hillbillyhere
08-26-2007, 09:45 PM
Hello I am finally getting refered to a rhumatologist.....;) After going through almost a year of drs not knowing what is going on with me. Should I ask the rhumatologist to test me for Fibro? I have all the symtoms and then some.....I have TMJ, IBS, depression, anxiety and my body feels like I have been ran over and over and over. I don't have any engery no matter how much sleep I get. I am also going to my GP for high cholesterol and I have a lump on the left side of my neck might have to get a biopsy. Just need some support and someone who understands my frustration.
Sponsor
GodsGirl4ever06
08-26-2007, 10:14 PM
Well, there is nothing wrong with letting the rheumy know your suspicions. Maybe let him/her come to a possible conclusion first and then bring it up.
I know the frustrations you speak of. I started having symptoms in 7th grade and did not get dx'ed until the summer after my 10th grade year. For someone so young, I think that was a short amount of time, but it felt like eternity for me. So many tests, medicines, explanations that never seem to quite fit, dr.'s, pains, frustrations, aggravations . . . I briefly wondered, off and on, if I was just crazy or making this all up. Even now, I have my ever so brief instances.
Just hang in there. Go to your rheumy, see what he/she thinks and go from there. It may not even be FMS. (which may or may not be a good thing.) Just keep hanging on. Some people wait many many years for the correct dx, and from what I've heard, being dx'ed within a year after starting the search is not commonplace. But don't let that discourage you. Stay strong, keep talking to us all around here, and do not give up! In the end, you will be stronger for it.
I know the frustrations you speak of. I started having symptoms in 7th grade and did not get dx'ed until the summer after my 10th grade year. For someone so young, I think that was a short amount of time, but it felt like eternity for me. So many tests, medicines, explanations that never seem to quite fit, dr.'s, pains, frustrations, aggravations . . . I briefly wondered, off and on, if I was just crazy or making this all up. Even now, I have my ever so brief instances.
Just hang in there. Go to your rheumy, see what he/she thinks and go from there. It may not even be FMS. (which may or may not be a good thing.) Just keep hanging on. Some people wait many many years for the correct dx, and from what I've heard, being dx'ed within a year after starting the search is not commonplace. But don't let that discourage you. Stay strong, keep talking to us all around here, and do not give up! In the end, you will be stronger for it.
jenilee70
08-26-2007, 10:20 PM
Hello I am finally getting refered to a rhumatologist.....;) After going through almost a year of drs not knowing what is going on with me. Should I ask the rhumatologist to test me for Fibro?
I don't think you can be "tested" for fibro, per se, other than of course checking if you have the fibromyalgia tender points. The criteria for fibro says that you have to have 11 out of 18 tender points, as well as widespread pain in all four quadrants of your body, but there is no blood test or x-ray to confirm fibromyalgia.
What the rheumatologist should do (at least mine did) is to test your blood to rule out things like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, anemia, hypothyroidism and other conditions which can have some of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia. Also, you might be x-rayed to look for joint disease, osteoarthritis or bone disease, depending on your symptoms.
Don't forget that you could have more than one condition, since fibromyalgia can be concurrent with RA, lupus and other diseases. Even if you cannot be diagnosed at this time, doesn't mean that you are imagining things or that there is nothing wrong with you.
These conditions can be hard to diagnose, but hopefully, the rheumatologist can find out what is wrong with you and give you the proper medication/treatment to improve your condition. :)
I wish you the best of luck! I too am seeing a rheumatologist, tomorrow actually, and although it is not my first time, it IS my first time with this rheumatologist. I recently moved and I hope this guy can offer me some insight, since I still don't have a proper diagnosis for my condition although I am currently taking medication for it.
I don't think you can be "tested" for fibro, per se, other than of course checking if you have the fibromyalgia tender points. The criteria for fibro says that you have to have 11 out of 18 tender points, as well as widespread pain in all four quadrants of your body, but there is no blood test or x-ray to confirm fibromyalgia.
What the rheumatologist should do (at least mine did) is to test your blood to rule out things like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, anemia, hypothyroidism and other conditions which can have some of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia. Also, you might be x-rayed to look for joint disease, osteoarthritis or bone disease, depending on your symptoms.
Don't forget that you could have more than one condition, since fibromyalgia can be concurrent with RA, lupus and other diseases. Even if you cannot be diagnosed at this time, doesn't mean that you are imagining things or that there is nothing wrong with you.
These conditions can be hard to diagnose, but hopefully, the rheumatologist can find out what is wrong with you and give you the proper medication/treatment to improve your condition. :)
I wish you the best of luck! I too am seeing a rheumatologist, tomorrow actually, and although it is not my first time, it IS my first time with this rheumatologist. I recently moved and I hope this guy can offer me some insight, since I still don't have a proper diagnosis for my condition although I am currently taking medication for it.
hillbillyhere
09-06-2007, 10:32 PM
Hey everyone.....Went to my rhumy and was diagnois with Fibro and Ost artheritis and also I have this weird lump on the side of my neck for about two or three weeks and she wants me to get that checked out.......it is a never ending story here with drs
bluelakelady
09-07-2007, 11:04 AM
welcome hilly,
take a deep breath. you are not alone in this. doctors are an aspect of your adaptation to this new you. in time you will find your balance with this as we all do. fear will leave and peace will come.
welcome little sister to our ever growing fibro family.
peace,
bluelakelady
take a deep breath. you are not alone in this. doctors are an aspect of your adaptation to this new you. in time you will find your balance with this as we all do. fear will leave and peace will come.
welcome little sister to our ever growing fibro family.
peace,
bluelakelady
jenilee70
09-07-2007, 09:28 PM
Hey everyone.....Went to my rhumy and was diagnois with Fibro and Ost artheritis and also I have this weird lump on the side of my neck for about two or three weeks and she wants me to get that checked out.......it is a never ending story here with drs
Hello again,
Well, I don't know if congratulations are in order, exactly, but at least you have a diagnosis and can be treated properly.
Hope that the lump is nothing serious. Best of luck! :)
Hello again,
Well, I don't know if congratulations are in order, exactly, but at least you have a diagnosis and can be treated properly.
Hope that the lump is nothing serious. Best of luck! :)
BeHappy2
09-07-2007, 10:25 PM
Welcome Hillbillyhere, Support is always here for you. Many good people here to share your ups and downs. I agree, it seems its never ending with doctors. I'm finding alot on my own from everyone here with fibro. With Fibro you need to find what best works for you, i'm sure alot will agree with this. I'm still learning much, i need to not get so down on myself when days are so bad. Frustration is a big one for me, i just have to work my way thru this.
I can relax being here, sharing ideas and a laugh or chuckle can make your day a bit brighter. Welcome
BeHappy2
I can relax being here, sharing ideas and a laugh or chuckle can make your day a bit brighter. Welcome
BeHappy2
Kimmy64
09-08-2007, 01:25 PM
Hey I am so glad you got a diagnosis. I have had Fibro and arthritis for 15 years. Although these are painful and frustrating illnesses, at least with a diagnosis you can get some treatment and you don't have to be made to feel it is all in your head. You will run in to people who don't understand including family members. Just keep the faith and know that there are others, like myself, out there who know how you feel and will support you. Prayers to you. KIM