Pains & Fibromyalgia

[MrsSthe3rd]

After recent blood tests, ruling out various things, my GP has come to the conclusion that I most likely have this.

Is it usually diagnosed by a GP?

I'd like to know if there's anything else it could be, that the blood test wouldn't pick up.

I have fibro. My GP suspected it and referred me to a rheumatologist to confirm it. There are tender points on the body which the dr checks. I think it is 11 out of 16 tender points for a diagnosis.

That's what I thought should happen. However, he didn't refer me on to anybody. He just told me to exercise gradually during the day and a few other bits.

Should I call the GPs and ask them to refer me on then, or would you take the wait and see approach?

I've had pain in various areas for a few years now and it's on my medical file as 'arthralgia' but I'm guessing it could all be connected and most likely be Fibro.

The referral was years ago 10? maybe. My GP has tried to refer me back to Rheumatology and was told that they don't see Fibromyalgia continuing care patients, although some still see new referrals. All depends on your area ( I am in Wales). Has your GP checked your tender points? Have they prescribed anything such as Duloxitine , Lyrica, Gabapentin, Amitryptilline? I am under the Pain Clinic for spinal issues and they adjust my fibro meds. I have tried it all, now on opiods.

Thanks for clarifying, claire.

I would need the initial referral, as it was a GP who said what he believed it to be. (unless he forgot to tell me that he would refer me on, then I honestly left with no answers).

I have only been put on co-codamol for the pain (15/500). And I already take amitriptyline for sleep issues.

He didn't check any tender points either.

I would go back and ask for the referral. People will ask who diagnosed you in the future and you can see relief when you say rheumatology. I had years of tests by rheumatology to check if there was something else in addition to the fibromyalgia BTW so it was worth it.

I would second the advice to ask for a referral to Rheumatology to get an 'official' diagnosis from a consultant. The GP I usually see at the practice I'm registered at is fantastic with me and it was only by being referred to another hospital for my osteoporosis (the hospital I'd originally been under was a bit rubbish) that I got my fibro diagnosis. Months later my usual GP was away so I had to see one that doesn't like me much and hardly ever takes me seriously. I was telling him about whatever it was I'd gone in for (anxiety and breathing stuff, I think - memory's a bit hazy with 'fibro fog'!) and you should've seen his face when I told him I'd been recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a specialist. He completely changed his attitude towards me and started listening very carefully to what I was telling him, then sent me for blood tests. So, that's just to say that I agree completely with LivingInMidnight - a proper diagnosis works wonders, and you may well need it to one day, the way things are going with the health service and the economy! Best wishes

Thanks so much for the additional replies. That's really useful advice and I will actually be nipping back to the Drs this morning and making sure I get the referral.

I ended up having to go back yesterday, for another health issue I currently have, but I completely forgot to ask about it then!