Fibromyalgia

[tiggerblue10]

After several months of suffering body aches, pains and constant all over stiffness I've come to the conclusion that I may have fibromyalgia rather than joint pain. The MRI scan I had earlier in the year showed that I had a bulging herniated disc but not much else.

I suffer with quite severe stiffness all over when I get up in the morning and also when I get up from sitting a while, usually at work. Even when stretching now I can feel pain and tension in my legs.

I looked up constant muscle ache and it came up with fibromyalgia.

Is there anything I can do to alleviate this or is it yet another trip to the GP? Shes probably fed up with me now and thinks I'm a hypochondriac!!

[Mamyalynne]

Fibro is a multi layered condition and not at all easy to diagnose quickly, it has taken my daughter 5 years to have a proper diagnosis - not that it has changed anything but good to rule out other things.


It's equally a multi layered approach with treatment - the first step is the GP with maybe a referral on.

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks Mamy

I've had the aches and pains for a number of years but its been getting considerably worse over the last year.

[Buenchico]

It would seem best to get your GP to confirm (or reject) your self-diagnosis before following any particular course of action.

However, since you've asked about what you can do to help cope with Fibromyalgia, I'll offer these links anyway:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyalgia/Pages/SelfHelp.aspx

http://ukfibromyalgia.com/pages/complementary.php

http://ukfibromyalgia.com/pages/treatments.php

[tiggerblue10]

Thanks Chris

Looking at these now. I do a lot of walking i.e. walking 3 miles home each day from work, but as the pain has gotten worse I stopped this a couple of weeks ago.

[NoMercy]

A Rheumatologist will need to thoroughly examine you.

To diagnose something like fibromyalgia or polymyalgia rhumatica they would need to test certain pressure points around your body.

You may be started on high dose Prednisolone (60mg daily or thereabouts) and commence a long tapering regime from that point.

A trip to the GP is the first point of call.

[waterboatman]

I agree with that. GP first port of call.