I haven't been on here in awhile. I have had a corneal ulcer and my vision has been not so great, to say the least. It's slowly healing but all my aches and pains have increased.
I went to a rhuemotologist about a month ago. She completely dismissed me. Told me I was "stressed and depressed". She pushed on my arms and that was all. Finally she done some blood work since she noticed I had Raynaulds and an ulcer on my cornea. My Rhuemotoid Factor was up but my antinuclear antibody was normal.
She gave me Zoloft and sent me on my way.

I go to see yet another specialist at the end of the month. There are certain parts on my body that makes me scream when they are touched. I feel like I'm going nuts and it doesn't help to be dismissed like I'm some obssessive paranoid idiot by someone who calles themself a "specialist".

My GP agrees that something is definately wrong, so does everyone that knows me. I feel like throwing my hands up and giving up. I know I can't do that, I have a child to take care of and know that eventually they will find what-ever it may be.

How long did it take everyone to get diagnosed? Were there times when you thought you were crazy? Did any MD dismiss you? How do you MAKE them listen?

For my next appt I have made a list that I plan on giving them. It states where I'm numb, where I hurt, where I get stiff, stomach problems, headaches, weight and body tempture going haywire, etc.... What else can I do?

Thanks in advance

Hi Sugar!

You are having a difficult time! When I read your post, my heart ached. You keep searching and eventually the right doctor will come your way. It took me 15 years to finally get a diagnosis. I kept going from doctor to doctor with one of the many symptoms I had, never really connecting all the many symptoms to the one affliction known as fibromyalgia. If the doctor isn't in tune, it won't work. Do you have a teaching hospital in your area that has a pain clinic associated with it? Sometimes hospitals have support groups meeting at their campuses so you might want to call and ask about a fibromyalgia support group. Do some research and get smart on the subject. Don't depend on the doctor's opinions. I finally went to my rheumatologist who had diagnosed my condition as arthritis and told him he was wrong, that I had fibromyalgia. He started treating me for fibromyalgia after my declaration, but I lost confidence in him and went on to find a really great doctor elsewhere.

Did you know that many people with fibromyalgia have Raynauds?

Blessings,
Kirstee

Sugar hang in there, you are the one that will have to advocate for your own health care. Keep searching for a doc that will listen and take you seriously. I tried to change rhuematologists and I had the same problem, the new one gave me zoloft and sent me on my way. I threw the samples away and didn't fill the prescription. She insisted it was to help me sleep, I already use ambien and I like it, it works well.

Call the physician referral of your local hospitals and ask if they can recommend a doc that treats fibromyalgia. Or just get some names of docs and call their offices and ask the receptionist if they have or treat fibro patients. Sometimes you never know when you find that frog, he could be a prince (or princess). Good Luck.

Glojer

Thanks for the encouragement Kirstee and Glojer. I appreciate it.

BTW Kirstee, my real name is Kirstie :) I didn't know the connection w/ Raynaulds and Fibro until a week or so ago. I had done my billion something search on Fibro and it had that as one of the symptoms. Most of the symptoms I have seen didn't have that one listed.

I am so fed up w/ all of this pain. I have my mind made up, I will flat out refuse to leave the docs office w/out further testing and/or some sort of something.
Sometimes I sit awake at night and cry. I really feel like I'm dying. It hurts so muich, it scares me. I am so grouchy lately I can barely stand myself. I hate the way I feel and wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

dear sugar,
girlfriend, you will make it. we all need to curl up and cry sometimes. i was fortunate to be diagnosed early. i will tell you i went thru 16 doctors before i found laura and jack. i also spent 9 years in therapy to adjust my thinking to my new everchanging body. that helped more than any pill any doctor ever gave me. sure i take the pills too. but knowing how to not be afraid is my most powerful tool for pain relief. knowing it will end and a window will open, for however long, and i will feel mostly good again.
write notes so you don't get confused. i even drew on my body with ink to show a doc where it hurt. most of all be in control of your emotions and realize these doctors are just people too. and there are so many to choose from!! i visualize them sitting on the toilet early in the morning and all those "they have the power" emotions evaporate into thin air. it works and you get to giggle without them knowing why. altho i did tell one doctor. did not make him happy, giggle.
i will dance for you today. for your well being and for your child.
peace,
bluelakelady

Hang in there sugar, it takes time to find a good Dr. I was lucky, but others are not so lucky. It's funny, I felt like you for a long time, then was diagnosed. Did a lot of research, and accepted what I have. I think it helped me to deal with the pain. I still run to the Dr. with all sorts of NEW symptoms, but test results all come back normal, so we chalk it up to Fibro. I think for me, just knowing that the WEIRD symptoms (ringing ears, floaters, numbness, soreness, creepy crawlys, aches and pains...ect ect) are all part of fibro helps ease the anxiety, and lowers the pain level.

I now think that if I am NOT bleeding, burning up with fever, or doubled over with pain........ It's fibro!

Find a good Dr, get some rest, take a relaxing bath, and just be good to yourself.