Hello Rubyo and welcome!

I'm sorry to say it, but that sounds like a rather terrible doctor! What doctor simply boots a patient out the door without giving any real kind of information about a diagnosis, even if that "caregiver" doesn't treat fibromyalgia. I use the sarcastic quotes because if you don't offer someone advice on what to do and who to seek out, you're doing the caring thing wrong.

In short: yes, it would probably be best to seek out structured treatment for your fibro so that it can be kept within acceptable levels. Most people here would advise contact with a neurologist (since fibro is a neuro-muscular disorder) and a rheumatologist. Obviously not your old one, but a sensible one with some empathy that doesn't only treat selective ailments at their leisure.

There is a very useful book: Fibromyalgia for Dummies. It can tell you a lot about the diagnosis and is pretty cheaply available on Amazon. It's sort of this group's personal bible for many. You can also turn to this group with questions or whatnot, since there are many years of experience brought together here.

I'd say at this point that it would be important to educate yourself and try to get in contact with decent healthcare professionals. There isn't so much any test you can do for fibro as that they try to rule out everything else before concluding it then must be fibro - diagnosis by elimination.

If your rheumy readily threw the diagnosis at you; consider a second opinion. Hell, get a second opinion even if it's the top physician in the country. You never know when another doctor had that one experience that makes her/him recognize a certain affliction in your symptoms. Fibromyalgia is very, very commonly one of multiple diagnoses, and life can be tough enough without also having a disorder that is actually treatable or very manageable.

I feel rather mad in your stead and feel bad for you that you had to get into the whole fibro thing in such a confusing and cold manner. They at least gave me little pamphlet about it when I walked away from my rheumy with a diagnosis I didn't understand!

Write that rheumatologist off as a *bleep* and a bad job, if you ask me, and look for a neurologist and rheumy that understand caring for and about your health is part of their job in healthcare!

You're free to post questions here, but you can also just vent and rant about things that are upsetting you in your daily fibro battles. There's a daily check-in where everyone gathers as much or as little as they want, just to chat about the day they're having. Jump in whenever you want! Welcome again!

Well, Sonya delivered the official welcome, so I'll just add a cheerful Hello! (Fantod and I used to be our first responders, LOL, I guess we rubbed off, right down to the FIbro for Dummies book recommendation!)
Post whatever, whenever. Fibro is classified as neuromuscular, but treating it is difficult, b/c its cause is unknown and its effects vary from one person to another. I echo the recommendation to fire that doc and get a second-third-tenth opinion until someone helps you understand. Remember, docs work for you, not the other way around!

Thank you so much,you both are so right I give up to easy. I let doctors bully me and I'm done. I'm going to fight for health.

Welcome to the group! Fibromyalgia is a disorder of the central nervous system. In some people, it can be triggered by a high level of stress, an accident, surgery, childbirth, or emotional trauma. The mechanism that triggers it is not understood. There is also a genetic component as it does run in families. We all have underlying health issues which further complicate things.

Only certain classes of prescribed medications work for the type of pain caused by Fibromyalgia. OTC medication such as Tylenol, Aleve etc. are generally not effective. The three primary prescribed medications used to treat Fibromyalgia are Cymbalta, Savella and Lyrica. Gabapentin and muscle relaxers are also used. You will also require a medication for sleep. Fibromyalgia interrupts the deep sleep cycle with short bursts of high intensity brain activity. No deep sleep means higher levels of pain. This is a critical part of treating/managing Fibromyalgia.

Get the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies" which is available on Amazon. Education is your best defense against doctors like the rheumy who diagnosed you and failed to offer a treatment plan or any other options. I'd write a letter of complaint to your health insurer about them.

You can call your local hospital and ask for the physician referral department. See if they can match you up with a neurologist, rheumy and/or a pain management specialist who has an interest in Fibromyalgia. You have to be your own best advocate to get help particularly with this illness. Most of us have fired at least one doctor for incompetence or failing to act in our best interests. Good luck to you.