How about if you offer to buy a book on chronic pain, trigger points, etc and tell them you are going to try holistic approach?

i gave up on Dr's too. i don't even mention it to them..I'd just tell them need the muscle relaxer to sleep, etc.

I've honestly had better luck with the herb approach (melatonin, valerian for sleep) (ribose for energy) yoga class, etc and its a heck of a lot cheaper than another visit, another test and another round of scripts that end up in the trash...

I am not sure why they want you reevaluated, but maybe they have hopes that changing treatments would help make you feel better?

I am assuming you have been diagnosed with fibro. Are you satisfied with your current quality of life, and by that I mean, do you think you are managing your condition at a tolerable level? There is no cure, unfortunately, but I think in many situations we are at least, "functionable". If not, I would continue to look for a doctor that is knowledgeable and would help me to acheive that level.

There are times when we are in flare periods and do struggle. That is part of these syndromes--the best we can do is try to avoid them by keeping our stress levels low, our muscles in shape, avoid overexertion, and having our sleep issues addressed.

You can always say "no" to the tests....

Wow... I was in the middle of a reply and the server here kicked me out.

I felt the same way as you did for years. I went to the same doctor for 15 years, and didn't want to change. He renewed my prescriptions every year, checked my cholesteral, and I was happy with that. Then he retired and I had no choice but to go doctor shopping.

It was the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. You know what? They are doing a lot of research into FM nowadays, and have a lot more treatments available than they did 15 years ago. Thanks to the new doctor, I am feeling better than I've felt in 5 years, and am finally having some hope that I can begin to get my life back.

What can it hurt? You can always say no to the tests... (which is what I meant by the above post)... and you might find someone who can help you improve the quality of your life.

Fibro has no cure but can only be treated. This creates huge incentive for pharmaceutical companies. Money, money, money. I'd say give it a go if you can afford it. You might shut some people up for a while even if nothing else happens. I'm in the medical feild and things are changing very rapidly. Mark my words, in the next ten years medicine will change more than it has in 50( for the better)

My mother makes suggestions like that to me fairly often. I tend to think of it as an anxiety response to my continual struggles with my health. No parent wants to see their child (no matter what age) in this position. It is scary and frustrating for everyone.

Consider purchasing the book "Fibromyalgia for Dummies." Like all of the dummies series, it contains good information. Read it yourself and ask her to look at it too. Knowledge is power.

At this point, you simply have to reassure her and move on. Try not to take it personally. She means well. Take care.

I have found a whole-food organic diet, exercise (including yoga) and tweaking vitamin intake via supplements is the best way for me to control FM. Just a thought.

I NEED my docs, but not for my FM stuff. That said, it's worth a second evaluatoin simply b/c osmetimes test results are inconsistent, and they may want to see if they see anything new going on. My rheumy dx'd me right off but he did bloodwork 3 times to rule out other things, just to be safe. We gals especially seem to have variation in bloodwork, thanks to our hormones. (Grrr.)

Good luck!

Fibromyalgia is difficult...I have learned this the hard way. I have had similar issues with my husband. I finally had to break down and just tell him how I felt. That this is all so overwhelming for me, and sometimes the doctors visits, that end up nowhere, make it worse. I made sure and let him know that If I do feel that I NEED to go in that I will...

Communication is probably your best bet. I know that seems too vague and not very helpful...Wish I could give you more! Take care!

i am incredibly lucky to have found a remarkable rheumatologist . not only does he listen but he trusts me . the only test he does occasinally is to examine my eighteen points . he understands when i tell him i am immune to all narc . drugs and allows me to take anything i have heard of . he always has creative suggestions for dealing with the pain . additionally , he treats me for related hypoth. because my endocron . didn't listen to me when i told her that despite my normal blood tests after leveling out my synthroid she wouln't consider adding a small amount of cytomel just to get my symptoms under cotrol . he is now monitering my blood levels to make sure my levels stay within normal range . i think the reason he is so sympathetic is because he suffers from chronic pain also .because of advances in medicine i'm not sure i would give up on drs . entirely .

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for your suggestions and encouragment.
Ya'll are right: Communication w/parents is key.
Fantod, I'm definitely going to look into buying a book for my parents and I to read through.

Thanks again