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.
I was referred over to a Rehab Dr. last May after being diagnosed with Fibro. He put me on 1/2 days as of June 1st. I tried Aqua Therapy last June but my pain level was too high, was getting excessive sweating from Cymbalta and dizziness. In September my employer put me in FMLA for 12 weeks to see if I would be able to come back Full-time in December. The only thing that the Rehab dr.suggested was to go to Pain Management classes which is not a cure but they help you to pace yourself and set healthy limits. Learn how to balance activity and rest to increase function, promote relaxation to reduce stress and decrease pain. I just finished the class last week. Saw the Rehab dr. He asked me how my pain was. Explained it had gotten worse because I am under a lot of stress with my mom going on Hospice Care. I asked what the next step was...I mentioned trying to do PT again. Was told that my pain level is too high and PT does not work when it was high. His next step. Go back to work full-time... Are you kidding me? My pain level is too high to do PT but not work full-tme? I was told their goal is to get me back to work full-time.... Really? What about helping me getting my pain level down do I can function, helping me to improve my sleep or even helping me to improve my physical activity.... Time to find a new Rehab Dr. that will actually help me...
If helping them seems to be too great a task, just send 'em back to work and forget about 'em.
Really doesn't help us when the people who are supposed to be helping are brushing us aside. I definitely agree with you that you need to find a new rehab specialist (one who knows the actual definition of rehabilitation). Good luck to you!
I know this has added alot of stress to your life and is making your fibro worse. I wish I knew how to solve all your problems with work and everything but I dont.
I just know you need to take a few mins a day or longer an hour for yourself. Get in the tub or snuggle up with a blanket and watch an old movie, read a book or work a puzzle or whatever you enjoy.
Hang in there, you mom is under good care with Hospice.
Also, since Dec. is almost here you made need to revisit the arrangement you have w/ your employer.
May you feel better soon.
They are not all created equal. Our pain is brain-based, not body based. Any rehab specialist that doesn't get that shouldn't be treating fibromyalgia.