how do you get referred?

[rocketship]

I suffer from periodic joint pain that will wake me up from a dead sleep throbbing and burning.  Sometimes my feet will hurt so badly I can barely stand or walk around.  Other times my knees hurt so much I can't sit still at my desk.  I can't take anything like advil or aleve due to stomach issues and tylenol doesn't touch it.  The only relief I have found is from vicodin or similar medication.

How do I get my doc to understand this?  I've asked to be referred to a rheumatoid doc, the first one I saw said there was nothing wrong with me so I want a second opinion.  There are days when I'm completely miserable and I used to be athletic and outgoing, it's very depressing. Plus, auto-immune diseases run in my family.

[ChronicPain1]

I assume you're asking about referral to pain management, and it wasn't easy. After a couple years of my pain, my angel of a doctor who retired afterwards (still makes me sad, he was the best doctor ever) referred me to pain management. This was after surgeries, multiple specialists and a year of physical therapy.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Rocketship,

Thanks for dropping by the PM Community. I am so sorry to hear about your painful symptoms.

Has your PCP ruled out Hashimoto's Tyroiditis or Hashimoto's Disease yet? Are the symptoms you experienced in mid-March improved or are they in addition to the symptoms you described above?

There are no specialists for autoimmune diseases as they diseases are multiple. They effect different systems and organs depending on the specific disease. Therefore the physicians that treat them vary. I think I would consult an endocrinologist, a hematologist and I'd get a second opinion form another rheumatologist. In my opinion you should not stop searching for the cause(s) of your pain. I know how very disheartening it can be. You get weary of hearing there is nothing wrong with you. I can relate as I have been there. Many of us have been there.

I became so discouraged that I gave up my search. Please don't do that. I have now been diagnosed and am being treated. The same will happen for you if you persevere  But because I went too long without being treated I will never be any better.

Hang in there. We are here to support you in anyway that we can. I'll look forward to hearing from you again. Peace, Tuck

[nick30]

hi rocketship, is it possible to return to the last dr who prescribed you vicoden?
did that dr have information about your injury that your current dr doesn't have copies of?
it is your right of course to get a 2nd opinion and it can't hurt you to do so.
there are also medications you can take to help reduce or eliminate stomach issues when taking anti-inflammitories.
perhaps you could ask your dr about these.
I had many stomach issues with anti-inflammitories over the years and now with a drug called 'somac' i am able to tolerate the strongest anti-inflammitories.
good luck, let us know how things go
Nick