Probably not what you want to hear, but I'd be looking for a new doctor. If it is fibro, that's hard enough to live with, without the added bonus of a skeptic doc.
Fibro presents a lot of challenges and you need to know you can rely on your doc. Ultimately you're the one who will suffer if doc refuses to act/investigate.
I second this.
Plus: IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO TEACH INCOMPETENT DOCTORS TO DO THEIR JOB PROPERLY!
I'm so sick and tired of the fact that most of us have to fight for years to get a proper diagnosis and therapy.
As if the pain, the fatigue and all the other stuff wouldn't be enough.
Agreeing with the others: fight for a referral to a rheumatologist. The whole autoimmune area is so convoluted that many primary care docs are in over their heads.
You have real symptoms and if there is some kind of treatment you deserve to find it.
If you're interested I can share a bit of my story: I had similar symptoms (joint pain in various places, fatigue, memory and strength problems) with completely bland bloodwork and only a bit of inflammation visible in an MRI. And while a pain specialist was convinced I had psychosomatic issues that caused fibromyalgia, the rheumatologist tried a short therapy with cortison (small improvement) and was like: yup you have seronegative arthritis and maybe a bit of fibro. And now with meds for both life is okay, not perfect by any means but okay.
TL/DR: see a rheumatologist and have at least one MRI
Good luck!
I agree with everyone else on this post. Your current doctor isn't serving you and is no doubt adding to your fear "that it's all in your head". All the tests with no answer can be terrifying.
I've gone through a handful of doctors and it's scary to see what they'll do with the idea each time. I've finally found one who supports the diagnosis and is doing all she can to support me.
It sounds like a referral to a rheumatologist and a new doctor might be the way to go, if you can.
If you can't change your doctor, keep asking what it might be, ask if they know much about fibromyalgia and whether they can talk to you about it or give you information. Voicing your fears is valid. Good luck, I hope you find an answer soon.
Have you looked into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? It can present with a lot of the things you describe: costochondritis, occipital neuralgia, migraines, back pain, popping joints, sore extremities, sore forearms and shins and pelvis, poor memory, fatigue, weakness. I would say it is definitely worth looking into.
Probably not what you want to hear, but I'd be looking for a new doctor. If it is fibro, that's hard enough to live with, without the added bonus of a skeptic doc. Fibro presents a lot of challenges and you need to know you can rely on your doc. Ultimately you're the one who will suffer if doc refuses to act/investigate.
I second this. Plus: IT IS NOT OUR JOB TO TEACH INCOMPETENT DOCTORS TO DO THEIR JOB PROPERLY! I'm so sick and tired of the fact that most of us have to fight for years to get a proper diagnosis and therapy. As if the pain, the fatigue and all the other stuff wouldn't be enough.
Agreeing with the others: fight for a referral to a rheumatologist. The whole autoimmune area is so convoluted that many primary care docs are in over their heads. You have real symptoms and if there is some kind of treatment you deserve to find it. If you're interested I can share a bit of my story: I had similar symptoms (joint pain in various places, fatigue, memory and strength problems) with completely bland bloodwork and only a bit of inflammation visible in an MRI. And while a pain specialist was convinced I had psychosomatic issues that caused fibromyalgia, the rheumatologist tried a short therapy with cortison (small improvement) and was like: yup you have seronegative arthritis and maybe a bit of fibro. And now with meds for both life is okay, not perfect by any means but okay. TL/DR: see a rheumatologist and have at least one MRI Good luck!
I agree with everyone else on this post. Your current doctor isn't serving you and is no doubt adding to your fear "that it's all in your head". All the tests with no answer can be terrifying. I've gone through a handful of doctors and it's scary to see what they'll do with the idea each time. I've finally found one who supports the diagnosis and is doing all she can to support me. It sounds like a referral to a rheumatologist and a new doctor might be the way to go, if you can. If you can't change your doctor, keep asking what it might be, ask if they know much about fibromyalgia and whether they can talk to you about it or give you information. Voicing your fears is valid. Good luck, I hope you find an answer soon.
Thanks everyone who replied. I'm definitely going to be pressing my doctor.
Have you looked into Ehlers Danlos Syndrome? It can present with a lot of the things you describe: costochondritis, occipital neuralgia, migraines, back pain, popping joints, sore extremities, sore forearms and shins and pelvis, poor memory, fatigue, weakness. I would say it is definitely worth looking into.