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Doctors and Fibro

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Posted 4/8/2011 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry if I am asking so many questions but now that I have the official diagnosis of Fibro, I want to learn more about it. So my question now is, I know that there are many things that come with Fibro but what happens when you go to the doc for something that is concerning you. But you don't know if it's something to worry about. Do you find that BECAUSE of the Fibro diagnosis, that any complaints that you make are not taken as seriously? Does that even make sense? Sorry, my mind is all over the place today.
Posted 4/8/2011 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Sherry, I see a board certified Internist who is a diplomate for my fibro and everything else.  If I need a specialist he will give me a good name, too.  I've never seen a rheumatologist for fibro.  Internists treat the whole body and that makes it easy for me...one doctor for my many ailments.  smilewinkgrin

 

Aches and pains...I just gut it out.  But, when my heart palpitations started, I wasn't ultra concerned because I knew they were a symptom you could have with fibro but I wasn't taking chances and was thoroughly checked out.  Yes, it was just fibro and this did give me peace of mind. 

If I have a new symptom, I will generally stop and think, will this kill me?  I usually let things go and see if I'm better.  But, if you are having severe cramping in the abdomen, bad headaches...things like that....it's best to be checked out.  If you are having knee or hip pain, wait it out a while.  Most generally it will get better.  I find if I wait long enough, things go away but something else crops up.

I rarely have complaints.  I know what fibro does so I really don't say a whole lot.  about a year ago my doctor told me to start telling him anything that was bothering me because I never did.  I do think if you run to the doctor for every little ache and pain, you eventually won't be taken seriously.  But, for me, if I call the doctor because something is really bothering me, they get me right in because I rarely complain about any of my illnesses.  The doctors can't do a whole lot about fibro anyway and I'm not willing to take a bunch of medication for it so I just tell my doctor, "I'm fine, thank you" when he asks how I'm doing.  I think he loves me!  tongue

Sherrine  

Posted 4/8/2011 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I have been lucky enough to have really good drs. here. They have always been really good about checking things out thoroughly to make sure its not just the fibro. Never be afraid to mention something new to your dr. If he blows it off as just fibro then it is time to find another dr. It is not always fibro.

My back has been bothering me lately and I talked to my radiation dr. about it. We both agree that it is probably a fibro flare but we are going to do an MRI just to make sure the cancer is not in my back now. If you are experiencing something new please have it checked out. I wish I had, I have always been fatigued with the fibro but in 2009 it got to the point where I was having terrible issues with being able to wake up and stay awake during work. I just figured it was my fibro getting worse and told my dr. that my fibro had gotten to the point where I didn't feel I could work anymore. He agreed to help me with getting disability which I received in March.

In July of last year I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. One of the symptoms is extreme fatigue. I dont blame my doctor because I think if I had explained how much the fatigue had changed he would have ordered more testing.

Please never take something for granted you never know when getting it checked out could change your life.

Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 4/8/2011 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sherry,

I know exactly what you mean. For me this diagnosis came because I thought Drs were trying to figure out why I have excruciating pain on my right side under my ribs. The pain is still there but now is it being written off as part of FM? Does anyone really know?
Posted 4/8/2011 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Sherry, I know what you mean. I feel like a hypochondriac or I feel I am viewed that way b/c I am always sick!!!

I have enjoyed remission after my resection in Nov but now I have a raging case of arthritis and fibro. I think doctors who are up with current theory understand fibo has a lot to do with a sleep disorder and other hormone disregulations, nevertheless, I feel bad about having it. I know years ago, they just didn't know much about it, mostly women got it, so they said it was all in our heads. Now, they know different. I hope at least... Sorry you got the fibro. It seems like a lot of us with auto immune diseases have very similar problems, doesn't it? I have inflammatory arthritis and fibro on top. I hope you have some success with getting relief. I have good days and bad days.

Did you see a rheumatologist? Sometimes, you get arthritis with IBD, as I am sure you know. They need to run some blood tests and do x rays to rule things out. Do seek treatment though and don't feel bad about wanting to feel better and be out of pain. Life is too short!! I take meds or I couldn't leave the house.

Posted 4/8/2011 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
If you build a good relationship with your doctor, one who believes in and treats fibromyalgia, then he/she will not take lightly any complaints you may have.
I have a wonderful rheumy. He answers all my questions no matter how stupid they may seem (and I have asked a few dillies), explains why certain meds might or might not work and will send me for tests IF I feel concerned about any new symptoms. And, most importantly, he will refer me to someone else if he feels my complaint/symptom is something out of his league.
I, like Sherrine, will wait a few days to see if the symptoms/pains I am experiencing will move or go away. Most of the time they do.
Posted 4/8/2011 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks ladies :) I don't run to the doc for every ache and pain....if I did that I would be spending thousands on co-pays! lol No, I am just afraid that when I DO go for something that needs attention that my doc is not going to take me seriously. For instance, I have an appt with my primary in two weeks to see about this constant foot pain I've been having. It's mostly my left and my Rheumy thinks that it's possibly a heel spur (though my toes hurt too) or Plantar Faciitis. It's been like this for quite a while and it's getting worse so I don't THINK(?) it's fibro related. I am majorly gun shy when it comes to doctors believing me. I've had some doozies of doctors over the years.

Btw, I have to see my primary first for everything because I have a HMO. If she can't handle it, THEN she sends me out to a specialist.
Posted 4/8/2011 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
A lot of us have plantar faciitis.  I had it really bad but then tried Birkenstock shoes and that took care of it.  It took several months but it worked.  I told another friend about this and she had the same problem and also the same results.

 

Sherrine

Posted 4/8/2011 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
Sherrine, did you have to wear that "boot" at night for your PF?
Posted 4/9/2011 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
I just have to say, I find this forum so interesting.  I come here and read what I have been living...it's like..WOW, I'm not crazy!!!  As a rule, most of my docs have been pretty good, just a few that needed fed to the lions! smilewinkgrin Most of them tell me I am not a problem patient, I am an interesting one. smilewinkgrin
Posted 4/9/2011 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
That's a nice thing and what a doctor should say!!!
Posted 4/9/2011 12:16 PM (GMT 0)
It certainly is a nice thing, and I have had 4 different doctors say it, so I think I found myself some prizes among the crowd!

When my neuro told me I had sleep apnea, I thought he was nuts.  He says, "open your mouth for me."  Then he says, "Yup, you have a small mouth, little breathing passages."  At that point I asked him to put the little mouth thing in writing so I could show it to my family..he laughed.  I love my neuro, he is such a funny guy, very nice...one of the few doctors I never get doctoritis with.  I am very comfortable with him, he's an every day type of person. smilewinkgrin

Posted 4/9/2011 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I am late to this party, but I just wanted to say that there can be a danger of other health issues being overlooked when you have been diagosed with Fibro. My NP is my PCP and she has known me for ten years. She doesn't take things lightly, but I think that is because she is aware of, and treats , many of my other health issues. I do agree that a good relationship w/a primary care doctor or NP is essential. I have seen many specialists. Some of them are really wacky. LOL I love my orthopedic surgeon and his NP. They have helped me out of the dark abyss of pain and back into the light. The two rheumy's I have seen were expensive and basically worthless to me. They did more harm than good. I guess the bottom line is, if you are concerned about a symptom, don't automatically chock it up to Fibro. It is very common, for instance, to have Fibro and an inflammatory type of arthritis, and/or OA all at the same time. That is the boat I am in at the moment.

Best wishes to you,
V
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