Anyone here diagnosed by their family doctor?

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Uhura

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Joined
Mar 20, 2021
Messages
61
Reason
DX FIBRO
Diagnosis
01/2007
Country
US
It was several years ago that I was diagnosed by my family doctor. I should say previous doctor because I left him for other reasons. But then went to an Internal Medicine doctor who agreed I have it and when she moved I went to another Internal Medicine doctor who agreed. I also have a neurologist because I have epilepsy and he agrees.
Yet as I read your experiences here, it seem severyone has seen a rhumatologist.
 
Hi Uhura,

I was diagnosed by my family doctor!

Even though rheumatologists are often more aware of fibromylagia and what to look for than other medical practitioners, fibro isn't a rheumatic disease so not technically truly within their field of expertise. Rheumatologists classically treat diseases that affect the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons, and while we feel all of those like crazy in fibro thanks to wonky signalling, the problem really lies elsewhere. That said, rheumatologists who have taken a particular interest in fibromyalgia can be really valuable to sufferers - but the extent of this can vary.

When it comes down to it, the key is getting in front of a doctor who is familiar enough with fibromyalgia to make a solid (as it can be) diagnosis, and fully willing and able to work through eliminating every other possibility. If you trust the understanding and diligence of your doctors so far, then I'd say that's good enough. That said, speaking to a new specialist in any field can sometimes highlight tests or treatment options that we hadn't encountered before - so there's always that to think about too.
 
So-so here. My GPs & I were agreed that it might be something like fibro coming up. My wife thought it looked like rheumatism. The 1st rheum. gleefully looked for ankylosing spondylitis, was disappointed it wasn't and said "You don't look like fibro [yeah, I bet you can guess exactly what clichés he meant...] and anyway rheums don't really have anything to do with fibro, it's just cos it looks similar that we are stuck with the darn thing". 2nd rheum. 4 months later (after neuro and endocrine checks) then diagnosed it, but pretty much left me alone with it. Everything else I did With a Little Help From My Friends and then forum ideas. No help from the 4 rheums I talked to in the rheum./fibro clinic I asked to be referred to. However my GP wdntve been confident diagnosing it, so it was handy that the 2nd rheum did the dirty work...
 
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I was diagnosed by my family doctor. She has left the practice but luckily her replacement believes in Fibro and is up to date on knowledge about it...
 
Jay is spot-on on the typical role of rheumatologists. Fibromyalgia should be managed by an internist, pediatrician or family practice doctor as it encompasses every location and organ system symptoms. Unfortunately few feel comfortable diagnosing it let alone managing it. This is because they never had training on it and haven't sought it out. Most of my patients with fibromyalgia have seen many different doctors and have gone through extensive testing and yet still are never diagnosed until I see them. Or if they are diagnosed are given little hope for getting better. I have just started a podcast, "Conquering Your Fibromyalgia," and would love input on topic ideas for future shows. I have an upcoming podcast called "The Cost of Delayed Diagnosis,' which discussed the emotional, financial, and physical costs of delayed diagnosis.
 
"The Cost of Delayed Diagnosis,' which discussed the emotional, financial, and physical costs of delayed diagnosis.
In Andrew Gross's FM youtube video at 29'32''-31'50'' he talks about the dx saving financial cost for society (& perhaps the individual), incl. praps unnecessary / unhelpful procedures.
I definitely agree that the fibro diagnosis helped me from the start to know roughly where my starting point is.

My tons of good docs after the FM-dx each told me a tiny bit about my old or new symptoms (usually that they don't know what mechanism is causing it). In hindsight the ideas of the docs only helped 5%, most were my own ideas. (Most important were asymptomatic high blood fats...)

Analyzing each single symptom is one of the 3 big things which help me most. (Expert acupressure and amino acids are the other 2.)
So I'd go a big step further and highlight that my experience (like others here) is that it doesn't help much to "blame it on the fibro" and leave it at that, but to (educate & support to) learn "symptom analysis" (not just pain) or praps better or also "trigger hunting". (Sound slick & fitting?) I'd've hoped the mentoring schemes that some try would be the right way to do this, but the trials I've seen/tried there no way seem worth the money.
Kudo alert: This forum is the best (of all the forums I'm on and anything else I've tried) for "exploring" (good word?) and sharing ideas. I'm thinking of starting a "Symptom analyzing" thread here after an "Amino acids" thread? After.... *sigh*
 
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Super slick!
 
My internist is the one who feels I may have it. She is sending me to a neurologist next, for confirmation. This is because I've so many muscle spasms, that's my main cause of pain and that's how my flares exhibit themselves. Nasty.
 
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