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.
I get a little irritated with doctors that do not yet know me or my medical history well that insist I can simply stop taking my medication (Lexapro). I am 34 and have spent a long time on my own, and in therapy, coming to terms with that the fact that it is OKAY to be "one of those people" that truly needs to be medicated in order to function. I have tried living without meds a few times before and went about it the right way with the help of doctors, psychiatrists and/or psychologists. Guess what it never went well! On top of it, I have fibromyalgia and other autoimmune issues that flare up terribly without some sort of SSRI or similar serotonin releasing/reuptake inhibiting drug w/o these my pain gets more unbearable. (This is not unusual for people with these conditions.)
I went to a new doctor today and he insisted I should work to get off the Lexapro and that I would "be surprised" at how well I could do without "depending" on it. He says nobody really needs these types of drugs. So, I guess he, the doc that works in the tiny town I moved to a few months ago, knows more than the team of docs, including a PCP, rheumatologist, psychiatrist & psychologist, that coordinated together to develop my overall treatment plan? (My treatment plan DOES include more than Lexapro, which I tried to explain, but I don't think he got it.) Whatever
Anyway, I just had to vent (sorry for the long rant). I haven't gotten that "you think I'm nuts and don't understand what it is like to live in constant pain" feeling from seeing a doc in a long time and this just took me back to a time when I couldn't get a soul to listen to me long enough to figure out what was wrong with me.
I'm guessing I'm not alone in this type of experience. Anybody else care to share their doc/patient frustrations?
I went to a new doctor today and he insisted I should work to get off the Lexapro and that I would "be surprised" at how well I could do without "depending" on it. He says nobody really needs these types of drugs. So, I guess he, the doc that works in the tiny town I moved to a few months ago, knows more than the team of docs, including a PCP, rheumatologist, psychiatrist & psychologist, that coordinated together to develop my overall treatment plan? (My treatment plan DOES include more than Lexapro, which I tried to explain, but I don't think he got it.) Whatever
Anyway, I just had to vent (sorry for the long rant). I haven't gotten that "you think I'm nuts and don't understand what it is like to live in constant pain" feeling from seeing a doc in a long time and this just took me back to a time when I couldn't get a soul to listen to me long enough to figure out what was wrong with me.
I'm guessing I'm not alone in this type of experience. Anybody else care to share their doc/patient frustrations?
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
I say find a rheumo or neuro in your area.
I am going to change doctors I just haven't gotten around to doing it.
I have a wonderful Dr...he gets just as frustrated as I do,it actually makes him feel bad that he really cannot help me....alot of Dr.s do not do research......just apply the research...so all they know is what they are told...so tell him something NEW....and do not accept being treated with ANY type of disrespect....you deserve to be as pain free as you can be...
And I think you are right - this doc today either knows nothing of fibro or still thinks its juts a farce (or both).
Hope you get relief soon, warm thoughts hugs Owlxx
My PCP says that 1/3 of his patients have fibro, so I'm thinking this would be a great fit. Well, not so much... First, he doesn't seem open to any ideas that do not come from him. I go to my appt's w/ a list (thanks in part to all the great advice on DS) and have asked about acupuncture, allergy testing (I have food, environmental and chemical allergies...including aspirin and ibuprofen) and physical therapy. In response to the request for allergy testing, he told me that my allergies were environmental and you can't change the environment so why bother. He also nixed physical therapy b/c he doesn't believe it is helpful for fibro. In addition, he keeps pushing Lyrica even though I told him I have trouble with side effects and more importantly, I don't think it's working for me.
On top of all that, he has made several incredibly inappropriate remarks. For example, he asked my marital status. When I said I am divorced, he then asked whether I was dating. When I replied no, he asked why not b/c a woman like me should have no trouble finding a man. Nice sentiment, wrong setting...and so untrue (which is another story). The last time I went, I was in a really bad flare. He examined me and then squeezed a trigger point to illustrate his point. When I reacted, he said "I'm sorry, but you're just so squeezable"
I too apologize for the long rant, but it's just so frustrating and I really don't have the energy to look for another dr. right now.
On another note I've heard mixed things about PT but I can tell you it helped me. PT helped me learn and practice certain postures and positions that don't favor my fibro pain and don't cause even MORE discomfort. For a long while, I was walking incorrectly as an unconscious response to my pain; I was favoring the pain in my hips and knees. I was getting to a point where I could barley walk and was worried that I was heading twd needing a cane or walker. So, PT saved me from that. (I should note that the therapist was very familiar with fibro that probably helped!) Anyway, take that for whatever it's worth!
Nerdygirl, I hope you are able to figure out a solution to your problem. It must be tough being somewhere with so little options. hugs
Nerdy: I know what you mean, the doctor in my little town flat told me there's no such thing as fibro, see a phy dr, exercise, take otc pain med "in case you have a touch of arthritis". Have to go to a different town now, but it's worth it
I recently gave up my doc of 5yrs because I told him that the vicodin ES was no longer effective and needed something stronger that I wouldnt have to double up on to get relief. He said I was an addict and that he had thought so for years. Now, if that is true, was he my dealer? Why did he keep giving them to me? Anyway, so I went to a new doc and she wants my records and I am terrified to get them and see what he wrote. No telling what she will think and then I won't get any help from her. I was in a car accident 2 wks. ago and she wouldn't call anything in. She said she wasn't comfortable with that until she had my records. Feels like blackmail to me.
for whatever it is worth. A good ranting never hurt anyone...mostly helps. It is such a shame so many people have to go thru this..i am not thrilled with the doc i have now but i am so tired of trying to find THE doctor who is going to listen to me and truly understand that this is REAL...good luck to you..hugs
MSVEE...i am an LPN who is on disability..REPORT HIM REPORT HIM REPORT HIM...That was soo inappropriate.. DO NOT THINK TWICE REPORT HIM!!!! PLEASE...find another doctor ..please hun this is serious.