us know how your appointment goes tomorrow. Since you now are part of our fibro family, we do care about you. For future appointments it would be good to keep a journal and write down the pain you have when doing various things. There are pain charts in Fibro 101 that can help you.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better. Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you. Hope to hear more from you soon.

Sherrine
Posted 7/1/2015 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

Welcome...i just see my pcp for fibro.. But his wife also has fibro , so he is at least sensitive to the issues...

I like to take a post it note, of things i do not want to forget to check with him about..because i can get distracted while i am there!!

Sure hope you have a good visit and like the dr. This is just me, but i pray on my way there, for the dr. To be guided to help..i do this when anyone i know is seeing the dr or having surgery..

I will say one for your dr! : )
Posted 7/1/2015 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your replies! I will let you know how tomorrow goes. I'm just hoping for some answers and relief:/. Feel like I've been run over by a bus today.
Posted 7/1/2015 10:47 PM (GMT 0)
I think it is a good idea to take a list of your symptoms and medications that you have been taking. It will also be good if you had a diary of all your symptoms for at least two months this will assist adapter in diagnosing was wrong with you.
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