New Here, could really use some advice on finding a good PCP who understands fibro is REAL!

Hi, new to the boards. I am so sick of this and was hoping someone could recommend a pcp in the South Hills of Pittsburgh area who understands Fibro. I am a nervous wreck when I have to drive into the city and am praying there is someone compassionate near me.I lost my health insurance and am looking into getting it, but I can not afford to go to my nuero anymore. I was in the er thinking I had kidney stones for the 10th time, but it turned out it is just some degeneration of the spine as well as narrowing. I am so sick of being tired and hurting. It is so hard to take care of my family. I am on neurontin and prozac at the moment, but feel a better dr could help me out so I could live somewhat normally. At the moment I am having a flare up, and find I get severely depressed and I feel nobody understands. I just want to lock myself in my room and avoid everyone. :(

Post Edited (Fibro bites) : 8/22/2014 3:54:07 PM (GMT-6)

Hi, Fibro, and welcome! I live in Florida but had to go throught finding new doctors when I moved here from northern Ohio. There are several things you can try. First of all, most insurances count an. Internist as a PCP. They have more education than a general practioner. You want to have yor doctor be board certified. This is important. If you can see a rheumatologist, that is good too. To make sure you have an accurate diagnosis.

Now get out your local phone book and go to the Yellow Pages and check the doctors' ads. They sometimes tell what illnesses they treat or if they are board certified. If you find some that you are interested in. Go to healthgrades.com or vitals.com, type in their name and you can see ratings, where they went to school, and also read patient reviews. This does help.

Another suggestion is to call your local hospital and see if they can refer you to a doctor that treats fibro patients. You also can check to see if there is a fibromyalgia support group in your area and in KNOW they can guide you to good doctors. Your hospital, chamber of commerce, or the phone book could help you see if there is a support group near you.

Once you have decided on a doctor call and ask if they treat fibro patients before you make your appointment.

Be sure to read Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum. There are links to good info about fibro and you can learn a lot there. Good starting links would be A Thorough Explanation of Fibromyalgia and What Else Could It Be. There is even a link to fibro doctors in the states. All of Fibro 101 is good so do read it.

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

You're welcome! Another good source is your hairdresser. They seem to know everything because they talk to their clients daily. I was looking for the best rheumatologist two years ago and asked my hairdresser while I was getting my hair cut. She said she had a customer with rheumatoid arthritis and she just loved her rheumy so she called the client right on the spot and got the doctor's name for me. I went home, checked him out on healthgrades.com and he was highly rated and his reviews were superb. I made an appointment and I love this guy! So give that a try, too.

Sherrine

acheybody, that is exactly what I need someone I can talk with who understands. Husband shows no compassion. He thinks this is a bogus disease. ERRRRR
Hairdresser, I do tell mine everything. lol

We also do not have a local support group..it helps me to come here to discuss this disease. Most folks who do nothave it are rather clueless about it