Day 159: Is Fibromyalgia Even REAL?

That was my question when I saw the Cardiologist today.   He was EXTREMELY kind and smart... worth putting up with an incompetent staff and ridiculous wait to talk to. With curiosity, he looked over my initial heart monitoring readings.

"See, that.  That looks normal," he said to the PA.
"Tell me more about the chest pains," he said, looking a me. "Do they last for hours or minutes?"

With a group of four watching, I described my experience.  How sometimes my breath just catches in my chest. How pain wakes me from sleep.

"It's like stabbing and just when I'm about to call 9-1-1, it disappears," I explained.
"Does it hurt here?" he said, pressing on tender spot in my neck.
"Yes," I answered.
"Do you have shooting pains in your legs, arms, and feet?"
"Yes."
"How about other spots? Does it hurt other places?"
"It hurts everywhere," I started to cry.

"You see. This is what Fibromyalgia looks like," he said, turning back to the PA. "Widespread pain, exhaustion, depression. If we put her on Fibromyalgia medication, she's going to get better."

"Really??" I asked, interrupting. "Fibromyalgia?? Is that even REAL??"
"Oh...yes," he reassured, putting his hand on my shoulder.

He then went on to outline the plan of attack: a Chest X-Ray, Stress Test, Echo Cardiogram...just to be sure...recommendations for my doctor.

"Your prognosis is good," he soothed. "You're going to come back from this."

Let's hope that he's right.

Update: 5/15.  It was brought to my attention today that this post was hurtful and offensive to someone in the Fibromyalgia community. So I just wanted to take a minute and apologize for that.  The pain of Fibromyalgia is DEFINITELY REAL. I have NO doubts about that.  What I am struggling with is are people being told they have Fibromyalgia when they are really struggling with something else...like perhaps Lyme (ie: is Fibro the problem or the symptom?). Anyway,  thanks Anne Marie for sharing your thoughts with me.  You are right. Chronic Illness is such an important issue and the last thing I want for ANYBODY is to feel dismissed. I hope you'll keep reading and commenting. We need each other.

Altered Today: More confusing information, 5 hour recovery nap, Fibromyalgia research

Comments

[Jeanne]

I wish they would do a study involving people with "Fibro" and test them all for lyme. I've got all the classic "Fibro" traits. Darn near everyone I know with Lyme Disease, at one point or another has had the diagnosis. The funniest appointment I ever had was with a Neurologist. He said I had Fibromylagia. I said,
"Where did it originate, do you think?"
He said, "Well, from your original lyme infection."
And I said, "Doesn't Fibromyalgia mean 'pain of unknown origin,' Doc?"
He said, "Yes."
"Well, that makes no sense. You know the origin of mine."

[Debbie Semarge]

I sure hope they get something figured out.. I just hate it that you are going through this. I love you my baby sister..

[KTag]

I asked a similar question and was told it starts from unresolved trauma in the body (psychological and physical). Cardiologist didn't discount Lyme, mentioned to the PA I might have this on top of it. UUUGH. It's just so maddening.

He also asked if I'd been tested for Lupus. Does this circle ever end?

[KTag]

Thanks, Deb. Love you too. :)

[Robyn Barnes]

Can't imagine how frustrating all the over-lap must be. Is it worth trying the meds to see if they will help your sympotoms, even though it might be from lyme, not fibromyalgia? Hope it helps in some way!

[KTag]

Thanks, Robyn. Yes...I agree. Anything is worth a shot. They haven't prescribed or officially diagnosed yet. Depending on the heart tests and pending MRI, they will decide what to do next. Thanks for checking in and sending good thoughts. Miss you! XOXOX

[crystal trinboli]

fibro as pertains to my life is brought on by fatigue. yes ive had a bloodtest and then went to a RA specialist. so it is in the auto immune family of illnesses. so I do have this condition. for me all the sudden I feel Like Ive been hit by A mack truck. aches pains stinging tendoins bone joint so i drink milk luke warm.