When I was first dx'd, this was a "rheumy";s field; now it's mostly neuros. PCPs often treat b/c of insurance issues or availability issues regarding specialists. If you think your PCP can handle it, then try. My GP oversees my overall care, and it's good, because that means one doc knows what all others do, and there's a "central" source for all medical data regarding me.

My PCP oversees my Fibromyalgia care for the most part. I've been on SSDI for a few years now. I still see a pain management specialist for several underlying health issues. I continue to see a specialist in case I am subject to a review by SSDI.

If you may apply for SSDI at some point, I would continue to see a specialist periodically. The Social Security Administration prefers to see specialists in your medical records when reviewing a claim for SSDI. Take care.

I have a PCP (Internist), who oversees my care.
But, I seem to have a specialist for everything: rhuemy, pain med doc, gastro doc, gyno, orthopaedic, optomalogist, psychologist (therapy), and soon to see an ENT doc.

I figure with all the different health conditions I have, I should have the best Doctors to treat the conditions. Most of the doctors know each other, and share records.

I was sent to a Rheumy/Neuro to diagnose. It was good because they did ever test possible to make sure it wasn't anything other possible thing. Not that we know what I have, my PCP treats with suggestions and input from the other doctors.

That being said they did freak me out because there for about a month and a half, they were almost 100% sure I had a brain tumor. No tumor just fibro... yeah me. Lol

My massage therapist actually suggested that I have fibro. I didn't know what it was but asked my PCP about it during my next visit. He looked at me like I was nuts...felt my neck a little and said that I didn't have it. I switched my PCP, not because he didn't dx me with fibro but because he showed such a lack of interest in my question/health. I brought it up to my new PCP, she said she knew very little about it and set me up with a rheumy appt. She (my PCP) now manages my overall health with the support of specialists.

I hope everyone is having a great Friday,

Kelvin

Primary care docs are given the responsibility of managing fibromyalgia care. There has been the tendency, for maybe 15 years now and since the rise of managed care, that primary care docs take over and handle what they are able to handle from the specialists, in the interest of saving healthcare dollars and also, because primary care docs treat the whole person.

Whoever seems to know more about fibro, and is compassionate and available to you, that's where I'd go.

I have a family dr (who is a family dr, that is her specialty :) ) who handles overseeing everything so it is all in one place all the time. Different drs feed into her so she can coordinate care and keep track of all the details (like when I went from 500mg of muscle relaxant to 750) so the insurance company doesn't get confused. NEVER confuse your insurance company!!! They are incapable of thinking quickly :P

It's my intent to eliminate all these specialists if I can. Mine have never communicated with each other and they all know I have multiple issues. And they are all aware I have MS which complicates everything else and makes all the other illnesses seem worse. Thank you all. I am seeing a pattern here. I'm hoping to find a good, competent PCP who can handle everything. It used to be a GP was the only doctor anyone needed.