Hello everyone! I have come back here after a while of inactivity for some advice. I've been working a swing shift job for the last 5 years mostly on my feet. About a year into it I was diagnosed with the Fibromyalgia. Previously I have seen at least 7 orthos, 2 rheumies, 4 or 5 different neurologists, including having been to TWO major medical centers with neurology/neuromuscular specialitiest. So basically I was glad to get some kind of diagnosis and treatment plan. That Rheumy treated me for 2 years, but what we have found is that I am very sensititive to many medications and ultimately could not take anything currently prescribed.

I have managed with supplements and giving myself as much break as possible. It has been difficult and a very painful journey. I am told that I have changed much over this time and am nothing like the person that I was. I guess not, that person worked out 6 days a week and thought she was Hades on wheels :). Now - not so much!

During this time my PCP has been fairly worthless. She wouldn't even give me a physical when I asked for one. I've been meaning to change practices, but I really only saw her to get some antibiotics the 2 xs a year I get sinus infections. About a year and half ago, her practice was taken over by someone else. He says there are almost no records for me from the last 5 years! So I gave him the info that I had and let it go. The last 3 times I have seen him he has told me to see an Orthopedist, that I just don't have Fibro (I went in for an ear infection, a sinus infection and bronchitis. Nothing Ortho related.) In February, my husband was injured. His injury has about a year recovery time. The night before his surgery, I twisted my knee. When by April it still wasn't better I went to my PCP for my knee and my opposite ankle had also started to swell. I saw another doctor in the practice because my usual wasn't available. This lady tells me they have No Record of ANY of my diagnosis, including one that I've had for over 20 years. Furthermore, she tells me my joints aren't swollen, that I just weigh X amount and that is why you can't see the bones.

So fast forward to last week. I now have 2 swollen ankles, a swollen knee, and a cough for the last 8 weeks. So I go back to the PCP. He starts pressing on me saying, "Look, you just don't have Fibro. Fibro patients burst into tears when I do that. NOW will you please see an Orthopedist?" He refers me to a spine specialist because I have "obvious back problems". So I call Ortho and their first question is, "Did they do any test?" The xrayed my knee. Receptionist says, "They x-rayed your knee and sent you to us for a back problem?" Yeah lady, that is about right.

I made the appointment but I cancelled it because I am just not sure what to do. My Mom recently retired and she came up and stayed for a week because it hurts so bad for me to drive. But she had to go home at the end of last week. She also left becuase she wants to force me to make a decision to get care, as she says, "Fibro isn't real. You have a REAL problem and need to see someone. All these years in pain and maybe they could have done something if you'd seen a REAL doctor."The week of essentially sitting on my backside helped, but the swelling went right back as soon as I stood up for any length of time. I don't know if I should just set a new patient appointment and start all over?Try more rest? Set another ortho appointment? Meanwhile, I am having about 6 anxiety (I think) attacks a day and am scared to leave the house. Suggestions?