I am really upset...I need a new Rheumy

I've been dealing with FM for over 20 years. I've had the same rheumy most of that time, and really loved her. She was always willing to listen to what I had been researching, as well as always sharing with me what she had read. If I wanted to try a new med, she was willing to give it a go. She was wonderful. She recently retired and I began to see one of her associates. It's taken me three visits to realize the guy is a jerk. I had this feelinig at the last visit and now after yesterday's visit, I believe it more and more. I just don't think he really believes in FM. His tone is condescending. I've seen him 3 times and not once has he done an exam (tender points). I've requested a change in meds twice and he shot me down both times. Yesterday was the straw, though. I have been on Vicoprofen now since it first came out. I've been using the generic for at least two years if not longer, so all together, it's probably been about 10 years. I NEVER take more than what's prescribed. I asked him yesterday if I could change to another opioid because I don't feel it is really working any longer. I am not able to exercise as I know I could be if I could have better control over the pain.

His response was shocking. He told me that long time use of hydrocodone, which is the generic for Vicodin or Vicoprofen, will cause a person's own natural pain killers to stop functioning. He then went on from there, just going off about the use of narcotics. I was stunned. There have been so many reports recently, from reliable journals, stating the use of opioids in managing chronic pain is beneficial. He obviously is "old school"...

When I left there, I felt like a drug seeker. I wasn't asking for the Vicoprofen PLUS ANOTHER NARCOTIC, all I wanted was to switch to something else, to see if it would make a difference in managing my pain, so I could exercise more. I know exercise is the key to managing the fatigue in pain, at least for me it is. But with the level of pain I have now, I cannot exercise as I should.

I'm sorry this dragged on for so long. I was really trying to be brief. I'm very upset. I haven't gone through these feelings in a very long time, having a doctor not believe you, not willing to work with you. I live in a burb just outside of Chicago, so switching doctors is not a problem for me, there are many and you better believe he's seen the last of me. I guess I just had to share this with those that understanding. I am very low today.

thanks for listening (reading)

Miriam

Morning MT Lady,

  What a shame that some docs make you feel like chit huh ? hey your a druggy !! why ? because you want to change meds ?? yes they are jerks i agree with you and im sorry you had to go thru that. It seems it's time to swith docs woman. I Hate it when doctcors make you feel so bad..And yes // your body does get too used to the meds so you feel it doesn't work anymore,it is a fact.yet they want you to Still stay on it. I'm going thru the same thing with my docs. Geezzz been on the same med for 6 years it won't work anymore.

<< Yes it's good to vent, we all need to at times.I wish you all the best and i hope you do find a doc who will help you. {{{{{gentle Huggzzz }}}}} hope you can enjoy the rest of the day.hey  smile it helps a bit,,   take care ,  Kat..

Oh Miriam..

I'm sorry you're having a hard time with this doctor.  Well its best if you move on.  You know we always remind people to check that the new doctor believes in Fibro, so I guess you're back to square one.  What a shame.

I hate the thought of even asking a doctor for something for pain.  They all seem to look over their glasses with that ... hmmm?!!? look on their face.  I think my doctor sorta half and half believes in fibro.. but unless you've experienced the pain, fog and fatigue I guess you just don't understand it whether your a doctor or not. On the other hand most doctors have never experienced the pain of cancer, MS or certain injuries.. so they can't relate to that pain either.

I hope you'll be able to find another doctor soon, it's a shame we have to pay these guys when we're not satisfied with their service (or lack there of).

Take care,

My neoroligist diagnosed me, even though I beileved I have had fibro since I was 14 years old (I'm 26 now), and she didnt even do any tests, just said, yep, you have fibro, you'll be fine. And their's only one rheumy in the area where I live, and I cant get in with them, so I dont have any choice in finding any other doctors. We have like a billion family doctors where I live, but only 3 that do pain, and one I hate, and the other 2 dont take my insurance, so finding a doctor to treat me is slim to none. So I just survive on my neoroligist that is impossible to get in with, you have to wait 3 months to see her, and she always give me that look no matter what I ask for, she didnt even wanna give me a strong dose of ibprofen or neusea meds, it took me over a year to talk her into the lyrica. So I know how you feel, it just isnt fair.

-hellokitty

What a jerk. Wish I had been there so I could have told them where on my list of top ten worst Doctors they rate.

Its expensive, but every time I have to get a new PCP, and I am on some kind of Insurance, I go pay cash for a office visit, dump the 3 inches of med records in front of them, which they have no time to read, tell them what my diagnoses are, show them the meds I am taking and then do a attitude check on what I think I am going to get out of them. Then if I get attitude from them, they get a whole bunch more back from me, and I go to the next one.

I used to have to do plumbing work for all kinds of Doctors in Lake Tahoe. You think they are bad at the office. 3 out of 4 are complete jerks on vacation also.

Tired of taking this $*%*$ from the bad ones.

Best Doctor I have ever had I got this way. I could tell right off the bat when I told him that I had to be able to work no matter what and he said he understood, I had a winner. When I go see him, I tell him where I am with my drug taking, how I am feeling, if I want to try a different drug and he has never given me a problem. If he has no patients waiting on him, we will sit there and laugh and tell jokes for 15 fifteens. We both like watching House and that's one of our favorites to laugh about.