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I haved been dupped by doctor.

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 5/6/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
I just went to my doctor last week because I had been having some digestive issues along with the
continuous pain in my ribs. When I had gone to him before he acted like the rib cage pain was coming
from fibromyalgia. This time he treated me like a dog and said that fibromyalgia does not cause rib pain
and frankly he did not know what was causing my rib pain. He said that the fibromyalgia pressure points
were not in that area. I thought that rib pain could be referred pain from other places in body and
fibromyalgia caused widespread body pain. I left his office in tears. I am at the end of my teter. I do not
know what to do at this point. He told me to go to a rhematologist, but there is none in my area since I
live in a rural area. I even suggested costochondritis and he didn't think that it was that. I really need
some suggestions on what to do. I can not even wear a bra for pain under my breasts against my
ribs and also around on the sides. Stressed out in West Virginia and losing all faith in doctors!!!!!! smhair
Posted 5/6/2013 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Trama Fibro, and welcome!  Well, it might be costochondritis and your doctor isn't well-versed in these illnesses.  Many on this forum have costochondritis and fibro, too.  Fibromyalgia affects the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  Your ribcage has muscles. You do need another doctor, I think...preferably a board certified one who treats fibro patients.

 

I have rib pain and I have costochondritis.  But, my doctor has me taking ibuprofen with food and that helps keep it under control.  I also take a muscle relaxer and I'm sure that's probably helping with rib pain, too.  I also do stretching exercises to help keep those muscles from being so tight.

 

Please read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum.  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  Good starting links would be the ones called Symptoms, What Else Could It Be, and A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia.  There also is a link all about costochonditits you might want to check out and see if this sounds like what you are going through.

 

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 5/6/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,

I hate when doctors treat us like that. It just isn't right, but I think in a lot of these instances, the doctor doesn't really know. I would bet you have costo. I have it too. If I bend over wrong or pull a muscle in the rib area, it feels like a heart attack or something, I can't even move. Luckily it doesn't last long. The pain that is and the muscle cramp. I use to take soma (muscle relaxer) for this, but the doctor didn't like it because it is considered a "buzz" drug. So I take flexeril now. I don't like it, it gives me a hangover.

I agree with Sherrine, find another doctor. One that believes in fibromyalgia. And "fibro 101" sure does have a lot of information on it. Do check it out.

I hope you are feeling better. Keep posting and welcome to the forum!

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 5/6/2013 9:51 PM (GMT 0)
I just wonder why I don't hardly have any pain when I am lying down. It starts as soon as I get up and start moving around. Does Costo act like this? Just curious
Posted 5/6/2013 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like my pain.
What I did for nearly a month is wear a camie instead of a bra. I wrapped myself in my spa wrap (get it from Wally World) and took my pain meds.
Posted 5/7/2013 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
So far, the only doctor that's really 'supported' me with FM was a really great and insightful rheumy. I've not found a really good primary care doc yet for FM.

My personal advice would be don't just go to any old doctor. Don't waste time, energy, or funds on a doc that isn't well versed, so to speak, in FM. I'd say, even travel even if you have to (though I realize its a financial sacrifice). I have traveled to other states when I injured my low back ligaments to specialists and it was well worth it!!!

For instance, before I was diagnosed with FM, I thought for sure I had Lupus for several years (though I do not). I got sick of doctors dismissing me cause I knew something was significantly 'off' with me and I had lots of issues including malar-butterfly rashes on my face. I decided to quit wasting time and go to the best of the best rheumy's that are experts on Lupus, the one's that the Lupus foundation refer to. I know I'd get something conclusive with them. Well, I did! They out-ruled lupus and diagnosed me with FM and finally things made sense... and the doc was so knowledgeable and took the time to reassure me and explain to me thoroughly about FM and some of the things I could do to help myself. I needed that diagnosis for peace of mind cause I was going crazy.

In short, my time researching which doctors were *qualified* was completely worth it. Had I gone to any old rheumy, I may not have left with a diagnosis, or even if I did, not a thorough explanation to reassure me.

I know its challenging living in a rural area because you have less options, but I would totally travel for a great doctor, personally.. if I have the money which is a challenge.. but that is how I live my life. I have been burned by doc's that don't know much.. even experienced a malpractice issue with one on more than one occasion. Its my body and my health AND my money and I'm not just putting it anywhere... that doc has got to EARN my business.

/rant
Posted 5/7/2013 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
CC Lady, I agree, some of them do more harm than good! Of course, finding the good ones can be quite a challenge. Good for you for persevering....I'm glad you found them.

Trama Fibro, my pain has pretty much always gone away when I lie down, too. It's always amazed me, actually. The times when that's not been the case, something's really been wrong...such as with my appendix and gallbladder issues.  (You said you've been having digestive issues - could either of those organs be a possible cause?) 


As I understand it, Fibro can cause pain pretty much anywhere! It makes us ultra-sensitive in general. Especially in the rib area - there are enough tender points around there to convince even the most old-school doctor, who knows the first think about Fibro - I would think. Don't let this jerk get to you!

Debbie

Posted 5/7/2013 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
Trama- it's not in your head, the pain in your ribs are true. I get them and I use heating pad and ibuprophen sometimes. You should buy some of those heat wraps for the back. They go well around your ribs and then your not tied down to a heating pad. Most of our discomfort can be taken care of from remedies. I dont even go to the Dr. for fibro discomfort anymore. I just do basic remedies from home and give it a few days to work it self out. I wouldn't waste my time and money to Dr's that treat like that. I hope you get some relief soon.
Posted 5/8/2013 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi trama, and welcome to the forum.

I travel 95 miles round trip to my rheumatologist, who isn't awfully far from northern WV. He's at Jefferson Regional south of Pgh. He has at least one other office. Rheumys are awfully hard to find because they are paid poorly and have to take 2 residencies. It often takes a month or two to get an appointment.

I have slipping rib syndrome. My ribs on the right side are not attached together in the front because of an accident, and they rub over each other, sometimes even clicking. The only "cure" is removing pieces.

I have been managing pain by getting facet joint injections in the thoracic spine to numb the sensory nerves. The next step is RFA, radiofrequency ablation or "burning" the nerves. For now I'm not getting that done because there's something like 20% chance of getting a lung puncture. If there are pain clinics with anesthesiologists who treat pain near you, they can do the injections. Since they are thoracic you can't see just any doc who does the lumbar injections.
Posted 5/8/2013 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for all the replies and the advice. My doctor is getting very old and to tell you the truth I believe that the only patients he wants to see right now are the easy ones, you know the ones that
need blood pressure screening. The only reason I still go to him is that he knows I do have fibro for the most part but he wants me not to complain to him about it. He writes me a pain script for vicodin and sends me on my way. He does do complete blood labs every six months. I just had one done and will be going up to see him this Monday. I will be taking a copy of my last blood work with me and I will be able to compare the testing to see if anything has changed. In the meantime I have found a Rhematologist within 65 miles of my home. I just need a referral from my primary to make an appointment.
Posted 5/8/2013 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you! Get the referral and follow through. Have your history and questions and concerns ready!

Congrats!
Posted 5/9/2013 3:28 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on finding an RA doctor, hope he/she can help you better and listen to you...Keep us posted as we do care.
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