Weeeellllll, it took me a very long time....I went to four to five docs, over a 20 yr period....in between visits and tests, I would go years just living with the symptoms. Finally in 2008, a horrible flare convinced me to see an endocrinologist, then a neurologist, then a rheumatologist. The rheumy finally diagnosed fibro....she is fabulous, and handles all my treatment now.

I hope you have better luck, and find the right doc quicker than I did! HUGS from down south :)

Pretty much right after the Initial onset of major Symptoms & Tenderness...I was diagnosed, and rediagnosed...I TRIED to get away from the Diagnosis...

I went throught 3 years of hell being told I was mental... Probally becase I would leave the docs office in tears everytime they turnedme away in pain.... but I found a nurse practitioner that dxed me and its been nearly 15 years of being dxed. I dunno how much having a title has helped except to give me the chance to have a name for what is wrong... which let me say is a huge benifit

I don't mean to sound discouraging but I went to so many Drs looking for the answer that I lost count on the number. it took about 11 yrs.
I started the quest in 1994. Finally in 2005 a natuopathic dr dx me with both CFS and FMS.

It took only a few months to get a dx. It's been almost a year. My PC suspected it. Did some blood tests, quickly sent me on to a Rhumey. I wasn't halfway thorough my list of ills when he confirmed CFS/FM. MY Rhumey didn't even do the trigger point test. He said why put you through more pain. I'm positive it's CFS/FM. He said I was a textbook case.

I did spend some time later that summer going through more tests as some of my nastier symptoms showed their little heads. Every test run has lead right back to CFS/FM.

My Drs. didn't seem hesitant to dx. They are both relatively young. Perhaps it is a sign that CFS/FM are being taken seriously by Drs. now?

I went through five docs and pain management before I got a diagnosis. I had a feeling that's what is was for a long time before I was diagnosed. In all honesty, knowing has made things a bit easier for me. I do not like algebra because I do not like unknowns. I looked on my disease as an unknown and that was keeping me stressed to the max. I began to do research afterwards and working on more natural things to get well. So far, so good.

Unfortunately, this is one disease that most doctors either don't believe in or don't know enough about and many are hesitant to diagnose. That hurts us more than anything else.

Odd as it may seem, my GYN worked with me more than anyone else and helped me through some pretty rough spots.

I pray you find a doctor that will listen and work with you. they seem to be few and far between.

I was diagnosed right away with fibro, and then a few weeks later with Sjogrens and Lupus by a rheumy. So, process was "realatively" fast in the world of waiting for approvals, appointments etc. However, I've had symptoms that were getting worse and spreading for many years, so in that respect, it took a long time.

i just remember how many docs it took(in the 80's) to be diagnosed with endo, i went to a phuem and she was rude and not helpful, should i try a internal med? what can they really do anyways? I already take pain meds, my arms, thighs butocks hurt SO bad to the touch, i dont seem to have the chronic fatigue, tired but not way tired. I work part-time thank heavens, they are offering me weds off if i work longer other days, i want the day off, but dont know if i can work longer days?? thanks for your answers. Kim