What to expect when going to a rheumatologist the first time? And Fibromyalgia?
Hey all, I'm going to see a rheumatologist tomorrow, for suspicion that I may have fibromyalgia or similar issue. What do they normally do right off the bat for you besides the usual paperwork, medical history, etc?
Also, for the medical community, these are my symptoms, and odd things that go on-
-poor sleep / odd sleep patterns
-stiffness
-of the typical 18 tender points, I have 10
-muscle twitching, especially in the eye area
-experience numbness in pinkys and ring fingers of both hands
-mitral valve prolapse
-eczema
-bone pain in one foot, but there's no damage, no injuries occurred
-joints crack often
-constant tense muscles in my back and shoulders
-with flare-ups, pain is in the flank area- mimicks a severe kidney infection, when I go to the ER, my white blood count is through the roof, but once the pain subsides it goes to normal without antibiotics, accompanied by nausea and vomiting
-occasional constipation
-constant pelvic pain
-migraines
-dizziness
-difficulty concentrating
-fatigue that makes it difficult to function
-absolutely awful menstrual pain
-seasonal allergies
-breathing- I sometimes catch myself not breathing enough in a way, almost like I hold my breath subconsciously
-high stress levels and anxiety
This is what leads us to believe it's fibro, thoughts? Or does it sound like something else that I should bring up at my appt?
Luckily, I did get as far as being prescribed Lyrica by my doctor, this has taken away a lot of the pain, and I haven't had a flare up in almost 2 weeks (before then, I was having one every few days for months).
Thank you for your insight in advance!!
Heather- yes, everything else has been checked, and all tests come back normal. No evidence of stones, ultrasounds are done with every episode. No protein or anything else that would signal a UTI. The episode simply mimicks an infection- this has been determined, every time it happens it is proved that even though my white count is up it's NOT caused by infection.
Public Comments
1. As far as I know, fibromyalgia does not cause an elevated white blood cell count (infection and inflammation is usually the cause of this) or heart problems. In fact, people will fibromyalgia usually do not have any positive results on medical tests. It is usually diagnosed by ruling out other conditions. Your flank pain episodes do not sound like fibromyalgia either. Do you have blood or protein in your urine when this happens? (Sounds like possible kidney stones).Have they already ruled out all the usual suspects that have the same symptoms as fibromyalgia, like anemia and thyroid? Have you been checked for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and other autoimmune diseases?
2. The rheumatologist is a specialist. There won't be anything you will need to bring up at your appt.
the doc will assess your joints for movement, range of motion, pain, inflammation, etc. Will ask questions and take xrays if necessary.
3. the first thing you get is an attitude--even most rheumys are incompetant whenit comes to fibro--
if you are lucky they will review your past test resulst --do a quick exam (tenderpoints) and give you a diagnossi if it fits--
a couple things don't fit well---its possible you have a few conditions going on--fibro could be one of tehm--
there is a lot of mis info about fibro--and many people are falsely diagnaosed--
real fibro is a neuro probelm---doesn't really affect the skin--some people will say it does--bu those peopel are misiagnosed or have 2 separate conditions--fibro and a skin disorder...
the white blood cell doesn't fit---there may be something autoimmune going on-
fibro is NOT autoimmune
fibro is soft tissue pain--not bone pain---could be a separate problem--like plantar faciitis
the hand probelm can by fiobro--or carpal tunnel
4. As you go though this process, I would appreciate feedback about your experiences with elevated white blood count. It could be helpful to others. I do know that many people experience blood pressure increases when they are in pain.
Did those problems start before or after you began taking Lyrica?
You can read how we test and treat Fibromyalgia on www.FibroFix.com
Annie
