Fibromyalgia diagnosis!

[swebber]

A possible diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, may mean I have to give up work soon or at least go part time.

Is there anyone with knowledge of this condition , that could help me work out if it is considered a disablity, by employers and also by the government.

My mother has ME and constanlty struggles to get the benefits people to believe she is unfit for work, I really don't want to end up in the same position as she is in.

Any advice appreciated.

Sara

[scrimping steff]

Fibromyalgia is actually very similair to M.E (which I also suffer from commiserations to both you and your mum) There are some excellent books at the library, one I found was the dummies guide to fibromyalgia, which is excellent as you don't need to be a doctor to understand it. Also there are many websites though beware a lot of them are just trying to sell you stuff.

here are a few which may help,
http://www.fibrofocus.org.uk/links.html
http://www.ukfibromyalgia.com
http://members.aol.com/fibroworld/index.htm

Hope these help, on the benefits front I find it depends who is dealing with you as to wether they believe you or not. I have had no problems at all, but I have a friend who lives 18 miles away who is really struggling to get recognition. My best advice is try and see.

[umngane]

I’ve posted this message elsewhere so apologies to those who have already read this post –

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Hi Sara,

It is well worth getting tested for Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections. Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to diagnose and is a great mimicker of other illnesses. Many ME and Fibromyalgia patients have been misdiagnosed and in fact are suffering from Lyme disease.

Be aware that if you have had a negative Lyme disease test this, in NO way, is a conclusive result (most of the antibody tests are notoriously unreliable , producing false-negative results, few doctors in the UK are aware of this, or the prevalence of Lyme disease for that matter).

The best way to get conclusive proof of a Lyme disease infection is to have your blood screened under the microscope by a specialist. I know of only one ME specialist in the UK that provides darkfield microscopy screening. He sends out blood slide kits to those who are unable to come to his clinic (in Bolton) and is willing to have telephone consultations if need be. If you would like his details feel free to e-mail me.

I was (mis)diagnosed with ME 5 years ago. I continued to develop a myriad of symptoms over the years. Recently, I had my blood screened under a microscope by this ME specialist. He found Borrelia spirochetes in my blood - Lyme disease! He also tested my blood for other bacterial infections (one of which was also positive for Rickettsia).

After all these years of being told that I had ME and nothing could be done for me, I am now being treated for the real cause of my ill health - Lyme disease (and Rickettsia). I have a long course of antibiotics ahead (at least 18 months) but am starting to see a slow improvement. My arthritic and lethargic cat was also screened and he too has a Lyme disease infection (he is improving on antibiotics everyday)!

I highly recommend having the blood slide examination. Even if my test had been negative it would have been worth it just to be able to conclusively rule Lyme disease out.

This ME specialist in Bolton is very thorough and will also test your mitochondria function (very significant in ME), alongside other necessary blood tests.

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Information on Lyme disease –

The EuroLyme Yahoo group is a good resource and support network.

http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/lyme.htm

http://www.immunesupport.com/library/print.cfm?ID=6743

Huge range of possible symptoms - http://www.lymediseaseaction.org.uk/symptoms.php

http://www.theoneclickgroup.co.uk/do...s/Borreliosis/

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Good luck with everything!!

NB. Please note that I am in no way affiliated with this specialist and am not a doctor. I am just speaking from personal experience and hope that it may help someone else.

[Dora the Explorer]

Hope this helps. There should be useful information on fybromalgia on the nhsdirect and netdoctor websites. If you need further information, have a look at the medline website. It's the US government health website and there are lots of links to research on all conditions.

[bluezone]

Yes it can be classed as a disability. You can claim DLA (disability living allowance) depending on the severity of FMS that you have.

[Ted_Hutchinson]

Yes it can be classed as a disability. You can claim DLA (disability living allowance) depending on the severity of FMS that you have.You can claim DLA WITHOUT and medical diagnosis. DLA depends on your care needs or walking ability. It does make it easier to claim if there is a medical diagnosis but if the problems have existed for 3 months and there is reason to believe they will continue for a further six months then claim DLA.
Having you legs amptutated is a surer (though not 100% certain) way of meeting the walking criteria, having legs that simply won't perform but look perfectly fine does create problems for the DLA decision maker and most people with any condition that can be regarded as Psychosomatic by the medics presents problems so anyone with a condition which some people regard as Psychosomatic, even those good medical evidence for their diagnosis, are best advised to get Welfare Rights Support for their claim and Become a membe (http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/about_membership/Become_a_member.htm)r of Benefits and Work.

Edit do also check the previous Fibromyalgia threads here and the links provided.

[bluezone]

the medical diagnosis does make the claiming of DLA easier as we have said because to some others you can look fine. And the people in the claiming office do SOMETIMES try to make things difficult for those putting claims in. Also due to the fact that a few years ago it wasn't that well known most people didn't know how to regard FMS in disability and or claim wise.

Good post Ted_Hutchinson.

[Savvy_Sue]

Having you legs amptutated is a surer (though not 100% certain) way of meeting the walking criteria, and it does have to be both legs, I think you'll find, a single leg amputation doesn't normally get you any mobility component of DLA!

[Ted_Hutchinson]

and it does have to be both legs, I think you'll find, a single leg amputation doesn't normally get you any mobility component of DLA!There have been cases where someone with amputated legs was able to walk with artificial legs more than 50meters so losing entitlement. The ability to walk includes the use of walking aids.