First Rheumy Visit Today....Please Read

459 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Susan Purry, Sep 12, 2002

DonnaDB

Discussion Starter · Sep 11, 2002

Well, I went to the Rheumy today for my first visit. He seemed nice enough and did all of the pressure point tests, very limited blood work and 1 X-ray of my hands. He said that I have Myofascial Pain Syndrome with Arthralgia. Isn't Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Fibro the same thing?? Also, he is VERY CONSERVATIVE in the medication department!! He prescribed some over the counter arthritis cream, Lidoderm Patches and Physical Therapy. Nothing for pain and/or muscle relaxation. I am supposed to go back in 6 weeks. Please give me some details about your visits and if you think that his treatment approach is adequate.

Donna

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Paige

· #2 · Sep 11, 2002

Hmm. Doesn't sound like he works with many fibro patients. Did you have positive reactions to the trigger points? In my vast experience of my doctor and the four that a friend went to they all prescribed Elavil and an anti-inflammatory on the first visit. I was already taking two different anti-depressants, but my rheumy made me try the Elavil anyway. It is the only anti-depressant, that I have seen anything on anyway, that has been successful in treating fibro. It didn't do anything for me and I have tried 4 different anti-inflammatories with limited success. Any other docs in town where you can get a second opinion?Paige

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DonnaDB

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 11, 2002

Paige,This doc was a "friend" of my GI doc. So, therefore, she made the referral for me to go to him. I had no previous info about his knowledge base with fibro!! Man I am so sick of spending money doctor hopping!!! How can I go about finding a doc that SPECIALIZES in fibro?? (without knowing anyone in my area that has it or is treated for it???)) Do you have any suggestions?? How did you find your doc? I live near Little Rock, Arkansas. Thanks for your reply!!

Donna

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weener

· #4 · Sep 11, 2002

Donna, the rheumatologist who diagnosed me was also conservative. He prescribed amitriptylene (10 mgs) to be taken every night and that was it. He didn't even tell me to come back. My internist was the most helpful, he prescribed flexeril and made follow-up appts. I guess you can always give these a try and if they don't work for you then I would ask the doctor for something else. The following site has a Good Doctor List. It's been posted on this board a few times and I like it and have bookmarked it. Scroll down and you'll see the heading "CFS/FM - Good Doctor List" on the left hand side. http://www.co-cure.org/index.htm

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Paige

· #5 · Sep 11, 2002

Donna,I really lucked out finding a doctor. I went to the one closest to my house that was listed on my insurance. He is an older doctor and is more thorough than any doctor I have ever been to. I go in at the minimum every 6 weeks, 3 months if I am doing okay and that has only happened once. He runs blood, urine and fecal blood tests everytime I walk in the door to make sure the meds are not creating more problems. If I hadn't been so lucky, and what I do when I am looking for other doctors is simply ask when I call for an appointment if the doctor sees a significant number of patients with whatever. ie. fibro, B12 deficiency...when I was looking for a neuro it was peripheral neuropathy and brain damage due to a B12 deficiency. I have a great neuro, a great rhuemy, a great urologist. My gastro doc is being fired and I am looking for a new internist. And I am lucky in that I have PPO insurance. I can self refer and change doctors when I want to. The co-pays are killing me.Paige

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Susan Purry

· #6 · Sep 12, 2002

Donna, here is some online information about Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Myofascial Pain--a Neuromuscular Disease: News in the World of Myofascial Pain http://www.sover.net/~devstar/myopain.htm Having Fibro & Myofascial Pain, including differences between the two: http://www.sover.net/~devstar/fmcdef.htm From what I have read, MFP and Fibro are not the same thing. However, there are some similarities in symptoms, and they can co-exist. Hope this helps?

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