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Doc called, wants me to have mental health check...

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Posted 1/20/2016 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Oh well, I'm crazy as a bat. turn Anyway, wow, I have to say I was hit in the gut with a sucker punch. Blindsided. This call came yesterday from my doc's nurse. I have to say, I have been in a bit of shock ever since. I've had fibromyalgia since after Vietnam days, only diagnosed about 4 years ago, and been on one tramadol every morning, one cymbalta every night, and that has helped more than anything. But, no cure of course.

So, I'm wondering if any of y'all have had a doc to request a mental health exam? At least she isn't a fibro denier doc, like my last VA doc was.
Posted 1/20/2016 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
What an insult!!!! I know some women's doctors have implied that their symptoms are all in their head or that they are hypochondriacs but it hasn't happened to me. If it did, it would be the last time I darkened that doctor's doorstep!

Gene, I am probably around your age...I'm 68 years old...and I remember the Viet Nam days and also how lousy our military were treated when they came back home...as if they really wanted to go fight in a jungle a half a world away. Many came back with PTSD which is totally understandable. I have a friend who suffered from nightmares after being in the Viet Nam war.

First of all, Gene, I do want to thank you for your service to our great country. I am so grateful for people like you. It has to be so difficult and affect you the rest of your life. It doesn't surprise me one iota that you developed fibro after coming back home. Fibromyalgia can kick in because of trauma and/or stress and I'm sure you had plenty of these when at war. Once you have fibro it easily can last you the rest of your life. A few...very few that I have heard of...have gone into remission. I've had fibro almost 29 years nonstop. No, I'm not a mental case. I suffer from chronic pain and fatigue and am just looking for help so I can have quality of life.

You actually take less medication than most on this forum. I'm glad it is helping you some. I use ibuprofen with food, Tylenol, vitamin D3, magnesium malate, and a muscle relaxer called Robaxin that has made a significant difference in my pain. I also walk daily, pace myself, and keep a positive attitude. This has helped me so much with my fibro journey. I just look at my blessings and don't dwell on my other health issues. I do enjoy life every day because of this. I'm very thankful for the good health that I DO have.

If you haven't already, go into Fibro 101...the first thread on the forum...and look for the link called Doctors Respond to New York Times Article. The article they were responding to was saying that fibro was all in our heads..not a true illness. Well, GOOD doctors came out of the woodwork to let people know what we do go through. You might print that out for your new doctor. It's not in your head! You know fibro is recognized by the American Medical Association, the American College of Rheumatology, the National Institutes of Health, the World Health Organization, just to name a few It also is recognized by many great teaching hospitals like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and the Cleveland Clinic here in the USA and I'm sure there are wonderful hospitals in other countries that recognize this illness also. It is a true illness and it isn't basically a mental health problem. Now, if you are severely depressed because of the way fibro has changed your life, it doesn't hurt to see a counselor.

While you are in Fibro 101 you might want to check out the first link which is an interview with Dr. Daniel Clauw who has been studying this illness. It explains what they think is going on. They think it's a neurological illness...not a mental health illness. Also check out the link about how to maintain a positive attitude when you suffer from chronic pain. It's very good.

Did your doctor tell the nurse to say this to you or did the nurse do this on her own. I would find that out. If she did this on her own I would report it. If the doctor requested this, I would also sit down and talk to the doctor and find out why they would make such a determination. Let her know the pain is very real and not something you have manufactured in your mind. I realize anxiety can cause some symptoms but you have already been diagnosed with fibro so you should be treated like a fibro patient. You already are taking Cymbalta which is an antidepressant used for not only depression but also for anxiety and fibromyalgia. That's why it is helping you. Other medications generally used for fibro are Lyrica and Savella. Many are like me and don't take these and find other things that help control the pain and fatigue.

I'm sure you will get others responding to this thread. Of course it's totally up to you to decide what you are going to do. I just hope this new doctor will work with you. You, after all, have hired her and she should work with you. You know we are here for you also. I hope everything works out just the way you want it to.

Sherrine
Posted 1/20/2016 6:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hello there, I am a fellow bat-ccrap crazy person lol, J/K i have had to check myself into a psychiatric hospital due to illnesses being overwhelming and i needed help coping. I have had doctors tell me to get a mental check-up a few times. I take it as they are caring for me by suggesting the screening. They can help significantly with depression/anxiety and other mental health issues you may not know you had until you see the specialist. Its always a good idea to get a check-up for mental health when you are dealing with such soul sucking diseases like fibro, its rough and we sometimes need help so done feel weird about it :)
Posted 1/21/2016 4:31 AM (GMT 0)
Gene, thank you for your service!
I'm sorry you have been treated this way. Sherrine gave you good info. I am female around your age. I've been asked by Drs. "Is every thing ok in the marriage". Like it was all in my head.
Posted 1/21/2016 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
I think this was definitely handled inappropriately. The suggestion should have come from your doctor at the very least, not relayed through a nurse. That way, you could have asked her exactly why she recommended a mental health eval. Does she think the fibro is all in your head (this is an appalling scenario), or does she think you might benefit from some CBT or counseling to help you cope with the chronic pain (many people with fibro/chronic pain can benefit from this)? Does she think you may be dealing with some anxiety or depression as a result of chronic pain (this is common too)?

It's a shocker to receive a call like that with no explanation or opportunity to ask questions. Before I agreed to a visit with a mental health professional, I would want to speak to my doctor directly to ascertain why she thought it was necessary. If it has to do with the actual fibro diagnosis itself, I would seek a second opinion. If she thinks it might just be a helpful part of a fibro treatment plan (to help you cope with the pain), it might be worth consideration. But at the very least, you deserve an explanation.
Posted 1/22/2016 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know a great deal about fibromyalgia but since I've had various problems over the years have read about it here and there. I have read that there is evidence that suggests that it could be psychosomatic.

If it fibromyalgia is psychosomatic, that doesn't mean you're making it up, and it is still very real.

I don't think you should be offended. It is a suggestion based on the research out there, and based on what I've seen no one really knows what it is. If my doctor suggested that I'd go see a psychologist (not that I don't already though).

------ So... before I hit submit I started googling this... Please read this link - is seems to mention evidence against fibro being psychosomatic :) Hope this is reassuring for you.

http://www.fmcpaware.org/fibromyalgia-the-stigma-and-the-truth.html
Posted 1/23/2016 11:20 AM (GMT 0)
It has been pretty well concluded that fibro is caused by the central nervous system that is part of the stress activation system stuck.

There are many psychological, behavioral and habitual issues that can further activate the CNS and the majority of the time we don't know they are compounding the problem.

I discovered one in myself a few months ago and my pain has dropped by about 25%. The nervous system is the slowest healing part of the body so I expect more recovery in the coming months

For me the issue went back to childhood in ways I coped with life and the behaviors involved. These issues are like asking a fish if they know they are in water.....they are often not something we are aware of.

A psychiatrist...no - a good therapist might help if they are trained in mind/body issues....few are !
Posted 1/23/2016 11:26 AM (GMT 0)
If someone says "Fibro is all in your head" they are being factual. It is a central nervous system issue and the CNS is in our heads.

Now if they are intimating it is a made up condition that is not accurate. The American Medical Association has said over 85% of the conditions presented at the GP offices are the result of the CNS stress system causing physical symptoms - body wide pain is one condition the HPA axis of the CNS signals distress.
Posted 1/26/2016 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Do you have a link to the AMA statement? I would be interested in reading it. I've heard that quote before, but have never seen an actual link to the AMA or CDC or NIH.
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