I went to my doctor yesterday and he agreed to refer me to a neurologist for my Fibromyalgia (I'll fill in the rest of that story in a second), and sent me to have x-rays done on my hands to see if any arthritis shows up or not.... although he said that some types of arthritis doesn't even show up for the first few years.
Anyway, about the neurologist... A few years back, when I first started having stomach problems, I saw a Gastrointestinal specialist who ran all kinds of test on me because he said I had all the symptoms of a Gall Bladder attack.. but nothing showed up on the tests. He had be go to the hospital where he put a tube down my throat to have a look around... lots of fun and I hope I NEVER have to do that again as I have a very touchy gag reflux, even if I put my toothbrush back a tiny bit too far while brushing my tongue. Anyway, when nothing showed up on that test either he told me to be careful of what I eat (keeping an eye to see if I could figure out the main things that set it off) and if it got worse to go back to him and he would try something else. Well the pains and sickness that goes with it didn't get any *worse* (they didn't exactly get better either, but he never said anything about that and I hate going to doctors, so we know what happened there), so I just didn't bother the doctor again.
However, considering that the Disability people are being such pains about not wanting to approve me for Disability without *more* proof, and because the arthritic specialist mentioned to my family doctor that I could very likely also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome as well as my other problems... my doctor and I decided that I should go back to see Dr Muhunthan (Gastrointestinal specialist) again. An appointment was booked (for November), and I called his office to ask a question. While speaking to the receptionist she asked what my visit with the doctor would be about. I started to tell her about having been to the arthritic specialist because of my Fibromyalgia.... but before I could finish (that he had suggested that I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome) she said "Oh, you probably want the OTHER Dr Muhunthan, this Dr Muhunthan's wife. She's a neurologist and deals with Fibromyalgia patients all the time." I explained what I was going to the male Dr Muhunthan about, and she said "Okay, you have the right one then."
However, while I was at my family doctor yesterday, I told him what had happened with that phone conversation and asked if he thought I should go to the OTHER Dr Muhunthan too... for my Fibromyalgia. He said "It couldn't hurt... and besides, the more specialist reports we can send in to Disability, the better for your case." So he is setting up an appointment for me with the neurologist too. Meanwhile he also started me on Diazepam for my nerves and muscle spasms. I had taken Diazepam years ago for my nerves and I had no problems with them, so we're hoping that I am still able to take them considering the problems I have taking Amitriptyline (sp) that a lot of people can take for Fibromyalgia. It's a low dosage, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that... I just took my first one a few minutes ago.
I will go back to my doctor in a couple of weeks to check on how I'm doing on this medication (sooner if I have a bad reaction, of course), and will find out then if the x-rays show any signs of arthritis in my fingers. It definitely feels like I have it, but my fingers don't hurt all the time... afternoons and evenings, and I am able to move them even though it hurts to do so. *shrug* If it *does* show arthritis, I will take those x-rays to Dr Chopra (arthritic specialist) and see if he will re-evaluate me again.
In any case, arthritis showing in my fingers or not, hopefully I will have been to see both the Dr Muhunthan's (Gastrointestinal & Neurologist) by mid-November, and my doctor will have a letter of report back from them both... so we can proceed with my *new* application for Disability. Still hoping that I do get another review of the first application though, because if that one is finally approved they will pay me retrospectively back to last summer when I was first declined.
That's how everything stands at the moment. I'm still feeling under the weather... although I noticed a little while ago that my face is a bit flushed and I'm feeling a little warm now too, so maybe I have a touch of a cold or flu starting... but I don't think so... it does feel more like strong Fibromyalgia symptoms that don't want to leave me for a few days (again). This happens every so often, so I just have to rest a lot and move when I feel up to it, which isn't too often.
I will check in from time to time over the next few days though... but may not post often, if at all.
Peace! Gemini