Finally Diagnosed
Written by grover722, published 5 months ago.
I was finally diagnosed with FMF on November 2010, at the age of 38. Since I was about 2 years old, I have had health issues. By the time I was about 14, I did not seem to be as sick, so doctors just thought whatever I had went away.
Over the years I always had severe health issues but I guess I just tried to ignore them until sometime in 2005. I started getting so sick that I couldn't ignore it anymore. They took my appendix out and that didn't help and I just kept getting admitted to the hospital with fever, pain and white counts. So finally they started putting through every test possible, including a full Oncology work up (which was not fun having a bone-marrow biopsy).
I was getting to the point of hating to even go to the doctor or God forbid having to go to an Emergency Room. I was ready to give up and just deem myself "crazy". I was seeing a new Oncologist that diagnosed me with "chronic pain syndrome"...REALLY? I was feeling devastated and not sure what else to do because at this point the doctors wanted to deem me disabled.
I went to what in my heart would be my last hope. I had one more doctor to see. Of all the doctors I had seen he was another gastro-intestinal doctor. So in my mind I knew he wasn't going to be able to help me. Within a few minutes of talking to him he was searching some stuff online, then I said something about how I was sick as a kid and he looked at me sharply and surprised.
Right away he pulled something up and said "I think you have FMF". I don't think I heard anything else after that because I was so excited. So he sent me on my way with my prescription for colchicine and said this will help with your flare ups. I don't think I took a breath the whole ride home because I was so excited and when I got home to tell my mom I couldn't remember what the doctor even said I had.
I have been on colchicine for just about a year and what a difference in overall life I have. I still have some pain here and there but nothing like ever before and usually only have flare ups when I skip a dose of medications or am extremely stressed out.
I am so grateful to be able to control my flare ups!!!!! I am disappointed in how little knowledge the health care community has about FMF and I work in health care.
Written by grover722, published 5 months ago.
2 comments for «Finally Diagnosed»
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Kelly,
I hope by now you have also found the fmf support group:
FMF Support mailing list:
fmf_support-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Please join us and find many new friends who understand exactly how you feel! Am so glad you finally found an answer.
Nancy
NancyS,
Thank you so much! I have not had time at this time but will try to very soon. I have had such a hectic schedule :-( but it is a great feeling to finally not feel like i am crazy smh. Plus with my low income I can get my meds for free so that helps too.