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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WashingtonMom 01/21/2013

Hi everyone! I wrote last week about a bad appt with my doctor. She does not listen to me and does not know much about fibro.

I am currently given 1 vicodin a day (1/2 at 2pm and 1/2 at 7pm). She ordered a liver test and a drug urine test. I did that around 1pm last friday. She wrote me this morning to tell me she got the results back and the liver test was normal and it showed no vicodin in my urine. I am sure this is because my last 1/2 a pill was the night before at 6:30pm. Anyway, she has decided I must not need them and I should start coming off of them and just follow a healthy diet and exercise. I am livid!

I told her that I take my first 1/2 at 2 PM and the other at night. I do not know if I should write her back and complain about her suggestion or wait and say something to my Rheumy doctor tomorrow. I eat healthy and exercise at least a 1/2 an hour a day besides constantly doing things around the house and when I leave the house.

I am so upset that my only pain relief will be taken away. If I could I would have asked for another 1/2 to take in the morning so I am not suffering all morning long, but that seems impossible with this doctor. Should I confront her or just ask my Rheumy doc tomorrow??

deleted_user 01/21/2013

I would ask your Rheumy doctor and then ask him/her to recommend a new general practitioner who is empathetic to patients with fibro. I am sorry you got a doctor that is being such a jerk. Hang in there, there are others out there that understand you may just have to research to find one. Take care.

deleted_user 01/21/2013

I would find another doctor ASAP. Unless you have a history of substance abuse her attitude is ignorant regarding both a fibro patient's need for pain control, and her understanding about fibro itself.

She should be working with you to manage your symptoms, not undermining you efforts to function.

deleted_user 01/21/2013

Hi ,
I agree you need a doctor who is knowledgable about your fibro and any other problems. Taking away med's doesn't work. I would ask your other doctor to help. I don't know the system down their can you just stay with you Rheumy doctor. Hope this helps isabee

OutsideSmile 01/21/2013

Every pain patient's worst nightmare.:o( Sounds like she needs to be fired and you need to find a dr who not only treats fibro patients, but who actually BELIEVES in fibro. As we all know too well, there's plenty of drs who treat an illness they don't even believe exists. And that is very very sad.

I would ask your rheumy. Also , I asked my rheumy if he knew of any good neurologists who not only treat, but believe in it, and he said, "Unfortunately, not too many. And the ones I do know of- I wasn't all that impressed with." That's also very sad to come from a doctor.

If you decide to try another dr, maybe they would be more willing to help you out with adjusting your pain meds so you aren't suffering all morning until it's time to take it.

Good luck and I hope you get it all worked out so you get some relief!! :o)

fibrolizzy 01/21/2013

I agree with the others. It's pretty bad that you are reduced to choosing the few hours of the day to have some relief, and then for her to take even that away.....!!!

Talk to your rheumy and see what he says. You've got to have somebody on your side. Let us know how it goes, ok?

deleted_user 01/21/2013

Get a new doctor............... Ask your Rheumy what he thinks and if he will recommend a GP to you.
Are you taking any other medication for your pain control like Cymbalda? I take Cymbalda and it has help control my pain a lot. I don't have to take RX pain medication except when I over do it are have a flare. I just have pain medication on hand when I really need it.
Good Luck.

marsharebel 01/21/2013

I wonder if this doctor has been reading all the recent publications about how opiods don't help with fibro pain (????)? My doctor 'took' my vidocin away after reading this stuff, even though every report said that more research was necessary before making big changes in people's medications. Apparently, that part of the story didn't make it into the main stream. I'm disgusted by all of this. My pain was never gone and now it's worse, all because of someone's half-attention to the details of the research. I'm disgusted at this point and too tired to argue with the guy any more. I guess they'll just let us all fade away, never to be heard from again. I sure hope they are happy.

deleted_user 01/21/2013

I wanted to encourage you. I was reading an article called " dos and don'ts of living with fibromyalgia" anyway no 12 is don't listen to negativity.....and then it states " that includes unsupportive doctrs. There is no room in your life for a physician, friend, or co-worker who thinks that fibromyalgia syndromeis all in your head."
I just wanted to let you know you deserve to have a doc that cares about you

OutsideSmile 01/21/2013

Slk~ Would you mind posting a link for that article? I would be interested in reading it. :o)

deleted_user 01/21/2013

http://www.lifescript.com/health/centers/fibromyalgia.aspx

here you go.

WashingtonMom 01/21/2013

Thank you everyone for your help! I did write my doctor (there is an email system we use to communicate back and forth) and I explained that I do follow a healthy diet, take a fist full of vitamins and exercise EVERYDAY. She never wrote me back. I am hoping my Rheumy doc will help tomorrow. I am definitely going to ask for a new regular doctor because I know my Rheumy doc will send me back to them for my meds. I will let everyone know how it goes. Thanks again!

OutsideSmile 01/21/2013

Slk~ Thanks so much for the link. I'm going to check that out.

Washing~ Best of luck tomorrow! :o)

fibrosucks 01/22/2013

One Vicodin a day? OMG, I wouldn't be able to move if that was all I could take. Time for a new doc honey, this one is not a fibro doc.

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