i would see both. i already have been seeing both AND my PCM, and honestly, i get more support from my pcm and neuro than my rheumy. my rheumy is ok but my neuro seems to care more about the fibro and head aches than the others do. i don't think you have to pick just one, you can have multiple docs care for you.

just be careful that you find a doc that does CARE about you, not some asshole. you may have to "fire" a few before you find that. i'm on my 4th neurologist now. lol. but it was worth the search!

best of luck! hope find some really good care!

Wow, I am just the opposite of Bluesun. I saw a Neuro doctor and after several tests, I was told that they had done everything from their end. Yes, FM does have to do with nerves but I think it's more so directed towards the joints, muscles, etc, and all the symtpoms that will follow. I would definetly advise you to see a Rheumatologist but make sure that they treat FM. Many act like they have no idea what FM is...trust me, been there, done that. After going to the NEuro doctor, my EMG and Nerve test came back fine. It wasn't until after I saw the neuro first, then i went to see the rheum dr. U could always try ur hand with both, but i found better results with the rheummy than the neuro dr.
Hope this helps and Good luck to you!

thanks to both of you. I thought I was crazy arguing with the receptionist about why i wanted to see a neuro doctor. They are all such mean people at that office, she said 'all i could put on the refferal is that you have a "back ache" ' for the neurologist appointment i set up . They advised that a neurologist is the wrong person to see.

Either Dr. has the same access as to How to Treat FM...I am thinking it is Nerve based...yet how are they gonna treat it ? same as a Rhuemy would...with either meds like Lyrica or meds like cymbalta....hell why even See a specialist ?? a Nurse practitioner can prescribe these same meds..and as far as I know these and ones like them are pretty much all they prescribe right before they boot ya out the door..

Unless ur looking for further testing...which once you have been diagnosed is hard to get..

Personally I think the name should bee changed...but thats just me

I have it on good authority - the research doc on my board - that some time down the road fibro will definitely fall into the hands of neurologists - it's just not there yet.

You were on the right path - just ahead of schedule :) Fibro IS moving more and more toward looking like a CNS condition, which would clearly be neuro, but until someone does something definitive to make the change, it's still going to be with the rheumys.

I LOVE my PCP but I HATE the people who work for him. I've had them ask everything from "Do you NEED this medication?" (when I called for a refill) Um...no...I just don't have enough crap on my nightstand and I thought it would be decorative - WTF? to "Why are you seeing the doctor today?" and when I say Fibromyalgia they keep asking me WHAT HURTS! ROFL!!!

My doctor usually comes in chuckling over whatever they wrote down this time - he's known me for over 20 years and he knows how I talk so he knows when they're trying to write something THEY understand because they have NO idea what I said

Peace is correct. Right now you need a Rhuemy to diagnosis, but it is rare that they will treat.

If you travel the same road I did then you will probably end up with neurologist anyway for sleep study and for nerve tests when the nerve pain gets real bad.

But the neurologist isn't likely to prescribe anything more than Lyrica or Neurontin, although mine did also prescribe Lidocaine patches and a muscle relaxer when my TMJ head pain became severe.

You will probably just end up back with the PCP in the end.

My insurance doesn't cover a rheumy or neurologist. Primary has me on Elavil (25mg) and Naproxen (375 2 2x a day) He is great but I wondered am I really missing anything by not going to a specialist. I don't have an "official" sprecialist diagnosis. Why does it matter?
I just want to feel better

photochick I forgot to ask... and just what was the reasoning for making you give back the sample?

Angelina, they had me give the meds back because they said it had been over a year since I had seen the doc, but I was there in november of 08 and last I checked its still August.
The last time I spoke to her she said there was nothing else she could do for me. So I continue my journey for a "good" doctor.

When my X Dr. told me there was "nothing" he could do for me I told him he was right and never went back. I see a neurologist and a rhumey. U go girl ! Kick down the doors and barge in ! U go to whoever you need to get the relief and answers you need !

Some people see both...In your case I would start with a Rhuem first (according to your profile) and then go from there.

In my opinion, the easiest way to do things is to CALL first. Ask them how they generally... treat Fibro- chronic pain etc... if they cant give you the common courtesy to answer a simple question then I would MAYBE rule them out.

I think it is more finding a person who will truly listen to you and treat you not only medically but like the person you are. Regardless of inititals after their name or what the letter head says they are going to treat your symptoms, not the cause, with the same few standard meds approved & considered acceptable. I think if you can find a person who will listen to you when you say what's going on with your body, who truly cares if you are in pain and/or meds aren't working & is willing to work WITH you to find out what does help that is the "right" doc to see. I read on one of these boards that if you are getting brushed off, like having samples taken away etc. to try asking "Are you refusing to treat?" and see how those powerful words snap them around. Good luck.

Im not seeing a specialist for FM either. My GP gave me my diagnosis and my meds. I've known him for 35 years and trust him above all other doctors. I dont think Im missing out on anything either - like Angelina said - I just want to feel better. I dont think a specialist can do anything more for me than he can - I may be wrong and I may ask for a referral to a specialist from him if I find Im getting worse or the meds dont work as well in the future.