My name is Sara, I am from Liverpool. I have joined this forum as although I am undiagnosed at the moment I have found so many similarities to fibromyalgia in my current health problems, and especially since reading some of your posts. Some things I have read about some symptoms such as smells and tastes, I hadn't even thought of as a symptom, but since reading your posts I have realised they may well be so thank you all!

I don't really no what to say, I work as a lab tech, my job is very active a lot of running around and handling hazardous chemicals, but I have had to take sick leave because I was struggling to just walk between labs let alone do any work!!
I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency when I got that diagnosis I was so relieved, I wasn't just lazy with lack of motivation, the aches and pains may have been from that also, the exhaustion, the vertigo my main symptoms as well as low mood - depression, irritability could be accounted for all good I will be on the mend. Phew!
Unfortunately the treatment helped alleviate the vertigo - I no longer feel like I am on a ship with the world bobbing up and down around me all day every day but I am still getting dizzy spells on and off. The exhaustion is still there but is not quite the same, I am still having sleeping problems but am waking up better (I was struggling to wake up) but I have found my aches and pains are worse, I still can't walk down a corridor - if I need to bend down to get something from a bottom shelf I need someone to help me up or use a something to pull myself up which hurts my arms and/or shoulder. I am 32 but my body feels like it has aged so much more and so quickly - or so it seemed at the time. The aches and pains have been there for a while just intermittent, something you shrug off and the next time you get an ache or pain it is somewhere else - so surely nothing wrong just signs of wear and tear with age - I am no spring chicken anymore!
So I am currently at a stage where I have had blood tests a few issues but nothing to suggest other conditions, no RA factor, no evidence of swelling physically or in my blood tests, I have a quite high ANA but no antigens (I was diagnosed with graves disease - hyperactive thyroid in 2008 i think (I can never remember properly) but that is all fine, after researching many of the conditions - nothing seemed to fit, it doesn't mean I don't have them, but when a friend who is well read on all of this said fibromyalgia fits I started reading and the more I read the more I seem to fit, as I say things like when my partner strokes my skin it is nice for a minute or two and then it feels like my skin is being rubbed away, but no signs of irritation, I hadn't even thought to mention this to the doctor, the smells knocking me sick that would never normally be a bother, if I drink a vodka a single tastes like a double or stronger, the same with cordials, food can taste funny to me when my partner says it is fine and normal all things I hadn't thought about, my skin itching more, this along side my inability to climb the stairs without great effort and pain leaving me breathless - even going downstairs, making a brew can be and effort - lifting an empty kettle feels like a ten ton weight walking leads to limping and pains and aches, sometimes my arms feel so heavy just lifting them on their own can be difficult, writing and typing hurts my fingers, hands and wrists and also sometimes my upper arms and shoulders and back. I can't stay in one position for too long with out tightness or pain, I have had to stop sharing a bed as my partner moving next to me can be agony and me moving next to him for hours on end can keep him awake, I now fall asleep watching something rubbish, it can be until the wee hours though and the difference with now and before I got the vitamin d supplements is now I am waking up early (and not late) still unrested and my muscles are so stiff and tight all over from what little sleep I might have had. I have always suffered with sleeping problems since I was in school, a mild insomnia I guess. but I always seems to still be able to wake with energy and a spring in my step.
Well I have rambled more than I planned, I have my first rheumatologist appointment on the 8th August so I will see what he has to say,
I was wondering if there are certain tests I should perhaps be looking at getting before I see him, I am not sure if there is any more I can get, I have had:
Liver and kidney function tests
Full blood count
Erthrocyte sedimentation rate
vitamin D
bone profile
Rheumatiod factor
Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody level
Anti-neutriophil cytoplasmic antigens
parathyroid hormone
Thyroid function tests
Haemoglobulin A1c
B12 and folate
ANA, DNA binding autoantibodies and ENA.
is there anything else you can think of that perhaps I could have done in preparation? I hate this waiting business, I am not very patient and I hate not being able to work ( my manages have also noticed I am struggling saying how I usually have such energy and drive - I hate not being able to do my job right, nothing has ever effected me like this where my job has suffered as a consequence and I love my job, which I think is why I have been so down as I have been struggling since the beginning or the year perhaps longer to be able to perform it to my best

if you have any advice would be truly appreciated.
Thank you so much if you have taken the time to read this, I am sorry if it all seems so muddled I find it hard to note it all down and forget things.
Thank you again xxxx Sara