Horrible visit, Doc didnt seem to care what I said...

So I went back to my rheumatologist today. Horrible. She pretty much ignored the fact that I dont want to take any more prescription medications; she wants me to try Savella now, even gave me a trial pack. I was so upset that I broke down in the office, because none of my doctors seem to take my weight concerns seriously. She even tried to stick me on another anti-depressant, and I flat out told her absolutely not. She doesnt like that Im not sleeping (and duh, neither do I) and wanted trazadone (?) or something. I told her I would take melatonin instead.

Im just so upset now. Do I give this last med a chance? Or do I say the heck with it and give up? She is sending me to physical therapy/exercise, once we find a doc that takes my insurance (its an employer-provided low-end insurance that practically no one accepts; I have to drive almost 60 miles because thats the only rheumatologist that takes it). Im hoping that will help me. And she refused to write an Rx for a B12 shot, even though I asked specifically for it so that I could get more energy. I just dont know what to do.

Also found out that I am being sent Monday to have my intestines scanned to rule out Chron's disease, and my step-mother (she works at my gastroenterologist's office) says that in her opinion (not a doc, of course), I have a fructose intolerance. My test results for that should be back in the next couple days.

I need some advice here. Would be grateful for anything you all can give me.

Jaden,

I can see why this dr bugs you. I hate to feel like a guinea pig and put something in my body without good reason.

The doctor who treats me for fibro really stresses sleep, too; in fact, 2 of my long-term meds are for sleep (off-label, that is...Nortriptyline and Clonopin.) But I listen to him, because he always listens to me. I don't know it they're right, but they do seem to think that without adequate sleep, you're going to keep on feeling awful.

My experience with PT was the same as MRM's. Made everything worse. Just too hard-core, I guess, the old bod wasn't ready for it. I keep thinking I'll start doing my own modified version, without the bands. It sounds like such a great idea, wonder why I don't do it.

Debbie

Jaden, yesterday was my very first appointment with a rheumatologist...ever!  My doctor listened to me and of course the first thing out of his mouth was Lyrica, Savella, and Cymbalta.  I told him I didn't not want to take any of these because of the side effects.  I have enough to deal with now and have heard too many negative accounts about these medications.  You know what?  He totally understood.  I think because I gave good reasons why I don't want to take things, he did understand.  So, he prescribed Tramadol and Robaxin for me.  Those I was willing to try. 

 

You know your body better than any doctor.  You have every right to have a say in what you are putting in it.  You also need to feel comfortable with what you do or else anxiety starts nudging in.  If I were you, I would try the melatonin first.  This is used successfully by a lot of people.  Also, change your nighttime habits.  No caffeine, no heavy meals before bedtime, and also put yourself on a sleep schedule.  All of this will help the melatonin work better for you.  Because you would be taking something you are more confident about, anxiety won't keep you awake either.  Then, if this doesn't work, you most likely will want to try what the doctor has suggested.  I would let her know this, too. 

 

I've done this about osteoporosis medication.  I don't want to take them but am told I need to.  I am trying something first and I told my doctor that if my bone scan is worse next time, I will be more open to trying some medication.  Doctors appreciate this.  Giving explanations really help a lot.

 

I'm sorry you don't have the luxury of a variety of doctors to choose from.  If this is about the only rheumy in your insurance plan, you will have to learn to work with them.  You should try to explain why you don't want to do certain things, too.  And, remember, doctors can have a bad day, too.

 

Sherrine

Jaden, all the meds are worth a try when you have fibro pain, at least to me. Fibro seems to be helped by different meds in different people. Some of the antidepressants are prescribed, not for lessening depression, but because some can help with pain in low doses. Maybe your doc was thinking along that line. I've been put on other migraine meds, in the Savella group, unfortunately didn't get enough relief to make the side effects tolerable.

When my rheumatologist got sick my pain doc was my recourse. He had all the same medicines to try. I tried just about everything, but got my best pain relief from just 3 tramadol 50mg a day. It raises serotonin and makes me feel happier as a nice side effect.

Beware with tramadol though - if you are taking anything else that can raise serotonin you have to watch for serotonin syndrome. I had it bad with Flexeril, turned beet red. I was on Elavil (antidepressant) for a while because a low dose of that is supposed to help with fibro pain, possibly because it raises serotonin, but after a couple of months I started getting bad hot flushes at night, realized I was getting them in the day too - oops, SS starting up again. When I go for surgery I stop tramadol because I don't know what I might be given unknowingly. I even have to make sure not to take more than 4 tramadol a day because that alone can bring on SS. Don't be afraid of the drug, just be informed. This doesn't happen to everyone. I'm very sensative.

I experienced weight gain on the SSRI's, but not on the SNRI's (the Savella class). On a side note, I did experience an energy boost on Savella as well.

Also, I'm not sure what your B-12 level is, but if you were not deficient in B12 then it is ill-advised to get B-12 shots. If that was the case, however, I think the doc should have explained it to you rather than flat out refusing.

I know this whole roller coaster ride of fibro can be so frustrating. Some days, when our pain is at it's worst, we're willing to try most anything; at other times we get tired of all the side effects and wonder if we'll ever find a med that's "right for us".

For the moment, I've found one for me (Cymbalta), but it's taken a lot of trial and error to get there.

Best wishes to you in your journey!

Hi, just stopped in to say I hope you great success with Savella but also don't be ashamed to stop it if it just upsetting you.

lol *gasp* take care