[bkisis]

Hello everyone, I've posted here before but I'm still fairly new to this board. Well, I have been having symptoms of FM for quite some time now and was diagnosed with CFS a few years ago.To make a long story short, I have IBS, IC, Endo, CFS...and a few other things and my internist seems to think FM also and so do I. So she refers me to a rheumatologist (sp?) to speak to him since they are supposed to be more knowledgable in these things and she was mentioning maybe he can suggests some meds, pain and anti-depressants that can help both the FM and probably the IBS. I have already tried the basic meds amitryptiline (sp? horrible

) and nortriptyline (sp?) and proazc and they really didn't help for me so I was hoping this new doc would have some ideas. Well I see the doc and he asks me questions of some of my symptoms then tells me that we wants to check my joints (why?). So, he does all this (checking joints) but doesn't check any of the areas that I tell him I get the most pain at...like my back(upper and lower), neck and legs.Well in the end he just tells me that it's not RA, (I knew that !!!) and that he suggest I go to a pain management clinic. So then I ask him, is it FM?? B/c he doesn't mention anything about it. He tells me that since I don't have sleep disturbances but I have all the other symptoms...then I have an FM type of syndrome???? What?? I felt like he just kept going around he question.He then goes on to tell me that since the basics meds didn't help me and they usually do for FM sufferers then it makes him question it. But he says he doesn't doubt I have a chronic pain prob and I should go to a clinic where they could help me better with pain meds.....and he'll send a note to my internist.So now what? I'm more confused than before. I was hoping this doc would give me some answers or at least work with me with meds or something....I even asked him about acupuncture and he said, "yeah that could help too"....ok so why didn't YOU mention it doc?What kind of doc is this....he didn't even seem to know what endometriosis was or Interstitial Cystitis. So now I have an appointment to see my internist tomorrow and discuss the note he was supposed to send her and further treatment. Although I think she was expecting him to help me not just send me away.....I feel like I'm back where I started and still in pain with no meds or answers

Also I've heard that a lot of pain clinics aren't so great with dispensing meds...giving ppl hard times and treating them like addicts....? Anyone with any answers or suggestions would be appreciated I feel like I'm going no where and feeling depressed from other meds isn't helping either......feel so lost...... Thanx for listeningHoping everyone's having better days than me

 

[Mio]

I�m sorry to hear that you didnt get more answers...Been there too, and know how frustrating it is. Maybe you could talk with your internist again tell her about this. I think she should help you out to get another specialist in FM. I know some people who have been at pain clinics and they got very good treatment. Maybe you should give it a try? / Mio

 

[Feisty]

When you see your Internist tomorrow, make sure you tell her/him exactly what went on yesterday with the Rhuematologist. Sounds to me like the Rheumatologist is not familiar with Fibro at all and was trying to "beat around the bush", so to speak. Just because you've tried several "typical" meds and they didn't work for you, doesn't give the Doc the right to say it's not Fibro because they didn't work for you. Jeesh! Not everyone responds the same way to everything.I saw a new Doc the beginning of August and he suggested a Pain Clinic. The nurse called and gave them all the info, and the Pain Clinic said they would call me to set up something---that they work on a "need" basis. Well, I'm still waiting for the appointment! Never heard anything. So, I've decided I am not going to waste my breath on that one.

 

[tazesmom]

Fms is a syndrome!so how can it be like FMS?I have taken so many differnt meds and they don't work or they really bother my IBS,This doc sounds like all the idiots I have run into since moving to Renton Wa. I know just how every upsetting this is,I have left the doc in tears so manny times.I bet if that guy had to deal with your pain for one day he would be begging for help.Hang in there and don't give up!!

 

[M&M]

Well, I hope the doctors can find something to help you. I have no idea what your diagnosis should be, but we do need to remember that there are syndromes that are like FMS but aren't FMS. For just one example, Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Or MPS. I don't know the official ins and outs, but it is pain that presents similarly to the pain of FMS in a patient who perhaps doesn't meet the "Tender Points" criteria for FMS. Again, I hope you and your doctors can find something that works for you, whatever your diagnosis should be!

 

[bkisis]

Hey everyone, Thank you guys so much for your advice and opinions, it made me feel a lot better to know that I wasn't going nuts in thinking this doc was an idiot. So to update on me......I brought this thread with me to the docs (internist) office to show her how I felt and what happend with the rheumatologist she referred me too. I also wanted her to see the responses so she doesn't think I'm the nut (don't worry, I blackened out all names and numbers). She read the whole thing and seemed very sympathetic and understanding.She felt bad that he did nothing for me and of course the idiot doc never even sent her the note.....so she's realizing how he is. Thanx to all of you, I don't know if she would have taken me seriously if she hadn't read everything.So Basically, she's treating me as an FM patient, so I guess that's my diagnosis, but she still wants to see what the note the doc was supposed to send her is going to say. He didn't even touch any of my tender spots on my body so I don't know what relevance the note will have anyway.She said she doesn't want to send me to a pain clinic right away, she wanted me to try some other meds first and see how I do with them. Which is a good thing, cause I was hoping she would work with me a little too, before sending me there.So she gave me celexa 20mg (also to help with my depression) and vioxx...which I have tried in the past and it didn't sit well with me, but I was taking other meds at the time so I think it was the combo rather than the vioxx alone. So I agreed to give it another chance. She also wants me to keep a journal of all the pain and probs I have physically so she can better understand how I'm feeling. I'll be seeing her again in a month. So far the only thing that is getting to me is that the celexa makes me soo drowsy, yet anxious dazed and confused at times, zombie-like sometimes.....extreme lack of concentration and dry mouth.......the doc said these should go away in about a week (starting with 10mgs for a week then up to 20 next week).I took prozac in the past and remember the zombie-like part and lack of emotions.....but this one is more extreme than that time. I can't even paint my nails or pluck my eyebrows b/c it takes to much concentration and focus which I don't have!

Well, I hope I start feeling a little more normal and it helps a little...if not then it's off to a pain clinic. Take care everyone, thanx for the support, I'm hanging in there.....

 

[Susan Purry]

I'm glad your internist was helpful. Your rheumatologist sounds pretty useless; 'FM like syndrome!'

Do you think your internist can do the tender point test on you, or does she feel that a rheumatologist should do it?

 

[Feisty]

Thanks for checking back with us! And good for you---that you took these posts with you when you went to see your Doc.Hang in there while the new meds "equalize" in your system. Hopefully it won't be too long. I know I always reacted that way, too, when ever something new was tried.Good luck!

 

[M&M]

I love how you are taking charge of your health care! What a great, "can do" attitude! I wish you all the best as you go forward with treatment, and please do be sure to keep us posted!!

 

[Mio]

Good to hear that you got help from your internist!

Hope your meds will help you and as Susan said, maybe your internist can do a tender point test on you?Keep us posted!/Mio