That makes sense to me about his partner not seeing fibro patients.
I went to a rheumy just for a correct dx that it was fibro. A rheumy cant do anymore then a reg dr or a pain clinic once you are dxed for fibro.

A rheumy can help people with lupus, arthriitis etc. I think when we have fibro its a matter of learning to deal with the symptoms and what works best for each one of us.

I'm with you, Milily.....I feel like an outcast! It's like nobody understands what we have, and they don't want to deal with helping us. To me, it's one more pain we have to bear with the fibro diagnosis.

Yup...doesn't it suck!!!

At the suggestion of my doc, she recommended that I see a Rheumy. So off I went to find a Rheumy in the Twin Cities. Of all of the Rheumy's I tried calling, non of them "TREAT" Fibro. They will dx it, but that is it. And the Twin Cities is one of the leading medical communities in the US!

To say I was discouraged was putting it lightly.
Your doc is correct, General Practitioners and Pain Clinics are where *most* of us get our treatment from. There are a select few who have amazing docs who will treat them. And what a blessing that is.

Even the Mayo Clinic, doesn't *treat* fibro.

And in my opinion, I can kinda see why. There is no known cause...many fail on the FDA approved meds and we're *high maintenance* patients as there is always something going on.

Personally I have chosen to not discuss my Fibro with docs anymore. I've taken a different approach to my treatment. I've changed my dietary intake (for the most part it's an arthritic diet) which has helped and I keep moving through out the day. I live in pain...I have accepted that. And with the way how my life is currently I can not take a chance at being knocked out by pain meds.

My suggestions would be to start with a doctor you trust for a GP. Then go in and interview them. Discuss your fibro with them and where you would like to be. (be honest with yourself and them). If you don't like them...then contact another doctor for an interview. You're hiring them for your care. You're the CEO of your body...hire yourself some good staff!

I can understand why you are upset. This is a feeling of loss. I went to the same Dr. over 10 yrs. When she announced she was leaving her practice, I was devastated. I found out a couple of months later, she was not leaving her practice, just leaving the clinic I had been going to and she'd moved to another clinic. When I tried to make an appt. with her she "was not accepting new patients!" What? It would be at least 6 months before I could get in to see her. In the meantime, I found another Dr. And, so glad I did! I would not change back to my previous Dr. for my new Dr. She is the best. So maybe this is one of those situations which seem hard now, but will turn out for your best. As the saying goes... When one door closes another one opens. Good luck to you!

I have done my self help regime for some 7 years now. What did I do? Firstly attended to my diet, I removed gluten from my diet and all preservatives, I cook from scratch. Its not hard to make dinner from scratch. Most of my meals take only 20 mins to cook and about 10 to prepare. Slow cookers are good for winter meals. I dont drink sodas or take in a lot of sugars. I have my tea etc unsweetened and eat a plain unsugared breakfast cereal etc, I make sure I have at least 5 fresh fruits and veg a day, Usually I have 7.

I take no pain killers apart from the odd Tylenol if I get severe pain in the neck region.

I walk every day to get those pain killing endorphines going, My first walk was only 5 mins. I now walk 35-50 mins a day. Once I was so sick I could not make the letter box and I had every symptom on the fibro check list.

Now I still suffer from fibro but I have a much better quality of life. I pace myself with things like housework.

Dont let anyone say there is no hope of improvement I am living proof that there is. You just have to take charge of your own treatment. Oh I do use heat pads for the times when I get bad muscle spasms as well as the lifestyle changes I mentioned.

I just want to encourage everyone to push through the pain and do some exercise because its an amazing therapy for fibro, Walking in my opinion is the best option. Some people go for Yoga.

YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIFE and even avoid taking heavy pain killers. I promise as I am living proof of this.

I am so sorry Milily. I have been through this before and it sucks. I once had a doctor who when pressed told me that he and his partner had decided that fibro wasn't a real condition. I was really frightened when he said that. What?

Once I knew what his position was I went and found a new doctor who was at least caring.

I've also had a pain clinic tell me that they don't see FM patients.

It's scary out there. This condition is recognized by the AMA so I can't figure out why these doctors have their head up their ass.

I am so sorry to hear that! I have been waiting for 6 weeks to get the call back from the rheumatologist my MD referred me to. The front receptionist just says: I will make sure the nurse gets your info" and then says "Take care!" Maybe they are not taking Fibro patients, but they don't want to say that in hopes I go away. My insurance will not cover the local Fibro doctors I found on the National Fibro website. I am trying to just get through each day. Pain management without constant input from an expert is tough. Hope you find someone to help you.

Fibromyalgia used to be thought to be a form of arthritis so it was consigned to the rheumatic arena and rheumatologists. Now that it's been categorized as a central nervous system disorder, it really doesn't belong with the rheumies anymore but there is no one else being trained to pick up the slack.

It makes it hard for those seeking a doctor to treat them, as the rheumies still will generally diagnose, but won't provide ongoing treatment. Most people end up back with their PCP, or with a pain clinic. In some areas neurologists are starting to see fibro patients, and I expect that will be the growing trend as more is learned.

I hope you can find someone to see you - not that there is much they can do - we often can do as much for ourselves outside of pain meds.

Try asking your local hospital if there are any docs in the area treating fibromyalgia. You can also do a search over the i-net. If there are any support groups in your area, attend one and ask others who is treating them. If you live in or near a city and there is a teaching hospital, call them. I have to agree that it is now being looked at as a central nervous system disease--so try with neurologists in your area.

I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist and he helped titrate my medication. After that, my gp has written out scripts and will refer me to PT when necessary. I also have MPS and she has successfully given me TrP injections to a couple of very stubborn ones.You may want to see if there are any chiropracters in your area that treat it since some deal with muscle and tissue.

Don't dismay.You may have to do some calling around but like someone else has stated, you may find someone you like better. I am actually surprised a rheumatologist would see you for so many years since there really isn't a whole lot they can do. Remember to ask questions prior to making an appointment with anyone. I wish you luck!

my neuro dx me with fibro and i get my medications from him. I'm going to a Rhumey on 9/1 for the first time to confirm a few things per my pcp request. If you;ve lost your Rhumey look for a Neuro maybe that is the better way to go if your pcp won't handle it.

Would a endroconolgist treat FMS? Seems to be related more to an Endro doctor to me. That's who I am getting treatment from. Just a thought.
Good luck!
Jon

Milly
I can see why your so upset
I know alot of Rhummy aren't on board with this disease anymore more
waited a month to see a new Rummy when we moved and she sent me to neuro.........
now in PT so that is at least some help and insurance is paying
this doesn't help your situation but wishing you the best in finding a caring and outstanding dr.

My PCP treats me. I've been to a rheumy. She was worthless. I do know that infectious disease docs are starting to treat fibro patients more as are neurologists. I have been diagnosed by 3 different docs in my quest for SSDI. That's a whole other ballgame there.