I finally got to see the rheumatologist today.I was very worried that my problems would yet again be dismissed as depression as this is the way I have been treated for years by my GP....I had no need to worry.The rheumatologist was wonderful and kind and understanding.She confirmed the fibromyalgia diagnosis and told me it is not all in my head.She checked my bloods again as a routine and has referred me to a physio who specialises in the treatment of fibro and runs a local group.Finally it is official! After all these years of suffering and thinking I am going mad I can say to my family,''This is the problem,this is how it affects me,I am not imagining it,I am not a malingerer and I am not playing for sympathy.''
WELL SHE IS RIGHT IT IS REAL
IV HAD IT FOR 10YRS
BUT OTHER THOUGHTS SAY THAT THE CAUSE OF fibro comes from the prehistoric part of the brain . and untill you retrain it the cause will not go away and you will keep producing symptoms . theres things you can do to help but if you let the cause go untreated the condition will remain .
i am doing a retraining course and iv seen results in just a few weeks . so who knows whos right or whos wrong .
but i know the relief of finaly knowing that you are ill and not mad.
but if you think other people will understand any better your be dissapointed .not even my family understand .
new research has found that treating depression as an illness in many cases doesnt work ,doctors have now found in lots of cases that depression is a result of illness in the body which is causing, inflamation
.so treated a group of people who was not getting better on anti derpressants alone with anti inflamotrys as well and a large group of people got better .
hence what i said to my GP when i first went feeling awful and he wanted to put me on pills , i am not depressed with my life. i am depressed because i am in constant pain . looks like in veiw o f this new research i was right again.
God bless you Lily its a terrible condition I wouldn't wish it in my worse enemy, ive had it for years and years never new what it was but I just got in with it but it got worse so finally 7 months ago I had it confirmed fribromialgia, I was a carer myself but I'm not able to work no more the pain thestiffness, the headake, fatigue, itratable legs ect ect list goes on I feel for you sweet heart I feel your pain, well I hope things get better for you now you have finally found out I feel better knowing but I don't feel better with the medication in going Hospitail next week in Liverpool to see what they can do for me xxx good luck 💖💖
Lily, as a fibro sufferer, the best tip I've ever had was to take a Magnesium suppliment. I take Boots Calcium and Magnesium with vitamin D. I take twice the recommended daily dose. I take 4 tablets and not 2. If you overdose on Magnesium your body tells you by having diarrhoea. I only get this if I go above the dose that I'm taking. Much reduced pain, much improved sleep. Google Fibromyalgia and Magnesium.
I notice you say magnesium helps you. How much do you take? I take magnesium and also vitamin B12 and 6 and was just this week adviced to also take vit Bcomplex on top of the other. I feel a bit of an improvement but not huge amounts.
Hi Lily,
Although it's not something any of us would wish upon even our worst enemies I'm glad it has been confirmed for you, it is horrible to sit undiagnosed.
Take advantage of any information, physio or support groups you are offered as they allow you to meet other people with similar conditions and find out tips that seem to go invisible otherwise.
If you have fibro fog (like me) remember to write down any questions you have whilst waiting for the physio/groups so you can ask when you get there.
xx
Not much fun is it when they dismiss you as being depressed or all in your head.. after 4 years of suffering various symptons I finally got diagnosed last year. Chin up chick you are not alone x
Thanks for your reply tiswas.I have never been able to take antidepressants.I get terrible side effects and they make me feel much much worse.I take pregabalin and naproxen at the moment which help to control the pain but don''t do much for the myriad of other symptoms.I hope you continue to improve on your current treatment I would love to hear how you get on.x
Hi Jackie! I think I've probably had it since I had my last child in my twentys,but like you said you just get on with it don't you?Coincidentally I used to be a staff nurse but had to take early retirement when I reached 50 due to ill health.Think there's a common thread here?I hope your stay in hospital yields good results.Take care.x
Hi Bluesman! Vitamin and mineral supplements are something that I am considering;it's certainly worth a shot.I have had bloods taken for vitamin D levels and am just waiting for the results.Anything that can improve sleep gets my vote! I will take your advice and google it.x
Hi Clurbur!I am looking forward to this physio group I have been referred to.I have spoken to people such as yourself online but never actually met up with anyone for a proper conversation and exchange of views.I do get fibro fog.In fact at times it is more debilitating than the pain.In March last year I was admitted to hospital because of a possible stroke.Needless to say all investigations turned up normal! Eventually I was diagnosed with a rare form of migraine but I think it may well have been an extreme version of fibro fog!Whatever it was I certainly hope it doesn't happen again! Thankyou for your advice.x
Hi Sandpiper! You're right it isn't much fun at all and I am sure that I haven't seen the end of it.It's awful having to fight for the recognition that you need when you feel that you haven't got any fight left in you.For the moment,however,I feel mentally re-energised;not sure how long it will last ha ha! I was so demoralised I had been dreading today but it turned out to be the complete opposite to what I was expecting.It is good to know I am not alone.x
if it works it will giive me my life back unlike pills which just keep blocking the symptoms ,glad your not taking antidepresants as well.
there are other self help courses out there the one i am doing was recomended thats why i choice that one.
the one mager thing you could do to help your self is a self hypnoses cd for relaxtion do it twice a day it will help calm the brain and ease the symptoms .worth a try relaxtion can only be good for everyone 
Soooo great to hear precious, it's just wonderful when you finaly get diagnosed...we have nearly all gone through the same probs with friends and family...so blessed to have a caring husband who has seen the suffering first hand long before my diagnoses 20 yrs ago...they really live with it too, they know what we are really like and know that it's not in our head ... Congrats Lily..sounds a bit off congratulating you...but we know what's it's all about...your mental state will be perfect...you will feel sooo much better having a name for all your suffering:-) Australia...
Hi Christine! I feel like I have finally got over a great big hurdle that I was begining to think I would never conquer! Thankyou for your congratulations they are gratefullt received.
You are right Tiswas! I am a great believer in the power of the mind.Thanks for your advice.x
I know exactly how you feel, it's like..it was almost like a celebration when I was diagnosed..it's .the beginning of your life..stay strong..:-) xxx
my brother told me of a medical experiment done in japan
were they told a group of volunteers that they had been incontact
with there eqalviant of pioson oak .3/4 s of the group devoloped itching and blisters none had been in contact with pioson oak
and iv seen tv programes on surgery under hypnoses in this country
where older people had hips and knees replaced while a wake and other than sensation of pulling and tugging there was no pain and the operations were a succes .. not sure i would be that brave ,but i wouldnt mind giving it a ..try esp for the dentist.
i think untill we fully understand the mind we will never get to the root cause of illness.
Hi Lily, Magnesium oil is good applied to painful areas. Apparently magnesium is best absorbed through the skin. I also have baths with Epsoms salts - another source of magnesium. These are tips I gained from this site! Your physio group sounds as if it will be good - I think I will have to investigate whether there is anything like that on offer around here (Kent). Whereabouts are you?
Hi Tigs! I'm in Greater Manchester.I really need to get some Epsoms salts and I will definitely try the magnesiun oil.I am off for a short trip into town with the hubby today so I think I will call in our local Holland and Barrets.One of the first thing I do every morning is soak in a warm bath to help loosen everything up so it would be good to try the Epsoms salts then.I am really looking forward to the group;I do hope you can find something similar near you.Thanks for your comments.x