Oh! I forgot - on the Trigger Point Injections - what medications do they inject that seem the most helpful?

Thanks!

Both of those treatments are for very specific conditions, neither of which is fibromyalgia.

Trigger point injections treat myofascial trigger points, knots that form when a muscle is in spasm. I don't know what other doctors inject, but mine injects nothing except marcaine to dull the pain of the injection. The technique she uses is called dry needling - the insertion and manipulation of a needle to break up the knot/spasm. The effect lasts 3-4 months - at least for me.

Radiofrequency lesioning is used for conditions such as facet joint arthritis, back pain, neck pain, nerve pain, some forms of headaches, where very specific nerves are involved, and interrupting the signal from those nerves will stop the pain.

The pain of fibromyalgia is felt in the nerves, but originates, for the most part, in the brain.

Having said that, many of us have overlapping conditions such as back pain unrelated to fibromyalgia, and those conditions might be helped by those treatments.

I have had trigger point injections using Sarapin. The latter is a derivative of the Pitcher plant and a highly effective pain killer. And, it has no known side effects. Unfortunately, it is also not well known. There is one hospital near me that have doctor's that actually use it. That being said, it is not a pleasant process. I had injections in my lower back to break the pain cycle. With Sarapin, two injections in each site are needed. Lidocaine goes in first followed by Sarapin. Did it work - YES! Was it worth the pain - YES! If I had to do it again, I would. My advice is to bring a driver and an ice pack for the trip home. Plan on about a week and possibly longer of backlash from this much fun. I would guess that the clinic may use Lidocaine depending on the spot. If anybody says anything about Cortisone, I'd refuse. It causes tendon damage and can not be repeated very often. And steroids depress the immune system. Radio frequency is typically used on folks with lumbar issues. It either works or it doesn't. It is done using computer guided imagery. I know someone who had radio frequency and it made things worse. However, we are all different and what doesn't work for me may prove to be Godsend for you. I hope that I've answered your questions. Good luck and take care.

I forgot to answer the pain about the pain. Yep the injections hurt like holy hell - that's why they inject marcaine or lidocaine beforehand. Those only take the edge off - still hurts like hell.

Like Fantod, I believe it's worth it. My doctor says all of her patients complain about the pain of the injections, and then they keep coming back for more. That's because they work.

Thanks for the feedback! The pain clinic website does specifically say that they sometimes use the trigger point injections for fibro, and as mentioned here, I'm guessing that there must be some crossover between conditions.

As I am searching the web for more ideas on what to do for future treatments, I have come across quite a few conditions that have similar symptoms as fibro, which has left me wondering, how do we know that's even what I have? I guess that's one thing I'll be asking the PMD, is have all of these other things been ruled out? Maybe she just didn't test for everything because it doesn't really matter and the treatment is the same for everything?

I called my insurance, and my co-pay is $150 plus 30% of the cost of any supplies, drugs or agents used. Sounds expensive!

Oh, and one thing that is crazy - my co-pay for a breast reduction surgery is the SAME as for trigger point injections! $150 + the 30% of whatever... that seems insane to me. But... they said the TPI's are classified as surgery!

Yes, in a pain management clinic they would Bill TIPs as surgery. Anything to make money off of the chronically ill. It is no wonder our health-care is so expensive.

I pay my $50 specialist copayment and nothing more. That's crazy.

I've had the trigger point injections---lidocaine and, I think a little cortisone. I had no problem with the pain what so ever.
I recently had several visits to a pain clinic for cortisone shots--epidural, They specifically said the the steroid does not circulate throughout the body but honestly the pain in my back in much much worse than before the injections.....I would steer clear unless absolutely no other options
I would def. try the trigger pt. injections. Chiropractors often use some sort of electrical impulse machines...
I hope to return to the chiro....safer.
I am in the worst flare and my back and leg freeze up in the a,m.
never had this before going to pain clinic.
they do not dispense meds at most pain clinics at least in this area.

Sorry you're having a tough time Mamie!

This particular pain clinic does dispense pain meds - they have their pain contract right on their website. When I did my consult with them, even though I said I did not want any prescriptions as I had just signed a contract with my current PMD, they did a drug screen. I don't pay anything for diagnostics/screenings, but I saw the insurance statement, and they got paid just shy of $1,000 for the screening!

I have no idea if they test monthly or if it's less, and I also don't know if they do that full screening every time - if they do it goes a long way to explaining why our insurance premiums are so high!

I'm really hoping that I just have success with my regular PMD and don't have to switch - I hate the idea of such expensive stuff being done routinely. Since this clinic does their testing in-house, plus the procedures, it's all $$$$ to them, I'm sure.