My Diagnosis Story

What symptoms led up to your diagnosis?

Stiffness with chronic pain in every part of the body with any movement, especially after getting up the next morning. Pain caused me to sleep all day and constant tiredness. Lethargy with no energy at all which felt like I was dragging a ton of bricks along with my body. Restless leg syndrome which interfered with my sleep as the pain was so unbearable. Shooting pains in all limbs. Some people liken fibromyalgia to the flu, others like doing a very heavy round in the gym but for me it was more like I had been knocked and kicked about on a rugby pitch after a vey hard game.

What tests did your doctor do, and what was this experience like?

He sent me to a rheumatologist immediately who then asked a few questions about my symptoms. It was pretty straightforward for me fortunately.  I think he checked my iron levels too. The doctor was pretty convinced from the beginning it was fibromyalgia that was the culprit. I was very fortunate.

Upon learning about your diagnosis, what happened next?

I was given various medication to ease the pain and eventually given an hour exercise therapy in a warm pool which was useless.