I finally got an appointment with a rheumatologist after seeing a dozen doctors for a year. She did all of the inflammatory marker labs. They all came back normal. She gave me an exam, loosely diagnosed me with fibromyalgia and sent me on my way. Said she didn't need to see me again and that my neurologist could help me with pain management. Needless to say I'm done with doctors for awhile. I'm not interested in being on a ton of meds. I'm now seeing a functional medicine doctor and will go the natural path for relief of symptoms. Also using turmeric and CBD for pain. I've done a lot of research over the past year and having any digestive diseases or issues can be an underlying cause of fibro. I have had IBS most of my life which is now being managed properly with diet. The mainstream medical system would rather have life long patients, it's profitable for them.

Dx by rheumatologist. Sent me to a pain doc that has been good. But apparently more than 10 years ago, or whenever i was diagnosed, rheumatologists didnt treat fibro patients. I think it is accepted practice for them to forward us to another doc for treatment.
Sorry, i know its confusing and frustrating!

Thank you!!!! That is very helpful!!!

Ah Rhumetologists! I’ve had five in last thirty years. I learned a lot by having that many different ones. The first one put me on Celebrex and Zoloft, had reactions to both. Second one said I have sensitive to many medications and to go the alternative medicine route. Acupuncturist said I was too depleted for it to do any good. Third said no drugs, watch my stress, pace activities, light exercise and stretching, and to get a housekeeper. Had a wonderful gentle chiropractor and body worker for 20 years. But in my late 50’s I would flareup too much. My last rheumatologist prescribed Gabapentin. I declined it. I’ve seen so many on here have bad reactions to it. And with my sensitivities I probably wouldn’t tolerate it well. 💖🦋
One thing to remember, is that even though everyone withfibromyalgia has overlapping symptoms , we are not all the same. Some can tolerate some medication’s well and some cannot.
Now I take Tylenol, CBD and creams, and use the Infrared heat pad. I have to go a lot slower now that I’m older.
I hope you can find some things that work for you. Don’t give up keep trying different things .

My rheumatologist diagnosed my fibromyalgia. When I asked him if he would treat me, he quickly said “No, I don’t treat fibromyalgia. You’ll have to speak to your GP”.