Since talking in my most recent posts about the possibility of having Fibromyalgia, I have finally spoken to my preferred doctor on the phone this morning. I had to keep checking my NHS app for when she became an option to choose for a telephone consultation. It takes a lot of stress away when you're comfortable with your medical professional.
We discussed why I suspected I might have Fibromyalgia and she said she could refer me to rheumatology to investigate further. I think she wanted to manage expectations with me though because it can take a year just for the referral, but if we do that, I can probably use my private medical insurance that I get through work.
Ultimately, as I actually said to the doctor, I don't think a diagnosis is going to dramatically change anything for me; treatment-wise it's what I'm doing now with pain management. I made it clear that I already understood that all the symptoms that I have are very broad and can be linked to so many conditions, including the ones I'm already diagnosed with, so it's not going to change my life immeasurably if I do or don't get a diagnosis. She did acknowledge that these conditions can overlap. I just said that if it's something that I might have, I would prefer for it to be on my record.
It would be something else to blame and another puzzle to figure out!
I also raised the possibility of another condition. I wasn't aware of this one until a sciencey friend asked if Primary Ovarian Insufficiency (also known as Premature Ovarian Failure), had ever been discussed with me. It hadn't so I looked into it a bit and again, my symptoms align, and again, they overlap with Endometriosis and Perimenopause.
I appreciated that the doctor took plenty of time to hear me out because it is a bit nerve-wracking to raise these things, and I didn't want her to think I was overreacting or being a hypochondriac. She took an interest and let me explain myself. It's always nice to feel heard.
What the doctor and I have agreed is that she will send a seek advice letter to gynaecology and see if, based on why I think my symptoms point in that direction and also on my medical history and existing diagnoses, if they think a referral is worthwhile. I'm already on HRT so again, treatment-wise I'm probably already covered. Let's see what sights they want to show me!
Speaking of HRT, I mentioned that I was on my last box of patches. When I tried to get a new prescription a few weeks ago, I was told by the receptionist that I had to go into the surgery which is a bit of a pain, but upon speaking to my doctor, she was happy with my recent blood pressure check so she put my prescription through.
I usually get three months' worth of patches and then the supply fun and games begin again but apparently guidance has recently changed and she was able to write me a prescription for a year's worth!
Next steps, she will call me when she has heard from gynaecology. She wants me to have various blood tests as it's been a long time since I have had any, but she wants to wait to see if gynaecology suggest any specific blood tests so I can get them all done at the same time. Fair.
So, I'm in a holding pattern until she rings me. I think when I do speak to lovely doctor again, I will mention the private referral to rheumatology. I forgot to mention that I have insurance through work. Oops.
In other news, it's been over a year since I got my hair cut so I have been in contact with my hairdresser and I'm booked in for a chop in a couple of weeks. It's getting a bit too scraggy for me.
Something to look forward to!
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