could it be fibromyalgia?

[sentfrmmyiphone]

i've suffered chronic migraines since i was a child, it would appear that i also have osteoarthritis in pretty much every joint, i have a couple of herniated disc's in my back.. i've been checked for MS whcih i'm told its not... Occ Health at work want me to go to my GP and discuss fibromyalgia?

I'm currently having what me and my DH call 'one of my flare ups', so i have a burning sensation down my left calf and foot, a lingering headache, my tinnitus is playing up, the sight in my right eye has reduced and i have pain and numbness down the right side of my face.

before anyone says 'stroke'... its not, been investigated for that in the past, have been investigated for heart attack in the past..

is it worth bothering the GP?

Also I am surprised to hear the NHS won't refer you for the reasons you state. You can self refer in most counties anyway. Just a thought, as your MH sounds as though its very poor. I presume you see the link between your mental and physical health? I highly recommend the book The Body Keeps The Score.

Oh I've had referral after referral... but after the initial assessment that's when they discharge me! If I was sat on a bridge making threats then I would no doubt get all the help I need... but sadly that's the state of the NHS MH service today!

I have childhood trauma issues and found the NHS talking therapies very helpful as a first foray into counselling. I wasn't suicidal either. Perhaps it varies by county. I'm training as a counsellor and can't think of a situation where someone with MH issues like yours would be turned away. Being on antidepressants wouldn't make any difference of course. Many people referred to talking therapies are taking antidepressants.

Perhaps you are playing down your issues at the referral stage?

i promise this is not the case... im very open and honest about everything that happened to me as a child, as a young adult, as a wife, a partner and a sister.. but apparently there is simply too much there to deal with... i have asked and asked and asked, both while suicidal, while on anti-depressants and during periods of wellness

i've made peace with it now, i'm not getting any help and thats that. as i say, at the moment i am mentally well, i am very self aware and when i dip i know to get help. so to ask for talking theraphy for my ailments simply wont work because they will have to dig deeper, and they are simply not willing or able to do so!

but this is not about my MH, this is about if having a diagnosis of fibro will help, and it seems the answer is no.