Doctor's appointment - fibromyalgia/polymyalgia rheumatica?

Megrose489
Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
edited 2. Jan 2015, 11:04 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everybody. Went to the doctor's this morning, as the orthopaedic consultant had asked my GP to organise better pain control for me. I've noticed that, apart from the pain in my hips, knees, feet and hands, my muscles are rather tender. The tops of my arms are sore if I press them. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I've now got to have blood tests to rule out polymyalgia rheumatica and any thyroid problem and he's thinking it's possible I may have fibromyalgia. I already have IBS and the two can go together, apparently. Spoke to him about the libido on Amitriptyline and he has changed it to Nortriptyline and also upped the dosage, as this would be a frontline treatment for fibromyalgia. So, we'll see what happens. I'm to go back in a month. I'm just glad it's being looked into further as I've felt rather under the weather the past few months.
Does anybody else have either of these, as well as arthritis? I suppose I will still need further injections into my thumbs, though! :xmas_evil:

Meg

Comments

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, that was a good, quick result with the amitrip swap :xmas_lol:

    I don't have fibro, PMR or thyroid problems. I know there are some on here who do but it's so quiet right now they might not see this. let's hope they do :xmas_smile:
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • bridesmum
    bridesmum Member Posts: 181
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have fibromyalgia and have had it for about 10 years now.I was originally diagnosed with ME but when I went to see a specialist they said I also have fibromyalgia. I also have OA and the two together makes for a lot of pain and fatigue unfortunately. I believe that polymyalgia is treated in a totally different way than fibromyalgia usually with steroids though from what I've read it doesn't last for anywhere near as long as fibromyalgia. I hope that you can find something that will help your symptoms. Take care, Deb
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was diagnosed with fibro in October last year - it comes and goes or maybe there are times when I am more aware of it than others, to be honest I am not sure which applies! I know there are one or two on here with PMR and I hope the Nortryptiline helps matters. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Meg I am glad to see you have a good team around you, and things are getting done..it good when they do all the bloods together saves you going back...good luck with it all and please let us know how you get on..x
    Love
    Barbara
  • villier
    villier Member Posts: 4,426
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have not long been diagnosed with PMR through my Neurologist who has referred me to Rheumatology, the Neuro is sure I have PMR as I have all the classic signs, pain in muscles in hips lower back tops of legs shoulders and tops of arms and severe stiffness in the morning. I was put on to Prednisolone 15 mg for ten days, after a day I felt incredible before I couldn't turn in bed and have a bed rail to get me out of bed in the morning, after stopping the Pred for one day the pain was as bad as ever. My ESR when the pain was bad was 111 after being on the pred my ESR came down to 30. I am currently on 12mg and trying to reduce. I do not have Fibro(not that I know of) and I sincerely hope you have neither Meg, keep us posted how you get on ((((())))) xx
    Smile a while and while you smile
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  • Tia1723
    Tia1723 Bots Posts: 43
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Ohh that seems like you have sorted out many things in one appointment, Meg!!!

    No idea about medications, but ibs and fibromyalgia often go hand in hand, in fact 60% of the patient who has ibs also develops fibromyalgia. Both are functional disorders and stress can trigger the onset in both cases.

    Hope nortriptline helps you with libido. It might as well help you with depression associated with fibromyalgia, sleep quality, and reducing pain. I heard even aerobic exercises can help you reduce symptoms. I fear, you may need to incorporate a variety of treatments to get maximum pain relief. However, I am sure, you will get it through.

    Merry Christmas to one and all :cheesygrin: .
    Love,Tia.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was diagnosed with Fibro as well as Arthritis I think they seem to go hand & hand with other. Hope you have a Merry Christmas :candycane:
  • pot80
    pot80 Member Posts: 109
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I suffered a polymyalgic onset to rheumatoid arthritis and have never felt so awful. The GP got me to see the rheumatologist in 3 days (and two of those were the weekend). When asked to put my hands on my head I had to ask the rheumatologist to do it for me as I just could not manage it. My CRP level was way over 100. Now almost exactly 4 years later after the polymyalgic onset was dealt with I am just a run of the mill RA sufferer in that I do not have, fortunately,any additional complications. I wish you all the best.
  • Megrose489
    Megrose489 Member Posts: 776
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your kind replies. I couldn't get an appointment to have a blood test until 5th January and will see the doctor again on 23rd January. So, until then I'm continuing with the physiotherapy for the bursitis (I see the physiotherapist again on 8th January) and am taking the Nortriptyline and paracetamol as prescribed. I'm interested to see what my CRP levels are, as I've had the trochanteric bursitis for about a year now.

    Anyway, I'm going to have a lovely Christmas with my son (visiting from Edinburgh) and my husband (whose birthday it is tomorrow) and put it all on the back burner till the New Year.

    A very merry Christmas to you all and all the best for 2015. :presents:

    Meg x
  • pringle
    pringle Member Posts: 17
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I have O/A in my hands fingers and wrist my feet and neck I also have fibromyalgia and what you have said about the top of your arms being sore is very fitting, at times I can't touch them when getting dressed my skin is so sensitive all over ,I had the blood test for polymyalgia that came back negative and that polymyalgia can burn it self out, this winter I have had quite a few flare up's with the fibro and at the moment in a big flare where I my skin feels like sunburn not nice

    Hope you get it all sorted soon