Sorry you're going through this. I can relate to this in a big way! I'm in a very small town and the pickings are limited. Finally I made the big break and went to the big doctor an hour away. It was worth it. From her I got referrals that helped me in other ways.

The only thing wrong with it was me asking myself why I didn't go sooner.

Make that call and get the care you need. It might be trial and error, but will be worth it in the end.

Good luck

There are very few drs that belive in it and it sucks. I had a ruemy and she quit so now i have to go to nero dr i hope he understands its frustating for us all

Dunno where you're gonna go, but I grew up within half an hour or so of you (NW PA) and yeah, slim pickings for docs in a lot of places!!! Do what you have to to get through to a big city doc who knows this nasty disease. It's worth it. I used to drive 5 hours to see my rheumy!

Good luck!

Yes it does sound like you are playing the old "ring around" game. When I first became I'll I lived in a small city. I didn't take the Dr or me very long to see they just couldn't help me. They referred me to a specialist five hours away. She was a great Dr and well worth the trip. I soon found that people from all over the u.s. would fly to see her. I have since moved to a much larger city with another excellent Dr within minutes of my home. This has greatly helped me and my quality of life is so much better. He also has people from across the u.s. that fly in for appointments. I am just so thankful that I now live close to my Dr. I know that it is not always possible for people to travel or fly to see a Dr. I wish everyone could have access to the Dr that are excellent.

So tired of doctors that its just awful. LISA

Yes I agree with others who say to try to see a specialist. I have driven far and flown to see fibro specialists. It is worth it! Plus, if you have a good family doctor who really cares they welcome the information from the specialist and can then continue with the recommendations.

I would change your psych doctor for sure. Why would you go to someone who doesn't believe FM is real? They will just lay a guilt trip on you.

Unfortunately, some doctors are just Neanderthals, whom don't continue their education and remain stuck in the dark ages. There were many illnesses dismissed in the past such as: multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, epilepsy, and ulcers; just to name a few. Other doctors, whom do believe it exists, feel that a fibro patient cannot be handled in a quick visit and do not want to put forth the energy needed to help them; therefore, they pass the buck.

Do yourself a huge favor and find a good medical doctor that treats fibromyalgia. Call and interview over the phone before settling on a doctor. You will probably have to travel, but a good fibro doctor is priceless. Best Wishes!

Same thing I went through for several years with my primary care doc, before I finally changed doctors and my new dr believes in fibromyalgia as a real illness and knew who to refer me to for treatment. I now have a wonderful rheumatologist, although he is difficult to get into, and a great neurologist, as well as a pain management doc who works with fibromyalgia patients to try to avoid narcotic medications, and has a therapy program to help with coping methods. Of course, all of these resources are in a large city, not a small town. I hope you can find someone to help you, even if you have to drive!

Lisa

Hi...

I'm going to post here... even though I hardly have any response... but here goes. Wild card, I am, my suggestion would be (if you can) to move. Sounds like you need a group of Doctors who have a real education. I can't believe, in this year, there are doctors who don't believe in certain illnesses because they can't be quantified on paper. :::exasperated sigh:::

If you can, you might want to consider moving. If you can't, try an online physician??

Best
Here's hoping for less pain for us all!
XOXO

If they can see it on an x Ray or do surgery or treat it with a pill, most docs.don't believe it exists. I went to four different docs with the same blood work and was told its in your head, you are crazy, you are making it up, or we can't find anything wrong before the fourth doc finally said your cpk is too high, your wbc is too high, the rash on your face isn't rosacea and o think you may have lupus in addition to or in place of fibro and ms. This from so called specialists.
I had actually been going to.the big teaching hospital 30 minutes from home. I saw a rheumy 5 minutes from home and finally started getting someone to listen to me.
Only advice I can give is fire them and get a be team of docs that will treat you and listen to you. You are your best and only advocate. You only get one body and you can't replace it.

Ugh, most of us know this stress. Finding a good doc can be so hard... Like meds, it's trial and error. GL!

Omw this happened to me yesterday for the first time. Rhuemy says pain clinic, gp says pain clinic, pain clinic completely humiliated me to the point I cried all the way home. He says there 3 meds for fibro, savella( cant do because of stroke in my family) Cymbalta im on for anxiety but doesn't do much for the fibro and lyrica which ins doent want to pay. he said if those don't work well.... that's all. so im back to square one

thanks for all of your responses! moving isn't an option for me as i just bought a house. instead i made an appt w/a ortho doc who might at least address my joint pain. gonna look into different psych docs too. here's hoping!

Hi cristledreamz,

I am so sorry your having to deal with this. How frustrating. I hope this new Dr. your going to see can help you, and that you find a good psych docs that will validate you and give you some help.

I know for me getting validation was helpful to my peace of mind, even though I still lose my peace from time to time.

Fibro can be such a frustrating thing to deal with, on so many levels.

Sending you some positive caring thoughts.
Gentle hugs.