Seeking Direction for My Health Journey: Feeling Overwhelmed and Unwell
I'm reaching out for advice as I await my appointment with a new healthcare provider in two weeks. My journey with pain has been challenging; I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia without undergoing any tests, and unfortunately, my experience has not been supportive—my symptoms have only intensified over time. To give you some background, I'm 18 years old, and the discomfort began approximately six months after my child was born. In April of last year, I woke up with a slight ache in my left shoulder. It felt as if I had simply slept on it awkwardly, and it was most noticeable in the mornings. However, over the next few weeks, the pain gradually spread to my neck, still feeling muscular, prompting me to stretch often, believing it would eventually improve. Eventually, I consulted a doctor who diagnosed me with an inflamed rotator cuff based solely on movement tests. Although I was advised to take ibuprofen, there was no noticeable improvement. Two months later, the discomfort escalated considerably, spreading to my right shoulder and neck. The pain, which feels deep beneath my shoulder blades, intensified and transformed into a sharp ache radiating under my shoulder towards my upper arm, leading me back to the doctor. During that visit, I walked away with a fibromyalgia diagnosis, which seemed rushed; it was based solely on a few tender points that corresponded with common fibromyalgia markers. No blood tests, imaging, or further examination were conducted. It's important to note that I had also become a mother only six months prior to the onset of my pain, and I never received any postpartum follow-up due to insurance constraints, which adds to my worries. Feeling overlooked during that appointment, I have not sought further medical assistance since—this was around June. Since then, the pain has extended into my arms and mid-back, often flaring up more intensely on one side rather than being evenly felt. Recently, I've also noticed issues with dropping items and have developed sensitive spots on my arms that hurt to the touch. In addition, I've been grappling with extreme fatigue. This doesn’t seem tied to a lack of sleep; my child sleeps through the night, but by evening I find myself overwhelmingly tired most days, often struggling to stay awake after putting my child to bed. In the past week, the aching has surged once more, especially in the original site—the left shoulder blade—and it now extends down my left arm. What were once just tender spots have become deep, sharp pains that make using that arm difficult. Typically, my discomfort is a mixture of tightness and a dull ache, rather than a sharp pain. I feel lost regarding what to advocate for during my upcoming appointment. After being dismissed by numerous doctors for what feel like serious problems, I simply want to feel normal again. I'm trying to grasp potential conditions that could be behind this gradual increase in pain and the unilateral flare-ups. I would like to know what tests or referrals might be reasonable to request during my appointment—whether that's imaging, lab tests, or evaluations by specialists. Any guidance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Answers (1)
2/8/2026, 6:00:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand that you're feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with your health journey, especially with persistent pain and fatigue over the last year. While waiting for your upcoming appointment, it's important to prepare effectively and advocate for your health. Here’s a structured way to approach this:
Main Points
- Your symptoms: Persistent pain, fatigue, and the development of new symptoms like dropping items and sensitive spots.
- Diagnostic uncertainties: A diagnosis of fibromyalgia without thorough testing may not fully address your issues.
- Action plan: Prepare for your upcoming appointment by identifying specific requests and potential tests.
Explanation
Your symptoms, including widespread pain and fatigue, sound challenging. Fibromyalgia can be complex, and its diagnosis often comes from identifying specific tender points. However, similar symptoms can also arise from other conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, thyroid issues, or even vitamin deficiencies. Therefore, while the fibromyalgia diagnosis is a potential explanation, exploring other possibilities is crucial for thorough management.
Next Steps
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Keep a Symptom Diary: Track your pain levels, areas affected, any patterns you notice (like what seems to trigger or relieve your pain), and your fatigue levels. Documenting this can help your healthcare provider understand your experience more clearly.
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Prepare Questions for Your Appointment:
- Ask about broader evaluations to rule out other conditions. Consider inquiring about:
- Blood tests (like a complete blood count, thyroid function tests, vitamin D and B12 levels)
- Imaging tests (like an X-ray or MRI of your shoulders and neck)
- Referrals to specialists, such as a rheumatologist or a pain management expert.
- Ask about broader evaluations to rule out other conditions. Consider inquiring about:
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Request Comprehensive Assessment: Emphasize the need for a full evaluation of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Make sure to express your concerns about the unilateral pain and difficulties with your left arm.
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Discuss Treatment Options: Bring up potential pain management strategies, which could include physical therapy, guided exercises, or even cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for fibromyalgia, which may help with pain management and coping strategies.
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Consider Postpartum Issues: Share information about your postpartum experience with your healthcare provider; sometimes, hormonal changes or psychological factors can influence physical symptoms.
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Be Assertive, Yet Open: When you attend your appointment, remain confident in expressing how these issues impact your daily life. It’s vital that your concerns are validated and addressed during the evaluation.
Conclusion
Feeling normal again is a valid desire, and approaching your upcoming appointment prepared can set you on a better path towards that goal. Remember that you deserve attention and proper care for your situation; don’t hesitate to advocate for the necessary assessments and support. Take care, and I hope you find clarity and relief soon.
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