My diagnosis of fibromyalgia destroyed all the trust I had with my doctor. Not just the one who treated my illness, but pretty much everyone I have had to deal with since. Keep reading to find out how my faith in the medical community began unraveling.
Fibromyalgia and Doctor Trouble!
After receiving my diagnosis, my calendar filled quickly with doctor appointments.
Between the first few medications prescribed not having any effect or causing allergic reactions, I was in my doctor’s office and the pharmacy way more than I had ever been in my entire life.
While I was fortunate to have received my diagnosis quickly, not everyone is as lucky. Some people have to see multiple doctors and wait years for their diagnosis.
*Disclosure: I am NOT a medical professional and am NOT issuing medical advice. Everything stated is my own experience and personal opinions. This post includes affiliate links. Meaning that at no additional cost to you, I receive a commission when you make a purchase through my links.
Not so Lucky
At first, I thought it was strange, but later I ran into an issue with my OBGYN who was treating me for ovarian cysts and endometriosis.
When I shared my fibromyalgia diagnosis with him, he said, and I quote “That is not a real disease”.
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He was just the first in a long run of specialists who refused to accept or acknowledge my diagnosis.
On the flip side, be prepared to have every other pain and symptom that comes into your life be blamed on fibromyalgia.
The same OBGYN who denied my chronic illness later changed his tune and used it to blame for the unrelated pain that I was experiencing after my hysterectomy.
Becoming My Own Advocate
That is when I learned to advocate for myself and refused to accept his totally incorrect diagnosis. Within a two-year time span, I saw 21 surgeons.
Two told me I needed to see a psychiatrist, that my pain was all in my head. Another accused me of being a drug addict and seventeen agreed with my OGBYN. Finally, number 21 said, “This is no way related to fibromyalgia or any of your other chronic illnesses and I will help you”.
And help me he did. In surgery, he discovered the mess that my OBGYN had left inside of me. Please use my experience to become your own advocate. Doctors do NOT always know what is best. Learn more about how I have had to become my own advocate.
What to Expect at Future Doctor Appointments with Fibromyalgia
- Be prepared to fight for your diagnosis.
- Having your diagnosis blamed for other medical conditions.
- Your primary doctor may not want to treat this illness and refer you to a rheumatologist.
- Both your primary physician or rheumatologist may not feel comfortable treating the pain portion of your illness and you may have to add the expense of a pain management team.
- Eyes will roll when you mention fibromyalgia.
- There is no cure. Do not expect your doctor’s prescription pad to provide you with anything more than a Band-Aid for your pain.
The Rest of the Story
The cost of living with fibromyalgia goes beyond finances. Nothing I read at the time of my diagnosis could have prepared me for the high cost of living with fibromyalgia. That is why I wrote this article.
Click below to read the rest of the series
