Aa
What Is Your Treatment Plan For Fibromyalgia?
Hello. I am a 25 year old female that was just recently diagnosed with fibromyalgia about a month ago (early November 2010). I now believe that I have lived with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome since I was a young adolescent. After my son was born in May of '09, I had an explosion of horrible, debilitating symptoms that left me unable to function in my everyday life. On top of having a 40 hour labor, then an emergency c-section, losing so much blood that I needed a transfusion (which I refused), and then having to come home and take care of my newborn, I was consumed by CFS and FMS.
I dealt with the chronic fatigue, excruciating pain, heat intolerance, numbness, pins and needles in my limbs, and the list goes on and on, for the past 18 months. I was lucky to get insurance coverage on October 1, 2010, and within two months I had my diagnosis. I was diagnosed by a very great rheumatologist who works at a university teaching student doctors. I consider myself lucky to have been diagnosed so quickly knowing that most people with fibromyalgia go through years and years of tests before they get their diagnosis.
I saw a pain management specialist for the first time yesterday, November 30th 2010. I had chosen him off a provider list and then did a background check and found that he had a huge following of patients that just adored him for his great bedside manner and his ability to really care for his patients. I found that this was true, although I now know that he is one of those doctors that doesn't really believe that fibromyalgia is a real "illness". He told me that he would only believe I had fibromyalgia when I showed that I have changed my diet by eliminating things like caffeine, sugar, processed food, drink lots and lots of water, etc., started light exercising, sleep and eat on a regular schedule, and all that fun stuff. I explained to him that I already eat very healthy, drink nothing but water, but I smoke somewhat and exercising is nearly impossible with my pain (but I would start trying to do it and work through the pain).
Although my pain management doctor doesn't agree with fibromyalgia, he started me on Savella ( a starter pack), Extended-Release Morphine 15mg, 2x a day, and Endocet 10mg,/325mg. 1 every 6 hours (but he said to take them for breakthrough. I'm already taking Ambien 10mg. at bedtime, Lyrica 150mg, 2x a day, and Valium 10mg, 3x a day. I seem to feel good for the first time in a long time but the morphine isn't really helping the pain unless I take percocet with it. My doc said he would probably increase it in 2 weeks. He also said to be careful with the Savella if it became overwhelming for me, which I kinda scared me and he didn't explain why he gave me that warning.
I was just wondering what everyone else's process was or is like, when and how you got diagnosed, your symptoms, and your treatment process if you are willing to share? Thanks so much, I'm new to this forum and looking for support, so HELLO to all!
I dealt with the chronic fatigue, excruciating pain, heat intolerance, numbness, pins and needles in my limbs, and the list goes on and on, for the past 18 months. I was lucky to get insurance coverage on October 1, 2010, and within two months I had my diagnosis. I was diagnosed by a very great rheumatologist who works at a university teaching student doctors. I consider myself lucky to have been diagnosed so quickly knowing that most people with fibromyalgia go through years and years of tests before they get their diagnosis.
I saw a pain management specialist for the first time yesterday, November 30th 2010. I had chosen him off a provider list and then did a background check and found that he had a huge following of patients that just adored him for his great bedside manner and his ability to really care for his patients. I found that this was true, although I now know that he is one of those doctors that doesn't really believe that fibromyalgia is a real "illness". He told me that he would only believe I had fibromyalgia when I showed that I have changed my diet by eliminating things like caffeine, sugar, processed food, drink lots and lots of water, etc., started light exercising, sleep and eat on a regular schedule, and all that fun stuff. I explained to him that I already eat very healthy, drink nothing but water, but I smoke somewhat and exercising is nearly impossible with my pain (but I would start trying to do it and work through the pain).
Although my pain management doctor doesn't agree with fibromyalgia, he started me on Savella ( a starter pack), Extended-Release Morphine 15mg, 2x a day, and Endocet 10mg,/325mg. 1 every 6 hours (but he said to take them for breakthrough. I'm already taking Ambien 10mg. at bedtime, Lyrica 150mg, 2x a day, and Valium 10mg, 3x a day. I seem to feel good for the first time in a long time but the morphine isn't really helping the pain unless I take percocet with it. My doc said he would probably increase it in 2 weeks. He also said to be careful with the Savella if it became overwhelming for me, which I kinda scared me and he didn't explain why he gave me that warning.
I was just wondering what everyone else's process was or is like, when and how you got diagnosed, your symptoms, and your treatment process if you are willing to share? Thanks so much, I'm new to this forum and looking for support, so HELLO to all!
Be very careful at the chiropractor! I WOULD NOT recommended high velocity manipulations! You really need to find out what is going on at the base of your skull, asap. That is a sign of serious neurological condition called Chiari malformation, and if thats is right you should be very careful what you let your chiro do. Get your records and mri reports and find out what is on there. You have the right to know what is wrong with you and he obviously knows something you do not. Glad your doctor is still helping you even though he doesnt believe these conditions are real. But I think you might be what it will take to get him to understand these conditions, maybe he is realizing you have something causing your symptoms and it isn't just a mysterious disease. I hope I get a doctor that is open minded.
I actually did have an MRI with contrast of my brain, a CT scan, x-rays of my chest, x-rays of my lower back, bloodwork, and so on. The funny thing is, when I went to see my pain managment specialist he said, "Could you stand up with your feet together and face the wall?" Immediately upon turning around so that he could see me back, he said I have a major problem right at the base of my neck (but with no further explanation), and he said my spine is completely out of allignment. He is sending me to his personal chiropractor.
And his reasoning for making me change my whole lifestyle is in order to get me to be at my healthiest so that he believes that I do indeed have Fibromyalgia and I am in REAL pain. Those or just his beliefs. He is like some doctors who have yet to believe FMS and CFS are real syndromes and not just something people claim they have in order to obtain pain meds. But since he's my pain managment specialist, and he is actually very good despite his negative views on FMS, and he holds the key to my relief, I will follow his plan just to prove him wrong.
I, too, have done extensive research on FMS and CFS and still find it mind-blowing that some doctors truly believe we make these symptoms up. AND that most treatments are dangerous and have many scary side-effects. I've read that doctors say that taking opioids for the pain have not really been proven to help with fibromyalgia pain, but for me they do wonders. Not only do they relieve my pain substantially, they give me a boost of energy I have never had.
And his reasoning for making me change my whole lifestyle is in order to get me to be at my healthiest so that he believes that I do indeed have Fibromyalgia and I am in REAL pain. Those or just his beliefs. He is like some doctors who have yet to believe FMS and CFS are real syndromes and not just something people claim they have in order to obtain pain meds. But since he's my pain managment specialist, and he is actually very good despite his negative views on FMS, and he holds the key to my relief, I will follow his plan just to prove him wrong.
I, too, have done extensive research on FMS and CFS and still find it mind-blowing that some doctors truly believe we make these symptoms up. AND that most treatments are dangerous and have many scary side-effects. I've read that doctors say that taking opioids for the pain have not really been proven to help with fibromyalgia pain, but for me they do wonders. Not only do they relieve my pain substantially, they give me a boost of energy I have never had.
I am not diagnosed with FMS or CMS, but believe I too suffer from it. The thing about these conditions is there is usually a cause for the symptoms. Like narrowing of the spinal column in the neck causes pressure on your spinal cord and in result making all your nerves inflamed because they r bottle necked. This isnt the only thing linked to the symptoms you describe. I think you need MRI's of your brain and cervical spine to at least rule out any physical causes for your fms/cms. That pain management doctor shouldnt ask you to change all those thing about your daily life, he should at least rule out serious rare diseases.
Hope this helps, Feel free to ask questions, I have done hours of research on these conditions and have even read a book about it so feel free to just ask. Stacey
Hope this helps, Feel free to ask questions, I have done hours of research on these conditions and have even read a book about it so feel free to just ask. Stacey
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Fibromyalgia Community
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
