I can't work at all. I have had very bad things happen when I tried going to the pain clinic for help. I never asked for narcotics. I did ask simply what would I do if the meds I was taken at the time stopped working. What would I do after that. since I have been on ever med known to man. I was on narcotics and opiates but there came the time when they wanted everyone off these meds so I got off them. Not because they didn't work but because they changed there minds on pain control on fibro. Just getting up and going to work and teaching seems to me you are up and doing something all day long. I really bad. I barely can walk down the sidewalk and I know I have to work at it. but really is hard for anyone when there pain is not controlled. We all have different pain level and fibro effects in different ways. I don't think that you sit in a chair all day long and even if you did I am sure you get around more then others. I am sure you walk to her and there. that is exercise. I stretch I consider that exercise and I do that in my bed. It is movement. We are all at different levels. Lets say I really wanted answers on if they could do anything about my myofascial knots in my neck. I told them I had novicane but in them but I knew that there where many other thinks to do with myofascial like release. I wanted information and perhaps help at there clinic. I was treated terribly. I know that some of you go to pain clinic's and are treated well. That just was never my experience. When I asked what to do when my meds did work anymore they came right out and told me I was a drug seeker. That I had been to to many doctors and it seemed to them that I was doctor hunting. I hadn't even said the word narcotic or pain medication. I am terrified of going to the ER because they look at my medication list and feel I over dosed. the last time I hadn't been taking my meds and i was passing out. I told them put they refused to believe me. I was scared what if I had something else wrong with me and I died cause they couldn't get past my med list. They were not listening to me at all. I was left there alone with no fluids. I just think some doctors aren't meant to be in charge of medication at all and they simply don't understand chronic pain. However I guess they we also get the backlass from the people who use the system as a personal drug store. I can't get any kind of narcotic at all even if I broke my leg. I don't know what I will do if things get worse.

Sorry about your experience.
IS this a doctor who does not care or he cares too much?
I know it is frustrating for you.
Most doctors do care and it frustrates them also to see you in so much pain and they can not help you in any other way then feeding you addictive drugs that are bad for your health.

My doctors pushed me into exercise and eating healthy and it really is the best medicine. When I do miss out on exercise or I eat something bad for me I totally regret it because I feel like hell the next day.

Proper diet and exercise has not cured me but it does make life so much better.

I was pretty much housebound after work for years and now I get out and enjoy all the things I missed and gave up on over the years because of lack of energy.

I weigh the same now as when I was in my 20s (-75lbs)and look even better. heh

I now only take Advil and a few vitamin supplements.

And mentally omg a huge difference.

I can focus and remember again. Angry racing thoughts gone.


And this one is for the guys.( my morning wood came back and sex drive grrrrrrowl. I am a beast)

Also after a good workout, the burn from exercise kinda shorts out the fibro pain. But you gotta work hard to feel that burn.

As I said in the beginning of my blabbering reply.
I am sorry about your experience and I can totally relate, some doctors are just dicks but most do care.

Exercise really does help.
Please try it.
It will be hard at first so just start with a nice walk at lunch or after dinner.

Pain clinics unfortunately are the destination of choice for those people who are just drug seeking, so pain clinic docs have to try and sort through and weed those folks out. Also every legitimate patient they see is in pain- seeing these people is their daily work, so even if they appear a bit flippant, at least they are there still trying to help more people. They are probably also under a lot of regulatory pressure (especially in NC) to be moderate in what they prescribe.

If this doc is big on exercise, then keep a log of ALL activity you do, AND its results) who many times you get up from your chair, how long you have had to stand, how many minutes you have walked etc. The results part is if you felt better or worse etc. Maybe if you show him what your day is like, and that you are sincerely trying to follow his advice he will consider adding more meds for your comfort.

Sure exercise is wonderful- when you can handle it. I once read an article on fibro that suggested not increasing exercise time by more than 3-4 minutes each week to avoid creating a flare.

Best of luck. Hope you are more comfy soon.

I was sitting at my desk feeling much same as you today, exhausted beyong belief at the end of the work day, climbing into bed at 6:30pm because the pain and exhaustion are overwhelming. I don't want to be in bed, I want to be outside with everyone else, laughing and enjoying. I am jealous of the freedom others take for granted, I want it back. I push and I push, taking care of my resposponsibilties and those of the ones I love. I am not depressed, I am pure exhausted. My doc is kind and always listens, but I don't know if others that do not have fibro truly understand the high level of pain we endure.

@letitbe - I told him that I have to walk to plant (factory) that I work in and he said that isn't good enough. He said I need at least 30 mins of walking to the point that I can still carry on a conversation but not sing a song. I mean, I get out in the garden when I can and weed it, and our yard is downhill so there is always an uphill walk back to the house. But to him none of this counts. And I'm not necessarily looking for more meds...I just want to be treated some respect and compassion. I was first sent to a pain clinic after I herniated a disc in my low back. I think shortly afterward is when the Fibro set in. And then in 2009 I had a terrible flare (the worst its been and lasted for a very long time) after my dad died.
@tessasmom - It's so good to hear that there is someone out there who truly understands what I'm trying to say. I used to be very "Martha Stewart", always decorating for every holiday - even the small ones, always baking and my house was clean as a whistle. I want to be her again.

This is the same doctor who last time I saw him told me I was just depressed. I have been through a major depression many years ago. I know what depression is and I am not depressed. I am frustrated! I am exhausted! I HURT! But I am not depressed!!!

Thank you all for your comments and support. Joining this group was one of the best things I've done for myself in a long time! Bless you all!!

I understand as I've had plenty of doctors like that. They try to make you feel small and either don't know or don't care how vulnerable we already feel by being this ill.

I have a doctor now that I have to grit my teeth every time I see her, but I have no way to switch nor do I care to switch at this point because she doesn't try to change what is working for me.

I just hope I don't lose her because I can't pay my bill on time.