Morning Scentia. Sorry it’s a very long post!
I’m outlining my symptoms to help, rather than moan. Fibro can seem to include pretty much anything, but everything isn’t necessarily fibro.
My symptoms are: widespread pain, head to foot, can strike anywhere, joints (yes for me), muscles (aches, cramping and spasms), neck and back. Sometimes sharp, burning stabbing pains like red hot needles that take my breath away (especially if in my eyes), sometimes like being struck by lightening, sometimes like a dislocated joint and can’t move e.g. arm at all. Sometimes like I’ve been burned or bruised when I haven’t. Sometimes just annoying background pain. Hypersensitivity to touch causing pain from even clothes or bedding touching skin, also sensitivity to light, sound and smell, any of which can cause pain or distress which others simply cannot understand.
Headaches, chronic headaches, migraines, chronic migraines, ‘brain fog’ (inability to concentrate, focus, remember, confusion etc.), dizziness and balance problems. I could trip over a shadow.
Tinnitus, constant. I think that would be the first symptom I’d fix if I could, because its always there, like my brain is screaming.
Vision problems (double vision, blurring, inability to focus eyes, bouncing vision which causes nausea and extreme dizziness).
Insomnia, disrupted sleep. Fatigue. Restless leg syndrome (RLS), also involving my arms. IBS. And I’ve probably forgotten some.
Sounds hideous when you put it all together. Fortunately I don’t often get all of that at the same time. It’s a very up and down syndrome which can be affected by stress and trauma (of any kind, physical, emotional), it can also be affected by the weather, or what I do, such as overdoing things on a good day.
Initially after diagnosis I was prescribed amitriptyline but that made my RLS significantly worse. Now I manage my headaches, migraines and insomnia with gabapentin and it really helps. I’m not sure how much it helps with the widespread pain, but think it does a bit. I keep active, I exercise every day. I do some stretching and I walk for at least an hour (I have a dog) as briskly as I can, that varies day to day, some days it feels like my legs are made of concrete but I force myself (actually, the dog does that!). I did try Tai Chi as recommended by consultant, but found my coordination (or lack of) just couldn’t cope with it. I also do all household chores and gardening myself. I keep busy and occupied, I do ‘brain training’ activities too, to try to keep my brain active now I am retired.
I find it helps not to dwell on symptoms (in spite of the above!) to accept it, it is what it is. At least now, after decades of answering people who asked what was wrong by saying “Apparently nothing.”, now I can say “It’s just a fibro thing, it’ll pass.” and that does help. Explain to family and friends what it involves for you. Tell them what you find difficult or can’t do. Be kind to yourself, rest when you need to, but stay as active and positive as you can.
There are obviously more people on GN with it, we’re all happy to listen and talk about it with others who understand (or don’t!).
Hope your appointment goes ok. Take a list of symptoms and questions. Ask if there is a consultant locally with an interest in it (could be rheumatologist, mine was) if the GP is not familiar with treatment options.
Good luck.