Have any of you been referred for investigations into your health problems ?

[vivifarr]

Hello to all, I have joined this forum with my daughter in mind. She has been terribly ill for around nine years though the illness has changed over that time. It is thought she has f.b.
During the last few years her doctors have largely treated her as though she has a mental illness. She has not had any referals at all. She is in constant and awful pain. Have any of you had referrals for scans, to neurology or other investigations ? It seems to me that she could well have a range of possible conditions that should be investigated and considered. She now has two very small children, two under 20 months. Her life is so hard and there seems to be no help. How do your doctors deal with your chronic problems ?

 

[Forgetmenot]

Welcome. Yes she must ask for a referral . She is in her rights to do so.
She needs to bring up fm to her Dr to. Some Dr are useless with fibro. But she should ask.she needs to see a rheumatologist.my own gp told me what I had ,but as hers seems to be a bit slow she needs to ask to see one,

 

[diamond]

hi yes encourage your daughter to go to a gp in the practice that believes in fibro and insist on full blood work and a referral to a good rhematologist as a starting point.

If her current gp's don't want to help,ask at her local pharmacy for recommendation of a good gp on her area who will be more supportive.

Go in with a list of her symptoms and how severely they affect her. Suggest she keep a diary of pain and other problems to take with her to all her appointments.

Go with her to offer support and to help explain and be insistant. If she wants scans to rule things out ask directly.

Another route is a neurologist.

If you can afford it a private consultation is much quicker and you can choose who you want to see and read about their area of special expertise on the private hospital websites.

I hope that helps a bit.....good luck.

 

[vivifarr]

Welcome. Yes she must ask for a referral . She is in her rights to do so.
She needs to bring up fm to her Dr to. Some Dr are useless with fibro. But she should ask.she needs to see a rheumatologist.my own gp told me what I had ,but as hers seems to be a bit slow she needs to ask to see one,

Thank you so much for replying, she sees her g.p. tomorrow so I will suggest she asks for a referral to rheumology doctor. Her doctor just wants to put her on anti depressant which she had in the past. They didn't help much and were a nightmare to get off them. Thanks so much. I'll post how she gets on.

 

[vivifarr]

Thank you so much . I will pass this on.

 

[vivifarr]

Thank you for that. I did wonder whether rheumatogist or neurologist was right but I think rheumatogy is the place to start.
She is currently taking tramadol but trying to reduce dose as it is not really working now and she thinks t makes her feel sick.
trouble is she needs something for the pain. Any ideas ?

 

[diamond]

Hi Vivifarr , How did your daughter get on?

If i had seen your post earlier i would have said whilest some antidepressants have some impact on pain and sleep don't let the doctor write your daughter off as depressed or as if antidepressants are a cure all.

I am hoping she got a referral to a rheumatologist who has the skills to diagnose and offer a range of treatment options....pain meds depend on the type of pain and there are other options like pool therapy....massage.....gentle excercise and sometimes hospitals have a specialist occupational therapist or nurse or group to help with coping skills.pacing etc for people with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia.

I really wish her well...and you.