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Very interesting that this doctor mentions a quick diagnosis.
Pain relief? Not if diagnosis is wrong
Seeded on Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:38 PM EST
Article Source: ABC Action News- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (4)
I first started showing symptoms of some illness in fall of 1997. It took 3.5 yrs of seeing doctors and being tested to get a diagnosis of fibro.
I saw general practioners, rheumatologists, neurologists, orthopedists, osteopaths, internists, psychiatrists, psychologists and I'm not sure who all before I was finally diagnosed with a 'real' illness.
I could not find anyone in 1997-2000 that had even heard of fibromyalgia let alone been diagnosed within 150 miles of my town. Today it seems like every person I speak with either has been diagnosed or has a family/friend that has fibro. Is this because it is that prevalent or is it because doctors would rather just throw a label onto the difficult to diagnose patient?
I'd like to hear others opinions but please be respectful.
#1 - Wed Nov 30, 2011 10:45 PM ESTGood seed, Virginia. You know most of my story....went to about five or so doctors, was dismissed and passed on from doctor to doctor. Initially told all my pain was "in my head" and that maybe I had a "dark side" and I was "too young" for Fibro. Initially the doctor told me I had bone cancer, then that was negative. Then said I had Hep C. That was negative. It went on and on. Finally, I did a lot of research (still do every day) and went to a Neurologist and a Rheumatologist, who both diagnosed me with Fibromyalgia. I see my Rheumatologist every 3 months and have for over 5 years. Since then I have been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, RLS and other conditions or diseases and was just diagnosed with something new (and painful) three weeks ago. It never ends. There are other conditions we suspect I have but I don't have insurance and can't afford the tests or MRI's. Once you have Fibro, many seem to get progressively worse and develop other conditions. They often go hand in hand. That is what has happened with me.
I do think many people are misdiagnosed, I also think it may be more prevalent. Some doctors use Fibromyalgia as a catch-all term to label people who are in pain or have fatigue, others doubt the validity of the condition and don't give it the respect it deserves. There needs to be more research and more time committed to learning about Fibromyalgia and actually figuring it out. Sometimes people or doctors feel comfortable just throwing out theories as fact - and to me that can sometimes be dangerous and insulting, depending on what they say and what the agenda is. In the meantime however, people are actually suffering....
I can tell by your writing Jerseygirl that you are in the same boat as alot of us with this diagnosis. I am too scared to go to the doctor when I have any new illness/symptom because I just can't bear the thought of being diagnosed with another illness/disease. I have been diagnosed with so many illnesses/diseases/syndromes that I feel like I could be a teaching aid for 10 different medical specialty fields :(
The last time I saw my rheumatologist I was kind of rushed out when I stated that I was tired of being told that there is no treatment for my illnesses just pallative care for the symptoms, i.e. pain pills for the pain and sleeping pills for the lack of sleep :( No doctor wants to hear that the patient wants to be cured instead of being handed pain pills and a follow up appointment.
I too am tired of all of us suffering day after day instead of looking forward to a day when we might be well.
Hello, my friend. Yes, it seems we are in the same boat (or sinking ship?). Those of us with Fibromyalgia or health issues should support and be there for one another. It helps me quite a bit to talk to those that understand. I'm here if you need me...
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