Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
I was told to post this here, and might have a better chance with advice.. Thanks
Hello all my fibro friends,
I am currently seeing my primary care doctor at the VA to treat my fibro. I am using the VA right now because there is no cost. The problem I am running into is the VA protocol on pain management and treatment for fibro. When I was first diagnosed in 2010, I saw the rheumatologist at the VA in Columbus, OH. She told me to take tylonol and exercise. I immediately knew it was a waste of time, and told her if all I had to do was take tylonol, then I wouldn't have made this appointment. Also, I asked her why she was basically telling me to kill myself while using tylonol for non-inflammatory chronic pain until my liver and kidneys give out. I then asked her if she received her phd on the wall from a cracker jack box and stormed out of her office frustrated as many other vets do. So now I live in Alabama, I have been to civilian pain management, could no longer afford it, and had to resort back to the VA. (Different VA, much better doctors) I believe I have the best doctor at this VA, but he does not get many younger fibro or chronic patients. I know people with the gulf war illness are climbing in numbers and I do qualify for a claim, but right now I want to get my fibro under control. The question I have is knowing the VA protocol for treating fibro does not really treat it, (a few loratabs a day) no type of physical therapy is offered, and those 3 tabs a day work most of the time until a flare up comes and I'm in excrutiating pain. My doctor says I am maxed out as far as pain meds go. When I had civilian pain doctor, they explained what breakthrough pain was and then the extendended pain treatment. Along with hydrotherapy and much more resources than the VA can give. I need some advice on switching back to a civilian pain doctor, with medicare, I know it will cost me an arm and a leg, but at least I will be able to improve my quality of life, and spend more time with my children. Any advice will be helpful, thanks.
Hello all my fibro friends,
I am currently seeing my primary care doctor at the VA to treat my fibro. I am using the VA right now because there is no cost. The problem I am running into is the VA protocol on pain management and treatment for fibro. When I was first diagnosed in 2010, I saw the rheumatologist at the VA in Columbus, OH. She told me to take tylonol and exercise. I immediately knew it was a waste of time, and told her if all I had to do was take tylonol, then I wouldn't have made this appointment. Also, I asked her why she was basically telling me to kill myself while using tylonol for non-inflammatory chronic pain until my liver and kidneys give out. I then asked her if she received her phd on the wall from a cracker jack box and stormed out of her office frustrated as many other vets do. So now I live in Alabama, I have been to civilian pain management, could no longer afford it, and had to resort back to the VA. (Different VA, much better doctors) I believe I have the best doctor at this VA, but he does not get many younger fibro or chronic patients. I know people with the gulf war illness are climbing in numbers and I do qualify for a claim, but right now I want to get my fibro under control. The question I have is knowing the VA protocol for treating fibro does not really treat it, (a few loratabs a day) no type of physical therapy is offered, and those 3 tabs a day work most of the time until a flare up comes and I'm in excrutiating pain. My doctor says I am maxed out as far as pain meds go. When I had civilian pain doctor, they explained what breakthrough pain was and then the extendended pain treatment. Along with hydrotherapy and much more resources than the VA can give. I need some advice on switching back to a civilian pain doctor, with medicare, I know it will cost me an arm and a leg, but at least I will be able to improve my quality of life, and spend more time with my children. Any advice will be helpful, thanks.
By posting under advice your post will only come up a member first clicks on Chronic Pain, then it will drop off into the advice column. So for more responses just put your questions in the general category.
Fibro is normally treated with one of 3 medications. Savella is the newest, Cymbalta and Lyrica in the beginning. From what I understand. My doctor recommended Hatha Yoga because it does not stress the joints. I did Tai Chi until the last 2 car wrecks caused damage that I am still trying to recover from.
Civilian doctors who specialize in Fibro will be your best choice, if you have any in your area. Are you on disability? Is that why you are using Medicare? I would start calling the doctors in your area and ask their experience with fibro and start there. My daughter is your age and was able to get Humana as a Medicare supplement. With that they pay for her membership to a fitness center. She could have gone to the YMCA where the could have worked out at a pool. She is within the lower income, so her out of pocket is not too bad.
Hope others have more information for you. Again welcome I am sure you will find a lot of support here. There is also a FIBRO board that my have additional information for you. Wishing you well.
-Rebecca
I don't have medicare so all I could even remotely suggest was trying to call and find out if they have any doctors that specialize in fibro covered that take medicare. Maybe starting with a list of docs that would end up being less of an out of pocket expense would help. I have insurance through work and, while it isn't the best, my orthopaedic surgeon (and the Cleveland Clinic) is a preferred provider so I got lucky and have not had near the out of pocket expense as I would have otherwise (so far in the tens of thousands in treatment costs and I've paid about 1%).
Also, like Rebecca mentioned...a local YMCA or recreation center can offer a pool for cheaper than aqua and/or regular "land" physical therapy...I don't have fibro but aqua therapy worked well for me.
Sorry I don't have much more advice than that but I mostly wanted to comiserate with your experience with the VA. It is a horribly BROKEN system and I wish they could get their act together so vets don't have to go through this nonsense just for treatment. I work in contracting so I see what is spent on stuff...it boggles my mind and infuriates me.
I really hope you get some relief...I know how awful constant pain feels.
(((HUGS)))
~Michelle