When and how did you get diagnosed?

Not necessarily a Monday theme but since it takes us all back to the day of diagnosis, the beginning of our journey it is in effect, Monday for many of us..My thoughts...


Fibromyalgia ~ When did you receive your diagnosis and how was it presented to you? Who was it given to you by? Primary care Doc or a specialist in the field?  Looking back, how long before your diagnosis did you have symptoms? 

I remember leading up to my diagnosis of Fibromyalgia the pain in my joints, muscles and the battle fatigue I was experiencing. I was experiencing the feeling of being so cold to the bone I could not get warm no matter what I did. Going to bed with sweats on, gloves, socks, multiple blankets, a warming blanket on and a heating pad in bed with me on low setting yet still I felt as though I was in the Arctic with little protection. 
In 2007 after multiple visits to my primary doc with referrals for blood work to rule out Lupus and other illnesses I was Finally referred t a specialist. 
After making my initial appointment with my Rheumatlogy Specialist It didn't take long for her to diagnose me with Fibromyalgia. I was not surprised as this was what I was certain I had to begin with. Now the treatment options were discussed and agreed to, meds prescribed and so we began our routine. I see this doc every three months and we did have to increase the pain med to 4x a day. My hands are the only thing the pain meds does not help much, odd. I barely tap a knuckle on the countertop or coffee table and I am through the roof with pain. One day approximately 7 months back my hands became so cold like ice that I was in tears and hurried to the kitchen faucet turning on the hot water. I kept my hands under the  hot water giving thanks for the awesome heat it gave me. I never had my hands in such pain like that before. 
Last visit to my specialist I informed her of this phenomena and we are keeping check on it. If it occurs again we will look deeper into it.  
My right hand continually becomes Very cold like it has been sitting in the fridge for awhile. I am looking into the purchase of Compression Gloves. With current funding they will have to be my Christmas gift to me lol. 


Wishing all of you a wonderful afternoon,
Peace, Love and Light


This post was written as part of #NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: 
http://bit.ly/vU0g9J