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Fibromyalgia - GP refused to refer me
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Hello,
I don't know if anyone else has been in this situation. I've been diagnosed with FM by three different GP's, none of them has referred me on to anywhere else and I've been told that I need to see a rheumatologist for a "proper" diagnoses, is this correct and what can I do to get a referral?
I asked one to refer me, she declined and said she would need a good reason because the NHS are backlogged and the more recent one did blood test, asked if I had been referred and when I said no she said they would pretty much do what she has and that's to rule out other problems, again not wanting to refer me to anywhere.
My Son said he would email the manager of the surgery and explain to her and see what she says but I've tried this before with something else and it didn't help.
I don't know if anyone else has been in this situation. I've been diagnosed with FM by three different GP's, none of them has referred me on to anywhere else and I've been told that I need to see a rheumatologist for a "proper" diagnoses, is this correct and what can I do to get a referral?
I asked one to refer me, she declined and said she would need a good reason because the NHS are backlogged and the more recent one did blood test, asked if I had been referred and when I said no she said they would pretty much do what she has and that's to rule out other problems, again not wanting to refer me to anywhere.
My Son said he would email the manager of the surgery and explain to her and see what she says but I've tried this before with something else and it didn't help.
Replies
Feel free to ask me anything I will try to help, it is new to me to. I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis nearly 5 years ago and had just got the hang of that condition when I was told I had fibro, now I have no idea which pain is what but I'll help if I can.
I'm a Pain Warrior
I'm sure they would keep saying just wait if it was them in so much pain for months
In regards to the blood test, she said she was ruling out other causes, not that I fully trusted in regards to one of the things, a syndrome I thought I might have, I can never remember how to spell it, I'm sure it can't be diagnosed with blood tests, the GP that asked for the blood tests asked if I had been referred, when I said no she said they would do just the same as she has and would rule out other problems.. so I guess that was her excuse for not referring me.
@Firefly123 yeah someone else suggested going private but I wouldn't be able to afford it
@mikehughescq thanks, I think my Son's going to be emailing the practice manager and asking why the GP's don't seem to want to refer me, it could be what you've said but it would be nice to know.
Also, someone suggested I request an FM pack to be sent to them via FMUK, so I've done that.
Thanks for the replies
I'm a Pain Warrior
"A GP can diagnose fibromyalgia in the same way as a specialist - and their diagnosis is as valid providing that tests have been done to eliminate other potential conditions. Our understanding is that the NHS is encouraging more diagnoses to be made at GP level, with only the more complicated cases referred on to a specialist consultant. We are also unaware of any DWP rules that state a diagnosis must be made by a specialist."
I'm a Pain Warrior
I've been diagnosed more or less three times by three different GP's, the first one did the pressure points test, she was looking at a sheet but she did it none the less, the second I spoke to agree with the first and the third one did blood tests to rule out other problems, they came back normal so as far as my GP's are concerned, I have FM.
I have fibromyalgia, amongst other conditions. I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist in 2014 but I had previously been told by my gp a few years previously that I didn't need to be formally diagnosed by a rheumatologist to receive any treatment available as my gp was able to prescribe any medications or treatment needed. I hope this helps as it seems you can be diagnosed by a rheumatologist or a physiotherapist or your gp. When I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist I only saw him once and then after he diagnosed me he then referred me back to my gp for treatment which is quite normal unless you have further problems or complications which mean you may need to remain under the rheumatologist.
I had been suffering with fibro for many many years before being formally diagnosed. I hope this helps but please feel free to ask any questions you may have as I belong to a few Facebook groups for fibro and my other conditions.