I am so sorry you had such a discouraging doctor's visit. I know sometimes doctors just don't know how to help people deal with Fibro, but if they could at least encourage us that would make such a difference.

The nice thing about this site, I am learning, is that even though we aren't doctors, we can offer each other a lot of hope.

Wishing you a happy New Year's Eve and hoping you are able to enjoy the positive things now, even if they are little.

I'm disappointed every time I go too. Appointment days are always very hard on me. A lot of emotion goes into them. You know you are going to the doctor b/c there is something terribly wrong with you, and then we are treated like we aren't a big deal and we should just pop a pill and forget about it. I cry before I go and after. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I dunno but it seems to me that if you want feedback sometimes you have to ask. Not all doctors are chatty. If you have concerns or questions speak up. In this busy world where medical professionals are frequently overwhelmed, you have to be your own best advocate and speak up. Take care.

I think I asked him too many questions! I don't let things get by me but today... nothing. And this is a good doctor. I've gone to him for years, but not on a regular basis.

By the way, do you guys know where your tendons are located? I know we have tons of them, but I don't know the difference between a tendon and a muscle or a pineapple. Not up on my anatomy.

Yep... my blood pressure is always thru the roof when I go to any doctor. I'm really tempted to send him a message and see what was going on today. I really don't want to criticize him since he's always been so helpful in the past. But... there are other rheumatologists!

i saw the Rheumatologist one time, I think I told you guys Im on medicaid and the specialist was a one time referral apparently.) She looked at the way I stand, touched a few places on my shoulders and back and then asked if I had ever had physical therapy, I told her I had been told that it would make me hurt worse and I couldn't risk that because at the time I was working a job 2 days a week that was already so taxing it took me all week to recover. She aid she had no other option for me unless I wanted to go to pain managment and that due to the distance I have to drive I should try to find a family practice Dr who might work with me near my home, since I do not have a car or driver , i have to set trips up to go more than walking distance. I was disappointed by the whole experience. I asked her what she thought the issue was and about some of the symptoms I thought might be related, such as depression and GERD ..she said "we will call it fibromyalgia" and I asked if she wanted to test for that, she said no I want you to try physical therapy. I left her office and threw up for almost two days because I have such high dr visit anxiety and I feel like I failed at what i went to get from her. I know I wanted more clarification, not to be sent somewhere else. I want someone to do SOMETHING..test something..I know theres test they can do. But everyone just pushes me away to a new person. They want to send me to pain management get me on vicodin and get me out of thier faces, from how I take it. I dont care about that..I want to know if my skin rash and TMJ are from fibro or lupus or im just falling apart with ulcers and tumors and oozing rashes and muscle cramps and twitching nerves yes ? :..you know? sorry I am not trying to talk so much. Wow I am shocked I am so open here ...*shy now* i think im glad I found people who would understand and im still kinda angryat the fibro for existing

IrishAngel81 I understand you completely. I have MS and EVERY doctor wants to blame EVERYTHING on the MS. It always comes back around to it.

I'm all in favor of testing. Dig until you find the answers.

I had a very similar experience this week. Traveled 3 1/2 hours each day to be told I have complex migraines and that is causing all my neuropathy. She said that I think are sinus headaches are really migraines. Well, I beg to differ on that.

I'm sorry you had this experience. I agree we have to advocate for ourselves, but I was just completely dumbfounded. My daughter was with me and next time I think I need someone a little more vocal.

Good luck.

I usually take a "witness" with me to all appointments because I don't remember everything the doctors tell me. But this time I just didn't have anyone. I am still astounded at the way this doctor left me in the dark with no suggestions or further tests. He's usually very good. I'm hoping to get a written report that will explain the visit.

I have a friend who is a doctor and she is so disgusted with the medical profession. She is totally honest with me when we talk and I trust her completely. But, like me, she has MS and had to retire.