Hi Everyone.....

[lcg]

on tuesday i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. after all the other diagnoses, problems, pills, and pain......i really do not know how to take this diagnosis. i've obviously done a bit of reading and looking at the internet, but i was wondering if anyone else out there has this diagnosis to talk to. i have been referred to yet another ruddy psychiatrist and am cheesed off to say the least. apparently, the rheumatology dr knew my diagnosis but didn't tell me (over 6 months ago) and left it to my pain specialist to divulge. i was a tad upset, to say the least.......x

[sherrardk]

Can't help, but just wanted to say sorry about our crappy news and hope you get some help soon, x

[lcg]

thanks sherrard. when the pain dr started on about being on the wrong meds, i hit the roof! she prescribed them, after all. i am just fed up with all the crap i have had to get to this 'i don't know what is wrong with you diagnosis'. grrrrr......x

[gness]

Just read this Icg.....can't offer any advice I'm afraid but a friend has the same condition so I know how you are feeling...hope you get some decent help soon....x

[Connemmara]

I have had it for 10 years - and you have been very lucky in getting a diagnosis - most doctors dont recognise it - appreciate your doctor in trying to get your help. Fibro runs through the body but mine is excruciating under my boobs ie rib cage result I can no longer wear a bra - but wear when I go out like a very soft sports thing to hold the boobs together. When friends ask me to go out on a social event - that is the first thing of I think of and dread - wearing this bra thing - it is so sore.

[Spoonboy]

I am sorry to hear that, but I cannot think of other avenues you can try. While we are here, my doc prescribed amitriptyline recently, I thought to help with a new diagnosed problem of a suspected trapped femoral nerve, and, of course, it soon became useless in dealing with the debilitation; while reading about fybromyalgia, I discover that the medicine is an antidepressant...

...I would hope it is also an anti-inflammatory!!!

[Kathyan]

I've got fibromyalgia and take Amitriptyline 35g. It works for me. I couldn't sleep for the pain, but since taking the tablets I do get a good nights sleep.

[Sqad]

Spoonboy

\\\\\ I discover that the medicine is an antidepressant...

...I would hope it is also an anti-inflammatory!!! \\\\

Indeed it has.....

[Connemmara]

amitriptline never worked for me - in fact left me with a very dry mouth - i could hardly talk the following morning - "that makes a change" - too afraid to use it again -but icg give it a go - dont get me wrong dont know why you are going to a psychiatriist? Still zonked out from no sleep so forgive spelling.

[lcg]

i have psychotic depression and am medicated for that and see a shrink anyway. they are now changing my medication to more appropriate stuff for the fybromyalgia - and i am terrified i will have a relapse once they start fiddling around with things. the pain specialist said that she thought a shrink in their team would be able to assess me for other interventions. lord knows what they are up to - the appointment is a bit of a blur as i got so mad when the pain dr dropped in the 'by the way you have fybromyalgia' part!! i just anticipate that things are going to get very messy......x

[Connemmara]

sorry to hear about your depression - why dont you leave well alone for a bit of time and just keep on with your regular medicine and see how you get on - I have done that and sometimes has kept certain illnesses at bay. amytrip could affect other meds. I am not Sqad tho

[lcg]

don't feel sorry about my depression, conn.....i don't! it's part of me and i can't help that. apparently, the meds i am currently on are not effective for fibromyalgia and there are others i should be taking. if i don't, then the pain specialist will not prescribe me the appropriate painkillers for my new diagnosis. so....out with the old, and in with the new. i'm trying to look at this in a positive light, but it is very difficult at present.

[DTCwordfan]

I would consider raising an official complaint against the rheumatologist over this. That's plain dishonesty and his/her advice could have led to some mitigation of the pain involved.

Good luck with how they tackled it, looking at the responses from others, it does appear the medics can go a long way in helping you.

[DTCwordfan]

sorry "tackle not tackled"....

[shaneystar2]

It can take quite a long time to diagnose fibromyalgia so I don't think it's advisable to "raise an official complaint " so soon .It's not a thing that can be diagnosed by a simple blood test .
It has a point test usually .
There is usually pain at certain points on the body .
They call it the eleven point test .There are lots of other symptoms too .
It's a difficult thing to diagnose .Hope you can get some help Icg .
Have you looked at the forum ?
http://www.ukfibromyalgia.com/forums/

[Eve]

I've got it, diagnosed by rhumo as secondary the rheumatoid arthritis.

I know what you mean about the bra thing, I've had to change to non-wired ones and even they are hard to bear sometimes but can't go without as my boobs are too big.

I've never been keen on amitriptyline and ended up on pregabalin and it has helped a lot! The effects did start to wear off but I was then told to double then triple it (to 6 a day) to help with shooting pains in my limbs as side effects to RA meds. I doubled it and started having weird suicidal thoughts so went back down to 1.5 for a bit then up to 2 and fine on that now though I worry it's just going to wear off again so I have to up it...

It does make a big difference though, helped a bit with sleep and just the general OTT pain reaction, even someone sitting next to me touching me on the bus etc...

The best thing I've had to help me sleep (and keep sane) has been mirtazapine, was switched from citalopram.

I'd be upset if they sat on a diagnosis for 6 months when I could have been helped with the pain, become more informed etc... I had it with my bile acid malabsorption one, they missed the test result diagnosing it and it's only by chance it came up in an appointment months later (and that was slotted in as they'd lost me on the system).