Advice please!!!

deedeeitsme
deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
edited 28. Jan 2012, 03:51 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi All

I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by my gp by way of trigger points. My question is,from what I have read about fibro the joint areas get very painful and feel like they are swelling but no actual swelling. The problem I have is my knees are so painful and visibly swollen also my ankle and toes. My hips and lower back are painful all the time, this was originally why I visited my gp. I really think there is something else there aswell as the fibro. Can I insist that my gp refers me to a rheumatologist? This has been going on for 6 months now and is getting worse not better. x Dee x

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,336
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Dee

    in your position l would certainly be going back to the docs...maybe in the first instance he/she may be prepared to do some tests..bloods Xrays????

    Tis really hard getting diagnosed isn't it? :(

    There is no harm asking whether you could be referred.

    Love and luck

    Toni xxx
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi , I think you can ask to see the Rheumy tell the GP you feel you need to be diagnosed by a specialist, tell him your not happy. All gps cant know all things, some GPs know no things you should have mine.
    Take care
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • deedeeitsme
    deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you Toni for your reply.....I have had bloods done which all came back ok but no xrays. I really had to push to even get bloods done. My balance is off too which is really worrying me aswell. I am at docs today so will see what she has to say. Thank you again x Dee x
  • deedeeitsme
    deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for your reply Colin....I think I am going to have to be a bit pushy on this one. Its been 6 months to long now!! x Dee x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When were the bloods done - was it fairly recently or before the swelling appeared? I cannot remember when I had my first blood tests but I know when I didn't - when my left knee was about 21" in circumference (the swelling was all above the kneecap) and my GP was still telling me it would all go away and sort itself out! How wrong she was and how stupid I was to believe her.

    I think you should raise your concerns with your doctor, to ask for more bloods and Xrays in not an unreasonable request - though do make it clear that you are not questioning her judgement, that would not be a good move. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • deedeeitsme
    deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you for your reply DD....my swelling is above the knees but also under the knee caps. I am not questioning her diagnosis as such but I do know that fibro and arthur can run side by side so I just want her to investigate furthur as I have read that the longer you leave before getting a diagnosis of arthur the more damage can be done and that is whats worrying me. Thank you again DD X Dee x
  • deedeeitsme
    deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    RESULT!!! She has agreed to send me to a rheumatologist for furthur investigation. She agreed that the swelling in my knees and around my ankles is quite substantial. So pleased I am getting somewhere at last. x Dee x
  • flossy47
    flossy47 Member Posts: 171
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sounds like you had a good appointment today. I had a similar problem before I was diagnosed. One doc kept telling me that it was fibro then I saw a locus and she immediately referred me to the rheummys. Rheummys doc said i had both. Good luck when you get your appointment.
    Flossy
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    well i am a bit late in responding but.....i am so pleased that you now have a referral and hope the app comes soon.
    Hopefully they will investigate deeper and then beable to help you.

    juliepf x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,336
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done you Dee!!

    Do let us know how you get on wont you?

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Yay! I am very pleased for you: I was eventually referred to a rheumatologist by the physios at our local football team - I went to them in desperation about my knee, my reasoning being that if anyone knew about knees they would! Well done deedee, please let us know when the appointment comes through and we will be there to support you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • deedeeitsme
    deedeeitsme Member Posts: 321
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your support.....this site is billiant, there is always someone here willing to give support and good advice (((((((hugs))))))) to all of you x Dee x
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,336
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your support.....this site is billiant, there is always someone here willing to give support and good advice (((((((hugs))))))) to all of you x Dee x


    and back at you!! ((((())))) :D