Just trying to get some answers.
I am hypo thyroid, result of being treated for Hyper thyroid (Graves.) I have many of the symptoms of FM, but not as severe pain as many people. I do have low BP on standing, dizziness, Jaw Pain, sensitivity to cold (holding cold bottles or jars causes nerve type pain.) I have lots of tendon pain, headaches, IBS problems, sleepiness (even on waking up). I sleep well all night, but I could go back to sleep as soon as I wake up.
My chiropractor says to go see my doctor, so I am wondering if Internal medicine doctors can check for Tender points?
Should I even consider FM as a possibitlity? Thanks for any info.

Hi, Tasha!

Absolutely, fibro could be a possibility. Of course, so could a whole array of autoimmune illnesses, and so could your hypothyroidism. But an internist can check the tender points and so other analyses; if he can't, might be time for a new doc! :)

One thing you might do when you see him is take with you a diagram of where the tender points exist. If you go to the National Fibromyalgia Association Web site (fmaware [***] org), click on "About Fibromyalgia," and then click on "What are the symptoms?" it'll take you to a page that you can print out. It has a whole list of symptoms, and if you scroll down the page, you'll see a really great diagram of the tender points. Print it, take it with you, and then your doc knows exactlhy where to check.

Good luck!

Ajijaak

Ajijaak: I just found out my Internal med. doc is on vacation, but I really need to get in soon to find out why I am dizzy. They are setting me up with a Family practitioner. I hope I am not wasting my time.
thanks for the link.

No problem! Hope the on-call doc can help.

Good luck, and let us know what comes out of your visit with him/her.

Ajijaak

And I'll just add that a rheumatologist (a good one) isn't a bad idea either.

Ed

Ed: I would really like a referral to a rheumatologist. I just feel funny because my symptoms are not severe pain, yet I do have pain and definitely muscle stiffness. I walk like my friend when I get off the couch, and she has juvenile arthritis and a hip replacement!

Hi Tasha--

I have to go out of state to see my rheumatologist, but I found him by doing the following and maybe it would help you out, too:

I called the very best hospital in my general area, one with a really good reputation and asked for their Rhematology Department. Once I got through I asked them if I could see one of their doctors in the department. They said I could.

So--that's one way of finding one instead of going through the yellow pages, etc.

Ed