Can Anyone Tell Me If I Have Fibromyalgia

judemay

For several years I have had symptoms of chronic tiredness at times and this has got more frequent as I have got older. Last year I was diagnosed with proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and I notice that stomach problems are a symptom. I now have chronic muscle pain all the time especially in my hips, lower back and legs and arms and in the mornings I am really stiff. I am so tired at times I can barely function. I have suffered from insomnia for some years too but this is not too bad at the moment. I also suffer from dry eyes and mouth and skin and headaches. The symptoms are worse at times than others and often follow a period of stress. My doctor says that there is nothing wrong with me but sometimes I feel so ill that I am sure I am dying. Do my symptoms seem familiar if you have fibromyalgia -is there a test if so? And what can I do to feel better? By the way my dad had fibromyalgia and so did his sister

helpline_team

judemay wrote:

For several years I have had symptoms of chronic tiredness at times and this has got more frequent as I have got older. Last year I was diagnosed with proctitis (inflammation of the rectum) and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach) and I notice that stomach problems are a symptom. I now have chronic muscle pain all the time especially in my hips, lower back and legs and arms and in the mornings I am really stiff. I am so tired at times I can barely function. I have suffered from insomnia for some years too but this is not too bad at the moment. I also suffer from dry eyes and mouth and skin and headaches. The symptoms are worse at times than others and often follow a period of stress. My doctor says that there is nothing wrong with me but sometimes I feel so ill that I am sure I am dying. Do my symptoms seem familiar if you have fibromyalgia -is there a test if so? And what can I do to feel better? By the way my dad had fibromyalgia and so did his sister

Dear Judemay,

Thanks for your post to Helplines. Because none of us is medically qualifed we can't give you a definite answer to this kind of question. But if someone wants a chronic pain problem diagnosed, it's normally something to take to a rheumatologist.

As you've also mentioned dry eyes / mouth that could be checked by a rheumatologist too. And if there are particular joints that are playing up (where you've mentioned stiffness) it's worth listing those.

If you've not had a rheumatology or orthopaedic referral before it may be easiest to ask whether you can be referred to a musculoskeletal clinic for a general assessment first.

As you've used quite strong language in describing your situation and your feelings I wonder whether you've taken someone with you when you see your GP and can tell the GP this is how you are feeling - sometimes it can help you to get heard fully.

You'd be most welcome to ring us for a chat if you'd like to.

Kind regards

Guy

dreamdaisy

Hello, I'm a forum member who had a routine rheumatology appointment today (I have psoriatic and osteoarthritis and have had for some years). I came home clutching a booklet about fibro, plus a host of blood forms, a referral to two other clinics and some soggy tissues.

My rheumatologist explained that fibro can occur in people who do not have any other long-term chronic condition, and that it cannot be diagnosed in any way apart from prodding the various sensitive areas (she prodded mine and don't I know it :roll: ) I think your GP needs to wake up and listen to you - arm yourself with some information to put under his nose and take a friend for moral support. I wish you well and I hope you can get some answers soon. DD

lululu

Google it and you will find a body map with all the tender points I don't really remember but I think there are eighteen of them.