Hi there

I'm new to the forum and live in Sydney. First of all, thanks for taking the time to read this email.

I've recently been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist but my GP thinks he has just called it "Fibromyalgia Syndrome" because he couldn't find an inflammatory disease. (I had Adult On-set Stills Disease 1995-1997 which I saw this rheumatologist for and the concern was that it may have come back but it has been ruled out).

The rheum Dr said that the management is regular exercise and anti-depressants so, as I'm already doing this, he said he wasn't going to refer me to anyone else or suggest any other management plan. (regular exercise used to mean doing a sport 3 times a week, now it means just having a shower and getting the kids dressed and fed each day!) At the time I thought he was being pretty blase about it considering how I was actually physically feeling. Being in his office on my own, I wasn't thinking quickly enough to ask many questions and before I knew it I was told that it's great that I don't have a degenerative or inflammatory disease, so I've got nothing to worry about.

Now, I agree that things could be a LOT worse given that I'm not bedridden, nor are my joints being ruined by rheum arthritis. However, I am unwell and need help managing it. If I'm brushed off by a diagnosing doctor and then not really believed by my GP, where do I go? Or do I just try and research myself and try different things to see what works? Am giving remedial massage a go at the moment plus eliminating caffeine and alcohol.

Has anyone else been diagnosed by a rheumatologist? Any thoughts on a next step to take?

Thanks so much
Rhonda