Fibromyalgia - Help!?

[mangled]

Hey all-

I'm newly diagnosed with fibromyalgia and seeking personal experiences from other sufferers.

What were your initial symptoms, what led you to seek medical intervention, and how were you diagnosed?

My doctor, after struggling to treat my sleeplessness, shoulder and hip pain, and lack of focus, has basically told me I have fibromyalgia and offered little hope for relief other than prescribing me a sleep aid and some non-narcotic pain meds. The sleep meds only contribute to my morning fog, and the pain pills are worthless. I'm once again eating 800 mg ibuprofen every 6-8 hours and just not sleeping. I understand it's a difficult disorder to treat, but there has to be something else out there, right? Ultram and Trazadone are not the answer for me.

I'm considering seeking another physician, for a second opinion, but don't really feel like starting over, you know?

Anyway, thanks for any ideas/input/advice you have.
Fibromyalgia sucks.

Blessings-
Em

 

[mamagardener]

I would definitely go with a second opinion. Seems to me, sometimes if a doctor isn't sure what you have they go with Fibromyalgia just so they can make a diagnosis. Good luck!

 

[mochicken]

I agree, I dont discount the diagnosis totally but most of the time it is just a doctors way of shrugging their shoulders and giving you a diagnosis so they can just write you a prescription for pain meds and "happy pills" to get you to leave him alone. Might be a harsh way to put it but I work on a major city ambulance service and spend ALOT of time in the ER and visiting with patients and I will tell you this, most of our patients that have this diagnosis were complaining of different pains and the doctors turned them into addicts by prescribing med after med after med trying to get the pain under control instead of trying to find out the root of the problem.

Try to keep yourself relaxed, heck try yoga, the stretching is GREAT for your body, the most important part is see a specialist, actually see 5 specialists. Make no mention of the fibromyalgia when you see them, just tell them where it hurts and describe it, out of the 5 I will bet 2 of them will say fibromyalgia but the other 3 will dig around until they find out what is really wrong.

 

[mangled]

Thanks, guys.

I've had 2 MRI's, TONS of blood work, x-rays, physical therapy, testing for carpal tunnel, my gosh, the list could go on and on ... lol.

I've got a masters in nursing, but I'm no Dr. I'm very wary of narcotics, due to the addictions I've seen through the years, but at this point, I need *something* to help control the pain. I've got a cupboard full of non-narcotic pain relievers that have not helped in the least.

I actually just started doing yoga. It's a wonderful thing.

Blessings-
Em

 

[perolane]

I agree..get a second opinion...more if needed. There are doctors that specialize in fibromyalgia. Medication called "Lyrica" helped a friend of mine.

Good luck...it's an awful thing to deal with!

 

[gritsar]

A general practioner or internist is not qualified to even begin to treat fibro., period. Insist that your doctor refer you to a rheumatologist. So many other illnesses can mimic fibro. and vice versa - MS, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, crohns, to name a few. It's important the right tests and exams are done.

Lyrica can help (get ready for major weight gain), but so can non-medication treatments like water therapy and heat/ice therapy - if it truly is fibromyalgia. A good night's rest is a must and it's better if that sleep is achieved naturally somehow, not through pharmaceuticals.

It amazes me how easy it is for doctors to tell folks to pop a few ibuprofen or other NSAID. I'm starting to think they are all in cahoots with the gastroenterologists, who will be treating the stomach ulcers from those NSAIDs later on down the road.

Good luck

 

[schellie69]

It took me 3 1/2 years to find a doctor that would help. I am on a pain medication to help keep my pain level down and then have a pain med for break through pain. I take a muscle spasm med for my back. I am on a anti-inflammatory and zanxa to help me sleep with these meds I am back to living a good life. I am going to get back on lyrica it was a big help couldn't afford it when we lost our insurance. If you want to PM me I can give you the list of meds that might help. I would go to a pain specialist they seem to be more willing treat with the right medication instead of worrying that people are drug seeking. Good luck.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Not to hijack but Schellie, have you tried getting the lyrica thru the company that makes it for free (Pfizer). If you qualify, they'll send a month's supply to your doctor at a time via the drug rep. and you can pick it up there.

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
Not to hijack but Schellie, have you tried getting the lyrica thru the company that makes it for free (Pfizer). If you qualify, they'll send a month's supply to your doctor at a time via the drug rep. and you can pick it up there.

No I am going to see my doctor on June 3rd going to talk to the doctor about seeing if they have samples or if there is a way to get it at a reduced cost we have a little prescription insurance. So I am going to try and see what I can do.

 

[EweSheep]

I think I am suffering from it. My family doctor said there is no such thing and wont give me a referral to a rheumologist. Self referral may be the thing I may have to do and pay it out of pocket. Glad there is ONE doctor who is very good that did my rotator cuff surgery almost two years ago. Been having this for almost seven years, and eating thru aspirins and Medicaid and Medicare wont pay for that kind of DX.

I've cut waaaaaaay back on refined breads, white things like sugar and rice and noodles but still achy and most days I feel like crap. A bit of walking or swimming helps only for an hour, massages helped the most but only temporarily for a day without any pain medications. My mom has it. Same symptoms as her along with rheum. arthritis as well.