5 blood tests and nothing.

I've posted very little since joining but wanted to get my musings out there and see what you all have to say. I've finally made it to the doc. I had to quite my job because the pain got so bad, I pushed and pushed and then one day last week I almost blacked out at work. Scared me to death and I wuite that day. I got a sliding scale fee at the clinic and I went. The Doc is a general prac. and after what seemed like forever, I got the impression he was totally humoring me he ordered 5 blood tests all of which came back normal. So he tells me it must be musclo-skeletal (how ever you spell it) I already knew this and now I don't know where to go from here. He recommended Ibuprophin and when I reminded that I have had allergic reactions to it he said I could try Mobic and Physical therepy and to me it seemed like a brush off.

What do I say to this man to get him to understand that something very real is going on here and just because he can't "detect" it doesn't mean it does not exist.
Have any of you taken Mobic? Any suggestions regarding what I should tell this Doc (my only choice in Docs) what kind of other tests should I ask for? etc. I'm at a loss here and don't know where to go from here. Thank you for any and all suggestion!

Sincerely Jen

I agree with MJ. See a rheumatologist. Get copies of the tests to take with you, and it will save you lots of time. GPs just don't have the extra training a rheumatologist does.

For some reason I don't understand, it seems docs have to send us to PT before prescribing something that actually works.
I think it's to get the insurance to pay for real treatment.

If you don't have insurance go to a rheumatologist anyway.

I would definately see a rhuemy. The Mobic ( Meloxicam) he suggested is a script
NSAID an anti inflammatory med that is usually prescribed for arthritis...I was on it
for arthritis.

A rheumy will take all the appropriate steps to figure out what you need. Taking
Mobic if not needed is taking an unecessary risk, it has alot of potential risks that
come with it. Hope you can find answers and relief soon. Getting a diagnosis can
be so frustrating...hang in there...answers will come.

Hugs, Robin

Well, I guess I have to disagree with the majority here.  Ibuprofen DOES help some people with fibromyalgia.  It's helped me for 23 years and I haven't had to resort to narcotics and hope I never have to.  Many sites mention ibuprofen as a medication to try for fibro.  I know  you can't take it but maybe there is something else in that class of medication that you could take.  Just a thought. 

 

Jen, I think your doctor was trying to rule out other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibromyalgia.  Did you ever read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum?  There are links to good info about fibro and you will learn a lot there.  There is a link called What Else Could It Be.  Check it out.  You will see what I think your doctor was trying to rule out with the blood tests.  Since there is no test for fibro, this is usually the first step.  Also, doctor's can't detect anything with fibro.  That's why they have to go the route to rule out the other things that they CAN detect.  See what I mean?  When everything is ruled out, a diagnosis of fibro is usually given.

 

I use Ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements and vitamin D3 supplements to help with my pain and fatigue.  There are links all about the supplements in Fibro 101 and how they work in your body.

 

Gentle exercise is important, too.  I walk or swim for my exercise.  I did have to start out slowly but have managed to build myself up now.  I feel much better after a walk...not talking about jogging here...a walk.  I have more energy, too.  Also, there are some good stretching exercises on Fibro 101 that might help you, too.

 

So, maybe give this doc a chance.  He might be giving good advice.  But, if you really don't think they know what they are doing, then, yes, see a rheumatologist like other members have suggested.  Let us know what you do.  We really care about you.

Sherrine