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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bluesun 05/11/2010

went to see my new GI doc since my last one kicked me out of her office when i told her i changed my diet to try and reduce my stomach pains. the old doc said what i did wasn't FDA approved and shit like that.

anyways...
so this new doc and i are talkin about how long i've had ibs and i tell him since 2001 or 2002 somethin like that. i just know that i got it in the military. next thing he asks me is if i have had any sexual trauma???? waa....?
i was confused...... what's THAT got to do with IBS?

i told him that one person's theory was that i was sick every since i was exposed to the Pentagon's smoke.
he disagrees and strongly suggests that IF i have had any sexual harassment, trauma, or pressure while i was serving in the military, THAT is probably why i have IBS.

i told him that almost every female in the military gets harassed while serving. it's normal. so yeah, i got harassed my whole service! he said my ibs can't be fixed till i see a psychiatrist and that i should put a claim in with the VA for compensation for PTSD.

i told him i'm still fighting the VA for compensation for Fibromyalgia for 5 yrs! "well.... that's all connected to this problem...." he said.

so now i'm getting referred to psych..... huh????

deleted_user 05/11/2010

shaking head...
I saw a Rhumey for new symps eyes and mouth issues, i have an Autoimmune disease now...he told me i just needed to see a shrink then all would be well?..huh? is right..just ridiculous...we all know with FM we become sensitive to foods and chemicals...yeah i get the craps when i am nervous about something ,, but constant bowel issues are not your brain..just my thoughts....i feel for you..

Pollybizz 05/11/2010

Blue, my husband was in vietnam, two tours. He's 40% deaf from the artillery, walks with a limp that they won't take the blame for. when he went for his disability, they kept at the PTSD. He could have gotten it if he pushed the PTSD! he refused on that score, he's concerned about the limp.

Now he's diabetic and that turns out to be automatic disability due to agent orange. you go girl!! get it any way you can. I have to say the VA has been good as far as his meds go but since he has private coverage he usually goes to family MD but they are always offering. So go for it!

deleted_user 05/12/2010

I've heard that the military is very eager to diagnosis vets with PTSD. I even saw an article about a poor soldier who was subjected to 'enhanced interrogation techniques' i.e. torture to get him to admit an injury due to mental illness so the government wouldn't have to pay disability--think the article was originally on the Huffington Post. Anyway, I'd be very careful about letting them con you into believing your problems are all pyschological.

bluesun 05/12/2010

that's what i was thinkin! like they are tryin to get out of treatin me and compensating me for the REAL problems

deleted_user 05/12/2010

I got was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Fibromyalgia a few weeks after my work related injury. Recently, I was recently referred for a Psychiatric Consult. My primary doctor told me it was necessary, because of all the pain,stress, depression, fatigue, anxiety, lack of sleep and I guess partly to get some other help in dealing with this lifelong condition. It took two appointments and multiple of hours to complete the paperwork. I was given some new medication as well, but am currently waiting to receive them in the mail. Next week, I have my first therapy session along with Bio Feed back training, which I think it is ways to cope with stress. As we all know stress can increase our pain levels, so it's important to find ways to help eliminate or reduce stress. I think speaking with a trained professional in person at a therapy session, who understands what you are going through can be of help to you in addition to this support group, which I just joined.

bluesun 05/12/2010

i've done biofeedback.... it was pretty good! i liked it! i did it for pain management and anger management. i also took a c.o.p.e. class which is basically a class on how your brain and body works with pain and stress. it's helps you understand things better (for ex: the gland in your brain that processes stress is the same gland that processes pain. therefore, our bodies have a tendency to feel more pain when we are under more stress.)
i also took a 13 week class in anger management and graduated. both of the psychologists there didn't even know why i was there...lol

i've also been evaluated by SEVERAL psychiatrists (including a FULL eval) in '07and they couldn't find much wrong with me at all other than "patient is psychologically stressed" ...whatever that means.
so i don't know what referring me back to psych is going to do.... i just feel like they are passing the buck again. i HATE that and i'm sick of it!!
i did ask for a referral to a nutritionist, tho', and he at least gave me that. gee......

i also told the guy, that i'll be back in a month and i'm coming to see HIM. he better be ready for answers if nothing comes out of it!

deleted_user 05/12/2010

I've got a question. Has anyone had problems getting their psychiatrist to agree to Fibro? Mine said "borderline agoraphobic, PTSD, & chronically depressed (dysthemia). But NOTHING about the Fibro!

deleted_user 05/12/2010

Oh and the couple of times I tried to bring it up, it's like he ignored what I had to say. Just wondering if anyone else had this kind of experience?

deleted_user 05/12/2010

Sam55

I will let you know what happens at my first scheduled appointment next week to see if they bring up fibro. If not, I will bring it up and see what kind of response I get. The reason I'm going is because my primary doctor says it's due to my fibro, but let's see what happens.

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