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Posted 12/19/2011 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone, I am new here. I just switched to a new Dr. and with only seeing me twice and having an MRI done on my lower back he diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I have had back pain for a long time and am in pain every day for about the last 4 years. After he diagnosed me I went home and read all about it. I found out a lot of other things wrong with me are symptoms of fibromyalgia. RLS, TMJ, migraines, hands that go numb at night, a burning feeling on my skin sometimes, sleep problems, neck pain, middle back pain, lower back pain, easily fatigued, Sacro-iliac instability, vertigo, sensitivity to noise. I also have a bruised feeling on all the tender points in the diagram I found online (the Dr. didn't even check that or tell me about it). He hasn't even received my records from my last Dr yet. He has referred me to a pain specialist and has started me on Savella. I am still taking my Oxycodone at this time. The MRI report shows things wrong with my back which includes severe disc space narrowing with disc desiccation and broad-based disc bulge, with mild facet arthropathy at L5-S1. An X-ray a year ago said I had severe disc degenerative disease with bone spurs at L5-S1, which is what my other Dr. thought was the cause of the lower back pain. I have had middle back pain most of my life, but only the last 4-5 years has it been fairly constant. My new Dr. said that one in ten people that come into his office would have an MRI like mine but would not be in the pain I am in, which is his reason why he thinks I have fibromyalgia. Any feedback on this would be appreciated. This is all new to me.

Thank you for any support,

FibroWolf
Posted 12/19/2011 9:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Fibrowolf, welcome to the forum! I'm so sorry for your pain...there are many caring members here who do understand and are here to help one another get through it.

First off, I think your diagnosis was rather quick...did your doctor run any bloodwork to rule out any of the autoimmune connective diseases? There are many symptoms that fibro shares with other conditions so it is very important to rule these out.

It is not uncommon to have fibro with other conditions...many here have degenerative disc disease or trouble with their backs...others share fibro with autoimmune diseases. I see a rhuematologist and it took years for my diagnosis to get sorted out.

Check out fibro 101 on the top of the page....there is a complete list of fibro symptoms, info re What else could it be, along with other great information for the fibromite.

We are all differant and what works for one may not work for another when it comes to medication. Keeping active, taking one day at a time and learning to pace yourself is very important. Doing what you can to help yourself is important. Be as proactive as you can...ask your doctor lots of questions, research any med that he puts you on, ask about the differant choices you have for pain relief.

You know your body better than anyone else so it will be your job to let the doc know of any changing symptoms or new ones.

I'm glad you have joined us, keep posting...we care!

hugs, Robin
Posted 12/19/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Robin,
No, he didn't do any tests besides the MRI. I see him on the 27th with lots of questions for him. My husband is going with me just like he did on the last appointment, which was the 2nd one with this new doctor. My insurance changed so I had to change doctors (we got married and I am on my husbands insurance now).

I thought it was a fast diagnosis, with starting me on meds fast too, and is sending me to a pain specialist. I take oxycodone for my back pain, and he told me he feels very uncomfortable writing that prescription for me. Feels like he wants to either pawn me off on someone else or he wants someone who knows how to treat pain better to help me out.
Posted 12/19/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad that you have a supportive husband...that does help :) It is also great to have an extra set of ears with you at appointments...I ask lots of questions and make my rheumy write things down for me.

I saw a neuro surgeon for my back 10 years ago and had surgery on my lumbar area...it was last resort. Back pain is some of the worst, vicodin and muscle relaxers helped me prior to the surgey...no longer on the vicodin but still use muscle relaxers as needed.

Fibro for me is an allover achiness...I do have the tenderpoints. Pain waxes and wanes and there are times that pain might really be felt in one specific area...it tends to pick on differant areas but is bilateral pain. At times it might be my forearms, or elbows. Like I said it will move around, above the waist and below the waist.

Fibro treatment really varies...I take Savella daily, muscle relaxers and NSAIDS as needed. I'm one who has alot of health issues and take a variety of differant meds. You really have to be careful of drug interactions.

I'm hoping your visit goes well with the doc...keep us posted. Remember if you don't feel that he is doing an adequqte job there are others out there.
Wishing you the best of luck!!! Keep us posted.

Hugs, Robin

PS. I love your artwork...you are good :)
Posted 12/20/2011 4:50 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome fibrowolf- I would as much homework as you can before next Dr. Visit
Write down your questions and having your husband there helps with extra ears. I know it really helps with me to have my husband there. I think when my husband there he actually can understand me during my pain issues. I hope you find your answers. I think that was wise of your Dr. to send you to pain management, but you need more test to rule out other things. More and more Dr's are being real careful writing narcotics. They have to answer to the DEA.
Posted 12/20/2011 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the welcomes, I'm glad I found this place. I wanted people to talk about this and until now all I had are people that dont know anything about fibromyalgia.

My records from my previous Doctor should be at my new doctors by my next visit. It was supposed to be there at the last visit, but something went wrong with the request and it never made it. I was not happy about that. I wanted my new doctor up to speed on all the stuff wrong with me, it is a FAT file!!

The more days that go by the more I find things that point to fibro, like i got a little scratch on my hand yesterday from my pet rat, and now the skin hurts sooo bad, like very sensitive and burning. I think the scratch triggered it and now the pain is going nuts. The pain on my skin is spreading up my arm a little bit. There is no sign of anything wrong except for the little scratched from my rats paw. And it isn't red or anything, just burns and is so sensitive I cant even have my sleeve touch it.
Posted 12/20/2011 10:05 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome Fibrowolf

I think you can call and ask for a copy of your med records yourself and pick them up. No charge usually. That's what I did when applying for disability

Anyway welcome and good luck

Maggie
Posted 12/20/2011 11:02 AM (GMT 0)
Ii am not sure where you live, but your records are yours. Sometimes I will pick then up for the next visit. I have an older Dr. That hand writes her notes. It looks like chicken scratch. Lol, on my new Dr. I will be seeing soon for Medicare I think I want her to write a history of me. If she doesnot it will be stacks of notes hardly readable.
Posted 12/21/2011 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, FibroWolf, and welcome!  I'm so glad you found us and joined in.  You already see how wonderful our members and and how helpful they are, too.  I think you will like it here.

 

Usually doctors run you through a myriad of tests to rule out other illnesses.  There is no specific test for fibro except the tender point test.  The symptoms of fibro are like that of other illnesses so those illnesses need to be ruled out before they know for sure it's fibro they are dealing with. 

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the second thread on the forum.  There is a link called What Else Could It Be and you will see what needs to be ruled out.  Other good starting links would be Symptoms and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  You might see yourself there. 

 

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.  Don't hesitate to ask questions because we are here to help you.  Hope to hear more from you soon.

 

Sherrine

Posted 12/29/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Went back to the doctor a few days ago. He has ordered several blood tests and a urinalysis which I went to do today. He is testing for anything that I have the symptoms for to rule them out. He also is testing my cholesterol while I am giving blood anyways (has always been good, hope it still is!) He answered all our questions and I feel much better about it. I'm really glad my husband has been going with me to my appointments until I feel comfortable with my new doctor.

I'm Doing well on the Savella, no longer feel like crap from it. Only side effect is difficulty urinating. On 50mg in am, 50mg in pm. Hoping to start to feel some results soon. Waiting to get a call from my new pain specialist when he gets my records to set up an appointment. I Have enough oxycodone to last until Jan 18th.
Posted 12/29/2011 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
So glad that your appointment went well! yeah

Hugs, Robin

Post Edited (crazykitty) : 12/29/2011 4:32:37 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/30/2011 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
Will keep you all posted on whats going on and the results of the tests. Going back to my Dr, in 3 weeks.
Posted 12/31/2011 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck,, in my case I have been left hanging, 4 years of this nonsense,, wondering how I stay alive with all the pain,, infections, numbness, tingling,, its insane,, my PCP is in way over his head and I dont have the strength to start over again,, I think its to late anyway, I am sure its going to be life long,, and thats a horrible thought,, I think if they could clear up these infection in my salivary glands and sinuses,, I would probably feel better,, at least one thing would be fixed,, life is not fun right now
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