Saw my Rheumatologist today

I really, really liked him. He had looked at all of my bloodwork before he even came in the room. It was over 10 pages long! He knew everything that was going on with me. I was diagnosed(for sure) with Fibromyalgia by him. Before, doctors "thought" I had it, but I had never gotten a sure diagnosis. Now I do. He did the Fibromyalgia presure point test and all but one hurt me. I couldn't believe how much it hurt when he was barely pressing in that area. He put me on Savella. I hope it helps with all of this pain.

I am also being tested for Lupus and RA because my fingers swell and are always stiff. He thinks there is something else going on and of course, he doesn't think i have Lyme disease, lol. I expected him to think that so I will just sit back and let him run these tests since Lyme can trigger or mimic these diseases. It's better to know anyway. So, we will see. Oh, and he is checking for Lyme disease again through a regular lab. I told him that I trusted Igenex and that the test will probably come back negative because these labs don't check for all significant bands. I'm not sure he knew what I was talking about, lol. Either way, what I wanted was to get the pain under control, and since I now know it is Fibro, I can only hope that the medicine works.

I really liked him though. He was very smart and knew alot....except for Lyme Disease, but I'm not worried. I will deal with Lyme Disease the natural way and on my own.

Anyway, I'm babbling. I go back in two weeks for results.

Cajungrl,

I'm glad that you found a doctor that you are comfortable with. I'm seeing a new LLMD in NY later this morning and anxious to get a new opinion from someone who actually knows about Lyme disease. While I like my ID and neuro doctors and believe they have been trying to help me, I don't think they know much about Lyme.

Just curious, did you start with lyme and then develop Fibro or were you diagnosed in the reverse order?

Hope that the new meds help to relieve your pain.

Fibromyalgia is not a disease, it is a collection of loosely associated symptoms. Many things can cause these symptoms, including magnesium deficiency, hypothyroid, adrenal fatigue, Lyme/coinfections, etc. If I were you, I would ask for these other things to be ruled out first before accepting the diagnosis...but that's just my humble opinion.

When I was told I had Fibromyalgia (actually, I had Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/Complex Regional Pain Syndrome instead, but the doctor was...less than savvy...), I started to read about it and discovered many interesting things about what else could mimic the pain, stiffness and fatigue. Nutritional issues came up during my research, and so I started taking more magnesium -- the "fibro" went away shortly after. So was it a magnesium deficiency, or magnesium-responsive Fibro? I'll never know...I'm just glad the magnesium fixed the problem...wish Lyme was that easy to "cure," LOL!

Take care,

Hi CajunGrl,

I think we may use the same style stategy! I use the "regular" docs for what I can because it is usually covered by insurance and gives me useful information. Then I take the info to my lyme docs and it helps them know what other tests etc. they may want to add, to get the whole picture. A lyme-friendly nurse practitioner once told me a funny "joke". She said "Use 'em and lose 'em"-----meaning use them for what they're good for (how they will be useful), and then "dump" them when they are no longer useful or cooperative. This has worked for me so far!

Hope you get all the help you need. Best wishes, bablymers mom

Hey Denise,

You are always thinking about me and trying to help. I really appreciate that. I am most probably going to do Dr. J's protocol but not until after I move and I am settled. I don't want to be completely off of my feet while moving. I will probably contact you many times before, during and after, so i hope you're ready, LOL.

Hey finding,

Thanks hun! How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while.

Hey CG!!
So glad you found a doc that you are comfortable with! I was under tx for my fibro for a while, but then started butting heads with the doc - he had a real attitude problem! Most of the 'fibro' pain I was dealing with has subsided - for now anyway.
I would be interested in how well you do on the Savella, as it has only recently been approved for use here in the U.S.

Oh CG!!!!
I know what you mean about the nurses & staff not being all there!! I have a pretty good GP, but the staff & nurses quite often get in the way. It sometimes seems as if they are actively working against the doc or me! It's a shame that we, as patients, have to look up drug interactions & such so that we don't end up in the E-room!! Fortunately I have a really good Pharmacist that is on the watch as well!!

I do hope you are able to figure out a way to get from tramadol to Savella safely. I am quite interested in how well Savella works for you, as I go into a pain cycle from time to time & so far only hydrocodone (& it has to be at least 10mg) will even make a dent in the pain. I still wind up sitting around like a bump because it hurts too bad to walk or do anything.

As always, I wish you the best of luck!!!
Trav.

Kodak,

He/she can list the initials of the LLMD on here but not the entire name. We do this to protect our LLMD's. You can send betterhealth an email if they have it listed on the forum or vice versa. If you need help adding your email, let me know.