Fibromyalgia..Is It an autoimmune disease?

@lilymol Gosh, a couple of months? That’s too long when you’re feeling awful! Are there any medical centers within 1-3 hours away? Or a university medical center? I ended up going to a university med center about 1 hour away. I got great care there.
Since you have autoimmune diseases already, I suggest that can call the rheumatologist who treats you. Can you do that?

@lilymol i found this doctor that might be of help. She may, at least, be able to give you some names of doctors in your area.
https://www.centerformultisystemdisease.com/services/autoimmune-disease
Can you try calling her tomorrow?

Thanks for the reference.

Have you tried any of the smoking cessation classes?

I find the advice on GERD triggers on webmd to be very helpful. I drink hot tea (chamomile) after meals. I like some applesauce with my meal, seems to help also. Some of your meds, like prednisone, can cause constipation. Your Dr could give you Ducolax, Senna, daily metamucil or other remedy to help you with that. Also, taking a daily walk and drinking plenty of water, eating soluable fiber can help.

I just had my one year follow-up with my neurologist and rheumatologist at Mayo last week and fibromyalgia was a hot topic at both appointments. We were told that it is not classified as an autoimmune disease at this time. But, we were also told that they often see fibromyalgia in patients with multiple autoimmune diseases, such as myself and that there is a ton of research happening right now. The most difficult part for me is that there is not a test to determine if you have it or not, so diagnosis is just based on symptoms and after ruling out other health issues with similar symptoms. My rheumatologist sent me a link to an elearning on fibromyalgia, so we can get a better understanding of causes, triggers, treatment, etc. I’ll let you know how it goes!
The trip to Mayo was amazing once again…the facilities, doctors, nurses, as well as the techs who assisted in all of my testing. We were just as impressed as we were last year at my first visit!

@lilymol You have your doctor and he set up some appointments for tests for you. Have you had these tests before? I do know that someone will need to take you to both tests and then drive you home after. Be sure to discuss with that person what your symptoms have been and what you want to know. You’d like them with you whenever the doctor is explaining things. Two ears are better tan one!!
Does someone usually accompany you to doctor appointment?

Most of the time no unless I need a driver. However I like your suggestion to have someone listen when the doc is explaining. Yes I have had them before and I'm not looking forward to either one. Thanks for the suggestion.

@nana75165 How kind of your doctor to send you the link on fibromyalgia. And that you had a great experience at Mayo! Did you learn anything that you could pass on?
Do you think we could also have the link for this group? It would be so helpful!

@oregongirl I recently came across this posting of yours. Yes, it does hurt when people don’t believe you. So many diseases are ‘invisible’ and people don’t even know you’re sick. I have a hard time keeping going every day because i feel awful and tired, but no one knows it and i cant complain all the time. It, you know, you can always talk to us on Mayo Clinic Connect. Will you do that? I’d love to hear from you!