Who diagnosed you? GP or rheumatologist?

[Genevieve489]

As I mentioned in the 'Hello' section, I'm 68 and am waiting to have a blood test to see if my pain and fatigue is solely from osteoarthritis and trochanteric bursitis, or if I also have fibromyalgia or polymyalgia rheumatia.

I'm now gradually upping my dosage of Nortriptyline to 50mg a day - which is helping me to sleep better - and I see my GP again at the end of January.

I just wondered if he will diagnose me with fibromyalgia if my blood tests come back clear, or should I ask to see a rheumatologist anyway? Is it usual for GPs to make a fibromyalgia diagnosis or is it better to see a rheumatologist?

Edit: Suddenly realised that maybe this would have been better under Doctors and Health Services. I apologise if that is the case. As a newbie, I'm still finding my way around the Board.

[ktgreen123]

Hi,

My GP suspected I had fibro but after weeks of asking she finally referred me to a rheumatologist. Then the rheumatologist confirmed the diagnosis and referred me to physio.

Hope you get the diagnosis you are after.

Kate

[Zia2014]

Welcome to the board! It depends where in the country you are, by the replies I've seen before. My GP suspected it, and then referred me to a Rheumy for confirmation.

[dragonlady]

I was diagnosed by my rheumatologist as ive been being treated for serum neg rheumatoid arthritis for several years but I now know I have both and have to keep having blood test as they trigger each other of in flare ups so im never pain free I take 200mg amitryptaline for sleeping pregablin 300 mg for fibro and im now on zomorph 40mg for pain

[fatalrazkaz]

My symptoms were ignored by my GP for ten years. Made out I had depression which I knew I didn't. She still insisted I was tested and of course they said no I wasn't. The GP I had before her also ignored my symptoms for ten years. On seeing a different GP for a steroid injection in my foot for Plantar Fasciitis I mentioned my symptoms and he immediately said he was going to refer me to Rheumatology to see if I had Fibromyalgia. I had never heard of it before. I was officially diagnosed by a Consultant Rheumatologist. It only took 20 years !!!!!

[Genevieve489]

Thank you all very much for your help and sorry to hear that you had to wait so long to get a diagnosis, fatalrazkaz.

Obviously, it depends on what my blood tests show, but I think I'll be asking to see a rheumatologist when I next see the GP, just to have things confirmed.

All the best for Christmas and 2015.

[looeboy]

Rheumatologist after many years of saying I had Sero-Negative Inflammatory Arthritis. But now I have a condition called Hypogonadism whereby I don't have enough Testosterone, this can cause Osteoporosis. I always thought there was something else and when she said Fibromyalgia, I cried because it fits the bill exactly. I'm not allowed pain-killers other than Co-codamol due to Kidney disease. Good luck with you Fibro diagnosis.

[FluppyPuffy]

I've jiffled you over Genevieve

Dx~ing did tend to be the remit of the consultant with the interest/specialism in the condition, GPs would refer patients they thought/suspected might have a condition, with the specialist/consultant doing whatever else they thought necessary to find out the cause of the problems. Now tho, more and more GPs are making dx's as they are able to send the patient for what they think might be useful tests, scans, x~rays etc.

If you have a GP that you have confidence/belief in, then you may feel comfortable with them giving you a dx. If you have any uncertainties tho, you can always ask about a referral to the relevant clinic/specialist.

[Theresa34]

My rheumatologist diagnosed me. I was seeing him as I was sent to him from my gp due to joint swelling which turned out to be arthritis. I'm 35 right now.

[hazely]

orthopaedics suggested I had fibro gp referred me to rheumy but he was so rude as soon as I walked into the room he stated that he didn't label people. Then went onto say I wasn't a typical sufferer of fibro as I was not over weight or depressed and was active. took some bloods and discharged me back to gp. gp confirmed fibro

[baldrick]

I had a lot of pains 2 years ago, and had various MRI scans, steriod injections and physio, and none made significant difference, the physio made things worse!.

My first Gp was an older chap, and though nice he looked at every possible cause before he considered fibro, which i had never heard of, and i really dont fit the typical stereotype i guess. One day he was off, and i was changed to a younger GP, who was excellent, he diagnosed fibro as the likely cause of the problems. I have seen him every few months and he appears to be switched on with this kind of problem.

I have not seen a rheumatologist, and probably dont need to now. Happy enough with the GP service and diagnosis.

[baldrick]

I had a lot of pains 2 years ago, and had various MRI scans, steriod injections and physio, and none made significant difference, the physio made things worse!.

My first Gp was an older chap, and though nice he looked at every possible cause before he considered fibro, which i had never heard of, and i really dont fit the typical stereotype i guess. One day he was off, and i was changed to a younger GP, who was excellent, he diagnosed fibro as the likely cause of the problems. I have seen him every few months and he appears to be switched on with this kind of problem.

I have not seen a rheumatologist, and probably dont need to now. Happy enough with the GP service and diagnosis.

[Queenie_70]

I actually went to my GP for crippling pain in my hands. As a secretary, at the time, for three flight chiefs, and the section commander, I typed a lot and thought that might have had something to do with it. I was referred almost immediately to a Rheumy as they thought is was Ostio (sp) Arthritis. Bloods and tests were done with nothing to show for it, so the 12 point test was done. He was lovely, but I thought he pushed too hard on the sensitive parts, but it turned out to be fibro...I had never heard of it before then. This was in my mid 30's...over 40 now I am always asked who diagnosed me when I see a new doctor, I think they are making sure I am not self diagnosed...

[Genevieve489]

Thank you all for your replies and help. I do have confidence in my GP, but, as I've had the trochanteric bursitis for a year now and am in pain most nights - even though I'm taking 50mg Nortriptyline now - I feel that at my next appointment I will ask to see a rheumatologist. I would like an overall examination taking into account the bursitis, osteoarthritis and possibly fibromyalgia. I've already had two steroid injections for the bursitis, neither of which worked. Of course, as yet, I don't know what the blood tests will reveal.

Thanks again.

[dazzleship]

rheumatologist in my case. my GP (at the time, I've moved since then) suspected I had it when I went to her with the symptoms I had at the time (random pains all over my body) but sent me to a rheumatologist who did the tender point test and actually confirmed the fibro.