Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

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debbied1009 03/04/2009

I dropped my Internist around ten years ago, and just stuck with my specialists....All the co-pays were just too much so I let him go....I realize now that I really need an Internist to put all the puzzle pieces together...I got copies of my recent blood work-ups from my Endo and Hemotologist...I have so many health problems, so I'm wondering how much I should throw at this new Internist on the "first visit"?????

Should I tell him everything, from Rare Blood Disorder and go all the way down the list to the end with hypoglycemia?...Or should I just tell him my major health issues to begin with, so he can make some sense out of everything, or does he need every to know every issue I have???

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hugs, Debbie

bluesun 03/04/2009

ya, i would tell him everything. get all your moneys worth out a the guy... best of luck to you!

deleted_user 03/04/2009

In order to treat you properly, he will need your WHOLE history...not just bits and pieces. I have a lifetime of birth defects and resulting health issues so just getting through my history takes a while. If he is going to shy away from you because of all your medical issues, then you should look for another doctor,

My personal opinion, only......

Gentle hugs...

CajunTiger 03/04/2009

I agree with the others....tell him everything, and let him work his way through. I think they need to know all for a complete picture.

HUGS and good luck!

debbied1009 03/04/2009

Thanks, you guys are great....I appreciate your help......Years ago, I would have not have hesitated to just lay all my cards on the table and LET the new internist at it....but now I was second guessing myself 'cause of all the bad Dr experiences that I have had in the last number of years.

But I'm gonna take your advice Blue, Basket, and Cajun and tell him everything...I hope he gets a good nite's sleep tonite so he's bright eyed and bushy tailed for me tomorrow. LOL

deleted_user 03/04/2009

Just be truthful. Its always the best bet!

deleted_user 03/04/2009

Okay I am having a 'duh-moment' but an internist is your primary doctor right? If so, I did not know that you can dump your primary doctor and keep specialists. That is interesting. Does it actually save money and how if you never see them? I never see mine because she is utterly useless and quite ignorant. Hope your new one works out for ya!

deleted_user 03/04/2009

Jellybean I think it depends on your insurance and the doctors. My mom before she passed away saw an internest and she also had a heart doctor. Her heart doctor started taking on some patients as a pcp so she dropped her internest because she was seeing her heart doctor on a regular basis. It didn't have anything to do with her internest she was a good doctor it was just easier for my mom to see her heart doctor as her pcp.

debbied1009 I would let the new doctor know everything. Your not going to get the best out of him if he doesn't know the whole picture. Who knows maybe he will come up with something that works that none of the other doctors looked at because he will be able to see the whole picture.

Good Luck.

Hugs

debbied1009 03/04/2009

Thanks for all your advise...Yes, Jellybean, as MaryCa said it depends on Insurance, and in my case it is not necessary to have a PCP (or internist, they're the same, right?),

I had fully intended to tell him all my health problems eventually....But I was just fearful that if I told him everything at once he would get overwhelmed......The last thing I want to do is confuse another dr. But still I'm going to take your advice and tell him everything all at once..I'm actually going to write a list....on a very long piece of paper...LOL

Hugs, Debbie

deleted_user 03/04/2009

I think I would give in writing ALL of your history including a list of all meds with times and dose and all specialists by condition and their findings/last visit. Nice and organized from computer.
Then I would tell him/her what your main concerns are. A few you want to start with. Then let him decide how to approach it. That's what he's trained to do.
Good luck with your new guy. I have to wait until May (since Jan.) to get into my new guy. I hope it's worth the wait.

deleted_user 03/04/2009

I keep a running spread sheet of my health history - year by year - and a list of my meds, updated whenever I go see a new doc.

I just hand it over and shut up until they ask questions.

debbied1009 03/05/2009

Had my new Internist appt. today......Thank you for all your great advise.....I typed up all my med. info. and handed the dr a copy...If I hadn't have done that I would have been forgetful and confused.

Turns out that I am to start Iron by IV, because he actually read the blood work I had done a few weeks ago by another dr....I am very deffient (sp)...He said I will start to feel better and some energy.

His tech did Heart tests with all the wires...Two different machines...Says he thinks I may have heart problems...and wants me to see a Cardiologist. I'm a little worried about this.

He said I have high blood pressure and has started me on Coreg CR......He doesn't like the results of my thyroid tests that I also brought with me...

He actually stayed with me for 1-1/2 hours, I was shocked....He was so intense....He said he is going to study all my info and put the pieces together...He was surprised at the amount of med problems I have....Tues morn. I go in to for bloodwork after fasting. He said it was the right way to do this.

I haven't had a dr that was this thorough with me in 20 years...Now I'm exhausted....LOL....Long, Long, week!

Thanks again for being there for me you guys.

Hugs, Debbie

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