I'm wondering if I have it. I've had aches in my hands and feet for a short while, headaches and fatigue. I thought some people here mentioned having fibro. I don't know whether to wait to see if the symptoms go away or what.
What kind of doctor do you see to get tested? Is it hard to get diagnosed? I'm scared to go (don't ask me why)
My mom was recently diagnosed with it. She had been going to several different doctors in her area for a couple of months and no one could figure out what the problem was. She finally saw a physician who correctly diagnosed it, only because he also suffers from it. She now sees a specialist but has to drive a couple of hours just to see him.
I guess my point, amidst my babbling, is that even if you go to your regular doctor and he/she finds nothing wrong but you are still feeling symptoms, get a second opinion. It is a complicated disorder that can be triggered and affected by everything from the weather to psychological state of mind. And that just makes it harder to diagnose.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon. If you need any information, I'd be glad to send you some links.
Lilly~
Edited to add: My mom was also scared to go to the doctor. But the constant exhaustion and not knowing what was wrong ended up making her feel worse. She said it was like a huge weight was lifted after she finally found out what was wrong. So sometimes knowing is better than not knowing. :-) It also eased some of her symptoms because, in her case, the disorder is exacerbated by anxiety.
Last edited by LillyOnThePlain; 04-08-2003 at 05:04 AM.
Thank you both so much for responding. I really appreciate you taking the time!
I can't make it to the doctor this week, cause I'm on call for jury duty (thrilling!) If the symptoms keep up, I will go. Oddly, my main worry is about my husband handling it-he can be very pessimistic and extreme in his reaction to things, and I can't handle having to worry about his feelings too right now..sigh...last Friday I had a migraine (the first one I ever had) he drove me to the doctor, and was coming up with all these other things the migraine could be from-it drove me nuts!
Hi Suzie -
I have fibromyalgia and it was diagnosed by my rheumatologist. I recommend you go to a rheumatologist first because some generalists think it's all in your head and are not up on the latest research with fibro.
There are specific "touch point" places they touch to find out if you have it - it's pretty easy to diagnose in most cases if you go to the right doctor.
I also felt better once I was diagnosed - I read everything I could get my hands on and can give you tips about the kinds of things I do that work if you get a diagnosis.
There are quite a few unrelated disorders with the similar complaints, though, so it may not be fibromyalgia at all. A lot of these other disorders can be ruled out with blood tests and such (such as thyroid problems).
I thought you had mentioned that you have fibro. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I hope I can find a good doctor. It sounds odd, but I may ask my chiropractor (who I really trust) if he can recommend one.
I've been treated for an underactive thyroid for ten years. I'm currently just being treated by my regular doctor for it. I tried THREE different endocronolgists, and they all sucked. (pardon my language) One just read blood test results and handed me a packet with a diet (big help) The second one charged two hundred dollars, and spent three minutes with me after I waited an hour for my appointment. I told him as I left that I didn't appreciate him acting like he didn't care and that I wouldn't be coming back. The third one I went to for a few years, and had to leave. I repeatedly had to wait an hour and a half after a scheduled appointment time. The bills were always wrong. The topper was when she took blood from me at six pm, not telling me what it was for. I assumed it was thyroid bloodwork. I went back for a checkup a few months later and she said I needed to go on cholesterol medication. I asked her why, and she said my cholesterol was 210. I said "when did you do a cholesterol test?" She said, at your last appointment. I told her that was at night, and I didn't fast. She turned red and said "oh, we'll have to do another one." Turned out my cholesterol was only 160!
Needless to say, I"m pretty disgusted with doctors. I will try to find a rheumatologist.
If I am diagnosed and do have questions, I hope you don't mind if I send you a personal message.
anyone here with fibromyalgia?
