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Psychiatrists and Fibromyalgia

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Posted 6/14/2012 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
What are your thoughts on seeing a Psychiatrist for your Fibromyalgia's emotional toll? I have so many doctors I have to see for so many conditions and I'm so tired of it. But, I've never thought about a Psychiatrist for the emotional pain. Can they be helpful? Can they help prescribe medications that can improve Fibromyalgia symptoms such as anxiety and loss of interest in living life? Mind you, I'm on Cymbalta which is a wonderful drug for me...but I'm noticing as of late that I'm starting to get numb to all of this. I feel like its not helping me as far as coping and getting rid of pain.

I posted another commend re: xanax and fibromyalgia. I tried taking leftover xanax I had from a year ago yesterday evening due to anxiety over my medical debts, pain and illness. I woke up the next morning and I wasn't in pain! I was shocked and knew this had to do with the xanax. My Rheumatologist hasn't wanted to prescribe xanax to me because "Cymbalta can help with anxiety". I've had anxiety and severe depression yrs ago and the anxiety is coming back. But I'm on a high dose of antidepressants which help me. I love LIFE. I just don't like mine very much right now. So...is it wiser to see a Psychiatrist for the coping skills and their better knowledge on drugs like this? Would they have medications that would contribute positively towards my Fibromyalgia treatment?

And what about muscle pain? Muscle relaxers...Do Rheumatologists prescribe this? Or do I need to go to a Psychiatrist to get something to relax my mind and body?

I am at my whits end and I'm so frustrated. I'm 29 and have no one to help me when I need it. No family, just friends but they're often busy living their normal lives. I pray ALOT and try to meditate and relax with warm baths. But it seems like what I'm doing is still not enough. And what my Rheumatologist is doing is also not enough.

Should I add a Psychiatrist to my long list of Dr's??? Ughhh

Your thoughts? sad
Posted 6/14/2012 12:59 PM (GMT 0)
My psychiatrist is mind and body, so he helps me with fibromyalgia. I get adderall from him for the fatigue. So that is good. My psychologist counsels me and we talk about the fibromyalgia. So yes, psychiatrists can help. Make sure he/she is mind and body though and believes in fibromyalgia.

Good luck,

Hugs, Karen
Posted 6/14/2012 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think it's important for anyone that has a chronic illness to find a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. I was seeing a psychotherapist to help me deal with other stressful situations but she also helped me deal with my chronic illnesses. I didn't get any medications from her but my family doc gave me Klonopin for anxiety which also helps me when my muscles cramp up or ache on me. I use it sparingly tho because I don't want the addiction aspect of it.
Posted 6/14/2012 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Everyone is so different with this illness.  I do not see a psychiatrist.  My rheumatologist prescribes my muscle relaxer (Robaxin) and it workd great for me.  My GP could have prescribed it too. 

 

I have not been pain free in decades.  That doesn't usually happen with fibro.  You just need to find what helps control your pain.  I use ibuprofen with food, extra strength Tylenol, malic acid/magnesium supplements, vitamin D3 supplements, Robaxin, and an alternative pain reliever called Curamin.  Plus I walk daily, do gentle stretching, and get a massage once a month.  All of this keeps me up and going. 

 

Be sure to read Fibro 101 if you haven't already.  There is a load of good info there, too.

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/14/2012 8:58 PM (GMT 0)
Gp4- a psy. Dr. Can be helpful if you need prescriptions for depression or anxiety. My psy. Dr. Doesn't do much therapy work. You need a therapist for that. I think it's worth seeing a psy. Dr. and a therapist for chronic illness. My psy. Dr. was the one that herd my cry when I was at lowest point of life. They can be very expensive, mine cost more then all my Dr's. Psy. Dr's usually doesn't order muscle relaxants, but they do order meds for anxiety. Maybe if you get your anxiety under controlled, your muscles will relax. You have to be careful because a lot of anxiety meds can become addictive. I have learned to use natural alternatives to keep my anxiety down. There are so many things that you can do and practice when anxiety is high. If you decide on seeing a psy. Dr. Make sure you do some homework on that person. You want them to have knowledge in fibro and have work with patients before.
Posted 6/15/2012 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
I see a psychiatrist. Not much help in dealing with physical pain but they are there to help with feeling down and having anxiety. I take klonopin and my GP actually wanted my psychiatrist to up the dosage as it does help relax muscles.
Good luck. I'm not having such a red hot day either.
Posted 6/17/2012 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your information. This is extremely helpful for me. I actually started looking for support groups in my area as well.

One other question though--is it alright to ask my Rheumatologist for muscle relaxers? I just always thought that if he hadn't offered it than it meant he doesn't use it to treat Fibromyalgia.

I don't want to start adding meds but I cannot work, cannot sleep, cannot do alot right now and somethings gotta change soon.

THANKSSSS!
Posted 6/17/2012 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
For myself....I try to limit the medications I take and have been blessed to work with a Counselor/Therapist (Not a Psychiatrist) to help me deal with chronic pain.

I wanted to and have found natural ways to deal with any emotional times that happen to come up.

Getting a good night's sleep,
daily exercise which is crucial to raising endorphin levels,
eating healthy (I eat all Organic),
limiting caffeine to keep anxiety low,
writing in a journal,
spending time out in nature to be calm and enjoy the beauty,
spending time with family and friends doing things that bring me absolute joy and laughter. Again, this will naturally raise endorphin levels and keep the cortisone levels (stress levels) down,
Daily meditation/prayer
Yoga
Not smoking (if applicable)
Acupuncture
Massage

Again...this is just for me personally as I don't want to rely on a medication to do something that I can do naturally. *Obviously I realize that there are some people who are diagnosed with an actual anxiety disorder....I am just speaking of the natural highs/lows, frustrations, and anger that come with getting adjusted to living with chronic pain.

I would caution trying to use an anxiety med like Xanax to get rid of pain. That is not it's intention and as others mentioned...most people will never be "pain free" with Fibromyalgia. It is about good days and bad and finding ways to manage this.

An actual muscle relaxer like Robaxin, Skelaxin, or Flexeril are widely used "as needed" for the bad days of Fibro.

And as Sherrine mentions...it's very important to stay mobile. The catch 22 with people in the early stages of dianosis is that they feel tired or feel pain so they stay inside on the couch or bed to rest/sleep. This will backfire as it will cause more muscle stiffness and soreness and cause the loss of actual muscle mass.

So, the exercise part is so important both physically and emotionally.

Finding a good Rheumatologist who specializes in Fibro should help you come up with a comprehensive program that includes dozens of modalities to help you manage your symptoms. And yes, finding someone to talk to that can offer some emotional exercises to help with your pain is a good idea. I would try everything you possibly can naturally before jumping on an anxiety med to "block" your pain....this could lead down the wrong direction.

I wish you well.
Posted 6/18/2012 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
While I was in the hospital and rehab, a  psychiatrist every day once I was able to talk with him. He offered to see me after I got out of the hosp saying he would just take what the insurance pd with no copay. Nice guy. I knew I was not going to be able to drive for 6 months and hated to ask my parents to take me to yet another dr office.

I got really depressed especially after quitting my job. I realize i am depressed, I was already fed up with all the pain with the fibro and other pains. Now with memory problems, seeing problems, and staying home all day except for dr and therapy appts,  I need to talk to someone.

I am going to call his office tomorrow and see if i can start seeing him after the neuro appt on 7.2.12 want to see what he has to say so i know what i am facing in the future.

 

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