Suspect I have fibromyalgia
aimingtowin posted:
Hi - Over the past couple of years I've been to my doctor complaining of fatigue. Each time I went in I told my doctor that I didn't know if I was tired because I was depressed or depressed because I was tired. I am not sleeping well largely because moving is painful. I can no longer stoop down to put on clothing and basically feel like I am 80 and I'm only 56. My lower back is constantly aching and more recently my neck and shoulders. I wake up each day so tired and drag through each day. I've had blood work, thyroid is slightly low (or high?) and in one community I'm told the docs would put be on thyroid meds but in my community they will not... I've always been an exercise nut but even hugging my husband is painful these days. I guess my first step is to find the right kind of doctor to find out if I do have fibromyalgia. Can you tell me what kind of doc to see?
3 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Suspect I have fibromyalgiaHi - Over the past couple of years I've been to my doctor complaining of fatigue. Each time I went in I told my doctor that I didn't know if I was tired because I was depressed or depressed because I was tired. I am not sleeping well largely because moving is painful. I can no longer stoop down to put on clothing and basically feel like I am 80 and I'm only 56. My lower back is constantly aching and more recently my neck and shoulders. I wake up each day so tired and drag through each day. I've had blood work, thyroid is slightly low (or high?) and in one community I'm told the docs would put be on thyroid meds but in my community they will not... I've always been an exercise nut but even hugging my husband is painful these days. I guess my first step is to find the right kind of doctor to find out if I do have fibromyalgia. Can you tell me what kind of doc to see?
BetteK responded:
amingtowin, the kind of doc you need depends on several things. First of all, do you have a good relationship with your family practicioner? Is (s)he open to discussions and constantly widening her knowledge? If so, ask for a fibromyalgia evaluation from her.
If not, you can go to a rheumatologist, a neurologist, a pain specialist, or a psychiatrist. It all depends on your own needs. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral from your primary. If you are fairly sure it's a joint/mobility problem, go to a rheumatologist. If you are primarilly concerned about depression, try the psychiatrist.
My fibromyalgia was diagnosed by a rheumy, but I got my first glimmer of hope from a truly great neurologist. He tested me for EVERYTHING. He prescribed a whole spectrum of meds that got me out of an ever-increasing spiral of pain. Without his help, I would be in a hopeless quagmire of dispair.
Most of the time, NOW my family practicioner manages my care, but I depend on my pain doctor for nerve blocks every 3 months. I also know that either one of them will prescribe any meds I need--no questions asked. This is the product of years of responsible cooperation. When I didn't need high level meds, I asked to be weaned off them. I am now not using any pain meds, but will not wait one day to request them if my pain escallates.
Hope this is of some help. FM is confusing for all of us.
BetteK
If not, you can go to a rheumatologist, a neurologist, a pain specialist, or a psychiatrist. It all depends on your own needs. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral from your primary. If you are fairly sure it's a joint/mobility problem, go to a rheumatologist. If you are primarilly concerned about depression, try the psychiatrist.
My fibromyalgia was diagnosed by a rheumy, but I got my first glimmer of hope from a truly great neurologist. He tested me for EVERYTHING. He prescribed a whole spectrum of meds that got me out of an ever-increasing spiral of pain. Without his help, I would be in a hopeless quagmire of dispair.
Most of the time, NOW my family practicioner manages my care, but I depend on my pain doctor for nerve blocks every 3 months. I also know that either one of them will prescribe any meds I need--no questions asked. This is the product of years of responsible cooperation. When I didn't need high level meds, I asked to be weaned off them. I am now not using any pain meds, but will not wait one day to request them if my pain escallates.
Hope this is of some help. FM is confusing for all of us.
BetteK
Report This| Share this:Suspect I have fibromyalgiaamingtowin, the kind of doc you need depends on several things. First of all, do you have a good relationship with your family practicioner? Is (s)he open to discussions and constantly widening her knowledge? If so, ask for a fibromyalgia evaluation from her.<br /> <br />If not, you can go to a rheumatologist, a neurologist, a pain specialist, or a psychiatrist. It all depends on your own needs. Depending on your insurance, you may need a referral from your primary. If you are fairly sure it's a joint/mobility problem, go to a rheumatologist. If you are primarilly concerned about depression, try the psychiatrist. <br /> <br />My fibromyalgia was diagnosed by a rheumy, but I got my first glimmer of hope from a truly great neurologist. He tested me for EVERYTHING. He prescribed a whole spectrum of meds that got me out of an ever-increasing spiral of pain. Without his help, I would be in a hopeless quagmire of dispair.<br /> <br />Most of the time, NOW my family practicioner manages my care, but I depend on my pain doctor for nerve blocks every 3 months. I also know that either one of them will prescribe any meds I need--no questions asked. This is the product of years of responsible cooperation. When I didn't need high level meds, I asked to be weaned off them. I am now not using any pain meds, but will not wait one day to request them if my pain escallates.<br /> <br />Hope this is of some help. FM is confusing for all of us.<br /> <br />BetteK
aimingtowin replied to BetteK's response:
Thank you BetteK. I very much appreciate your advice. Hoping to see my family physician next week. I'll try a neurologist next! Do the symptoms ebb and flow with stress? I seem to be in more pain when I am under a lot of stress...
Report This| Share this:Suspect I have fibromyalgiaThank you BetteK. I very much appreciate your advice. Hoping to see my family physician next week. I'll try a neurologist next! Do the symptoms ebb and flow with stress? I seem to be in more pain when I am under a lot of stress...
Dollbug responded:
Hello and welcome....MiMi in NC....sorry that you are not feeling better....I am sure that soon you will find something that will help you cope better....You need to find someone who knows about and understand the wrath of the dragon, aka FM....not all doctors believe that FM is indeed an illness.
I also have chronic fatigue...and I have not found anything which has truly helped it...some days it is worse than other days...and I can not seem to figure this out either...my doctor says that there is nothing that will help it...but I continue to try to find something. Good luck on this...IF you find something that helps you...I do hope you will share it with us.
I also have lower back issues...I first thought that kidney stones were causing my pain...I have them in both kidneys but the specialist tells me that he does not think my pain is from them. OK...so actually no one can really tell me what is going on....I have used a heating pad (my good friend) a lot in the past few months..and this does help me. I also use the Stopain Spray especially right after I have showered...it is good stuff for pain that you can not get to ease. You can find it at walmart for approx $8....you might want to try it.
I would like to suggest to you that you ask the doctor to check your Vitamin D level....which is so important to a lot of people these days...low Vitamin D can cause additional pain for some of us and it can also affect other illnesses as well....Do your own research about Vitamin D...it is quite interesting just what the medical researchers have discovered recently and just how important it is.
There are no quick fixes for the pain of FM....it does take a trial and error process as we are all different...and what helps one may or may not help another...only you will know when you have found the *right combination of tools and tips* that helps you cope better.
You should also learn how to pace, pace and pace even more...this is a must for most of us....you will learn this in time....as when you overdo or cross your line...you will surely pay for it...sleep is so very important...perhaps you might try a foam mattress...some people find them to help...as for me...I sleep in a recliner and have done so since 2005....(not by choice though)...I have found that the prone position is better on my body...I sleep in a Catnapper with pillows...do nothing really *touching* my body except the pillows which are really soft.
Taking a hot shower at night using lavender bath salts in a stopped up drain helps my body to relax so that I can rest better.
Gotta find a way to limit your stress too....this is so important....but I find it also very hard to do as well.
Stress can cause more pain for me.
Check out the info here under *tips* and *resources*...I am sure you will find other good *tools* that perhaps you have not thought of....it does take time and effort...you should allow at least 6-8 weeks of whatever you decide to try.
In the beginning I tried different kinds of medicines...only to find that none of them really helped and most had side effects...I finally did my own research and I now take *vitamins and supplements* to control my pain and do other things as well.
Drinking plenty of water every day and watching what I eat....doing *gentle exercises or stretches* is also good....moving is important...yes...it is sometimes painful...but the more you move the better you will feel.
OK...hang out here with us....as I am sure others will chime in...there is a lot of good support here...we all understand what you are dealing with...most of us have been there, done that.
Take care and good luck.
MiMi
I also have chronic fatigue...and I have not found anything which has truly helped it...some days it is worse than other days...and I can not seem to figure this out either...my doctor says that there is nothing that will help it...but I continue to try to find something. Good luck on this...IF you find something that helps you...I do hope you will share it with us.
I also have lower back issues...I first thought that kidney stones were causing my pain...I have them in both kidneys but the specialist tells me that he does not think my pain is from them. OK...so actually no one can really tell me what is going on....I have used a heating pad (my good friend) a lot in the past few months..and this does help me. I also use the Stopain Spray especially right after I have showered...it is good stuff for pain that you can not get to ease. You can find it at walmart for approx $8....you might want to try it.
I would like to suggest to you that you ask the doctor to check your Vitamin D level....which is so important to a lot of people these days...low Vitamin D can cause additional pain for some of us and it can also affect other illnesses as well....Do your own research about Vitamin D...it is quite interesting just what the medical researchers have discovered recently and just how important it is.
There are no quick fixes for the pain of FM....it does take a trial and error process as we are all different...and what helps one may or may not help another...only you will know when you have found the *right combination of tools and tips* that helps you cope better.
You should also learn how to pace, pace and pace even more...this is a must for most of us....you will learn this in time....as when you overdo or cross your line...you will surely pay for it...sleep is so very important...perhaps you might try a foam mattress...some people find them to help...as for me...I sleep in a recliner and have done so since 2005....(not by choice though)...I have found that the prone position is better on my body...I sleep in a Catnapper with pillows...do nothing really *touching* my body except the pillows which are really soft.
Taking a hot shower at night using lavender bath salts in a stopped up drain helps my body to relax so that I can rest better.
Gotta find a way to limit your stress too....this is so important....but I find it also very hard to do as well.
Stress can cause more pain for me.
Check out the info here under *tips* and *resources*...I am sure you will find other good *tools* that perhaps you have not thought of....it does take time and effort...you should allow at least 6-8 weeks of whatever you decide to try.
In the beginning I tried different kinds of medicines...only to find that none of them really helped and most had side effects...I finally did my own research and I now take *vitamins and supplements* to control my pain and do other things as well.
Drinking plenty of water every day and watching what I eat....doing *gentle exercises or stretches* is also good....moving is important...yes...it is sometimes painful...but the more you move the better you will feel.
OK...hang out here with us....as I am sure others will chime in...there is a lot of good support here...we all understand what you are dealing with...most of us have been there, done that.
Take care and good luck.
MiMi
IN GOD WE TRUST....MAY GOD BLESS AND GUIDE AMERICA....
My personal exchanges are Vitamin D and Pain and Wrath of the Dragon....if you care to visit..
My personal exchanges are Vitamin D and Pain and Wrath of the Dragon....if you care to visit..
Report This| Share this:Suspect I have fibromyalgia<b>Hello and welcome....MiMi in NC....sorry that you are not feeling better....I am sure that soon you will find something that will help you cope better....You need to find someone who knows about and understand the wrath of the dragon, aka FM....not all doctors believe that FM is indeed an illness.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>I also have chronic fatigue...and I have not found anything which has truly helped it...some days it is worse than other days...and I can not seem to figure this out either...my doctor says that there is nothing that will help it...but I continue to try to find something. Good luck on this...IF you find something that helps you...I do hope you will share it with us. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>I also have lower back issues...I first thought that kidney stones were causing my pain...I have them in both kidneys but the specialist tells me that he does not think my pain is from them. OK...so actually no one can really tell me what is going on....I have used a heating pad (my good friend) a lot in the past few months..and this does help me. I also use the Stopain Spray especially right after I have showered...it is good stuff for pain that you can not get to ease. You can find it at walmart for approx $8....you might want to try it. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>I would like to suggest to you that you ask the doctor to check your Vitamin D level....which is so important to a lot of people these days...low Vitamin D can cause additional pain for some of us and it can also affect other illnesses as well....Do your own research about Vitamin D...it is quite interesting just what the medical researchers have discovered recently and just how important it is. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>There are no quick fixes for the pain of FM....it does take a trial and error process as we are all different...and what helps one may or may not help another...only you will know when you have found the *right combination of tools and tips* that helps you cope better. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>You should also learn how to pace, pace and pace even more...this is a must for most of us....you will learn this in time....as when you overdo or cross your line...you will surely pay for it...sleep is so very important...perhaps you might try a foam mattress...some people find them to help...as for me...I sleep in a recliner and have done so since 2005....(not by choice though)...I have found that the prone position is better on my body...I sleep in a Catnapper with pillows...do nothing really *touching* my body except the pillows which are really soft. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Taking a hot shower at night using lavender bath salts in a stopped up drain helps my body to relax so that I can rest better. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Gotta find a way to limit your stress too....this is so important....but I find it also very hard to do as well. </b><br /><b>Stress can cause more pain for me. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Check out the info here under *tips* and *resources*...I am sure you will find other good *tools* that perhaps you have not thought of....it does take time and effort...you should allow at least 6-8 weeks of whatever you decide to try. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>In the beginning I tried different kinds of medicines...only to find that none of them really helped and most had side effects...I finally did my own research and I now take *vitamins and supplements* to control my pain and do other things as well. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Drinking plenty of water every day and watching what I eat....doing *gentle exercises or stretches* is also good....moving is important...yes...it is sometimes painful...but the more you move the better you will feel.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>OK...hang out here with us....as I am sure others will chime in...there is a lot of good support here...we all understand what you are dealing with...most of us have been there, done that. </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b>Take care and good luck.</b><br /><b></b> <br /><b></b> <br /><b>MiMi </b><br /><b></b> <br /><b></b>
Helpful Tips
Weight Loss and pain
I am a 43 yr old female with fibromyalgia and numerous other dx's attached to my medical records...overweight, depressed, immune ... More
Was this Helpful?
60
of
67 found this helpful
- Living Well with Fibromyalgia
- Vitamin D level checked ***
- Focus on the positive and try to look for ways to help others and take the fo...
Helpful Resources
Related News
Related Drug Reviews
- Drug Name User Reviews
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Fibromyalgia Information
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
About WebMD Advertise With Us Terms of Use Privacy Policy Sponsor Policy Site Map Careers Contact Us
First Aid WebMD Magazine WebMD Health Record WebMD Mobile Newsletters Dictionary Physician Directory
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.