What kind of doctor do you see for a Fibromyalgia evaluation?

[atiratir]

I have a lot of symptoms and I really hate it.  My husband calls me a hypochondriac, but I swear I hurt so bad EVERYWHERE and don't complain much because they think its in my head.  What kind of tests and doctor diagnoses Fibromyalgia?

[ariesqueen38]

You hit the nail on the head for all my symptons but I am seeing a spinal surgeon who has done a series of injections in my neck twice and my lower back twice. Now the back does feel better since I have a bulging disc in my L4, 5. But my neck still hurts and so does my elbows my entire arms burn all the time and the backs of my hands also. My right armpit and my midsection under my breast feel like I have been beaten in a boxing match. He has me on 450mg of Lyrica, and Duexis and several pain meds. I don't sleep without meds because I can't get comfortable for the pain. He keeps telling me don;t see anyone else but him but I know in my heart I have Fibromyalgia and not MS since I tested negative, Lupus or any other issues in my neck that will leave with injections. So, should I just stop going to see him and go see a Rheumatologist and begin working out? It is so hard to workout though because my legs hurt and are heavy and my arms hurt so bad. This has been going on for over a year and half.

[kpope83]

I have been experiencing symptoms of fibromyalgia for about 5 months straight now. A month after the symptoms first started I had gone to the ER hoping to possibly get some kind of answer, only to be accused of being a pill addict, so, needless to say, not much was done for me. After that I made an appt with my PCP, and since then he's been performing labwork every 2-4 weeks. At one point my calcium was very low...so were my B12, and my vitamin D. Those have since gone up. I was given a EKG as part of my normal physical, and that came back slightly irregular but he's not too concerned about that. In my liver, my albumin was low, that has since gone up, but something else in my liver has shot up to twice the normal range, so now I'm being sent for an ultrasound. I keep mentioning FM to him, but he's more concerned about my liver. He's had x-rays done which have shown nothing. Just recently he said he would refer me to a rheumatologist. As of right now, I am currently taking methocarbamol 750mg twice a day, meloxicam 15mg once a day, and fioricet every 4 hrs as needed. Was put on tramadol-acetemetophen and had a HORRIBLE reaction to that so I didn't take it again. On a "good" day, the meds are minimal help to me. On a bad day, I'm in bed literally all day. I can sleep for hours on end, and I wake up feeling like I had just gotten beaten for hours all over my body. At times it hurts to even move IN bed, almost bringing me to the point of tears. And over the past few weeks, this increase in pain has really taken its toll on me mentally and emotionally. I find myself getting more and more anxious and depressed. Going to the store to buy food has become something I DREAD. Within minutes I can feel my anxiety building, my body starting to hurt, migraine developing, and nausea. So far my PCP hasn't bothered to put me on any anti-depressants or anxiety meds, but at this point, I'm almost ready to beg for them because I hate the person I've become (and this is coming from a person that HATES taking any meds). All the muscle and joint pain is debilitating to the point where I am unable to work, and unfortunately not many of my family or friends are very sympathetic. I've been told it's in my head, it's probably weight related, its because I'm depressed, or that I'm just being lazy. As stated in a previous comment, I am not experiencing the physical pain because of depression.....it is the other way around. I have 2 boys and luckily one of them will be a teenager in a couple months, so he has been a big help to me in picking up his brother from school and cooking and cleaning, but I would like to be able to take care of my kids properly and be the mother that they deserve. I'm just hoping that between the rheumatologist and my PCP, my pain can finally be managed properly so that I can try and live a somewhat normal life and be able to provide for my kids.

[shaiann]

I wish for just a day pain free I'm 41 who recently had renal failure hospitalized and critical for 3 days.I was unable to walk by myself or wash or feed myself. Now I'm on my feet alone and can walk alone wash and feed myself and I'm getting stronger 11 months later.I'm unable to work since being hospitalized. My Fibromyalgia and type 2 diabetes requires insulin metformine benatflomine vitamine D 5000 lyrica and a strict diet plus exercise. I need advice the Dr says no stress its harmful to my current medical conditions. The folks at disability has my medical records but are expecting me to prove that I hurt. The proof is in front of them only now they send me to get foot xrays and a mental exam. I don't drink smoke do drugs except the ones prescribed to me never had a mental exam until they required one. I worry about being able to have a home without financial help.My inability to even stand for more than 5-10 minutes without quivering in pain I feel makes me a poor consideration as an employee. I would be any employers waste of time because I'm unable to get there and do what's expected. I feel stressed.  My ssi credit is over 38 however the ajudicators are simply going through the daily motions. I need diligence and common sense and a bit of help from our health care system. This is their purpose. Right? I'm a person with feelings feelings of constant unimaginable pain and just need disability to please work a bit harder people are waiting for them to help change our lives for the better. I'm thankful to family friends and random acts of kindness to get me through till ssi and disability deem me fit to live. I'm hopeful and appreciate any advice.

[pammy1966]

I have been suffering with Pain for about 4 years now.  I recently started to eliminate gluten from my diet and had a noticeable reduction in pain. I also am trying to eliminate dairy. Go to this web site http://www.basic-keys-to-natural-health.com/Unhealthy-Foods.html.  It has helped alot!!

[dorimay123]

sure sounds like fibro to me !!!! it is so frustrating cymbalta helped me a little it did help me with the headaches blurred vision (fibro fog) some what I didnt think it was helping till I tried not taking it. and weight gain with the meds. good luck to you. I dont like to take meds so I just suffer through it.I am tarting so stuff for fibro through swansons all natural medicine and will let you know if it helps. just dont let it get the best of you

[FRUSTRATEDASHELL]

I have been suffering from severe back pain for about 4 years now. Other symptoms include very tight and tender muscles throughout my body. I have had MRI'S, CT'S, bone scans and a battery of blood work that all says I am fine!!!!! I AM NOT FINE!!!! Some days it is such a chore just to get out of bed in the morning. I am a father of 3 and happily married. My wife is in the understanding that it is stress and depression!!!! I wish that's all it was. I can tell you that this pain is more than stress and depression. The pain is causing the stress and depression. I have tried all different medications from anti depressants to muscle relaxers to heavy duty pain meds and also had a nerve blocker done. NO RELIEF!!!! Is this FIBRO? What is my best next course of action???? Thank you, FRUSTRATED as hell. Mike

[NoLights]

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a few months ago and what made it hard was that I have atypical migraines that give me flu like symptoms in my core area where I mostly have my fibro pain. My Doctor said you only have to have pain now in 11 pressure points to be diagnosed and I had a whopper of a flare-up that felt just like a kidney stone and sent me to emergency. Oh...it took 2 years to figure out I was having atypical mygraines and 2 more to add on fibromyalgia with it. In the process I was put on psych drugs for anxiety, sent to a shrink, told I would just have to live with headaches, told I was just overweight, and had my husband divorce me because I could not work. I can't tolerate light, noise, barometric change, and crowds. I take topomax which helps. Don't want a narcotic and can't afford some of the meds anyway. Am following Stanford research on some non=narcotic meds that are looking promising and have little side effects and low cost.

[Limom82]

Wow! I feel exactly the same way but I personally don't think it's in our heads! Our body reacts to pain like its ment to and boy does mine hurt like crazy! I haven't been diagnosed with FM but I am gonna go back to the doc soon and ask to have the test done! My doctor put me on Tramadol 50mg 3 times a day! I have noticed takeing long warm baths elps with the muscles aches but haven't found out how to relieve the numbing sensations! I'm here for ya!!

[angela9249]

I took Lyrica for a little over a year-it worked great at first-I had energy and no pain! Then the dosage had to be upped and the side effects got worse-blurry vision,and the weight gain! I gained 30lbs.-exercising and watching my diet. So my "Dr" switched me to Savella which has been great for the pain! The cost is the problem now-$55 for 1 month with bcbs insurance. So you have to weigh the pros and cons.

[ballerinantiques]

Have any of you found medicine that has been succesful? I've tried Tramadol, Ultram, Lyrica , Cymbalta (helps a little, not enough) I'm in so much pain. I was diagnosed about 3 years ago but then moved and haven't had a Dr. to help me here. I NEED help now.  I am a mom to two little girls and I need to work and this  pain is so debilitating. PLEASE let me know anything that helped you! I do still move around and work as much as I can, but I also have Hypothyroid, HBP, High resting heart rate (the Dr's have no idea why) so I've got all that fighting against me too.

[Gshap]

thanks so much for posing this...after reading to look for a good rhuemy
in my head I was thinking ughh and how with many different appoinments with different Rhuemys??  So thanks for the suggestion I definitely will look into it. Unfortunately I to read the symptoms and have most of them...especially after reading about the pain being in the upper and lower part of the quadrants of the body....that totally sounds like me.

Take Care
EveryOne and I will pray for all who suffer from any kind of arthritis
Praying that the pain is controlled and diagnosed correctly.

once again thanks for posting that!!

[gin45]

Your GP must refer you to a Rheumatologist to obtain the diagnosis, that is your first step. Once established and the diagnosis is fibromyalgia he will suggest you take Lyrica and probably sleeping pills if your not sleeping well. Celadrin cream is great for the pain (look for the one marked topical) DON'T take the medication its better to deal with fibro naturally with supplements, diet and exercise. Once I realized their was no help out there I sat on a panel with 8 people suffering from fibro and heard there stories. Some of them had ruined their life with drugs and could barely function.  This was not going to happen to me. Also have a Thyroid Test done plus a Free Base test. Look up Lorna Vanderhaegue's site, she also has videos and a radio show on her site. The products she recommends have been all lab approved and tested. Pick up her book its great.

Google MayoClinic.com site (I live in Ottawa, Ont, Canada) and research everything you could find on fibromyalgia. The Internet has a wealth of information available for you to peruse.  

Here is what I did:  I made an appt. with an Environmental specialist and a Naturopath. Between both of them I have come a long way. They checked my Thyroid Level, hormone levels, iron, adrenal function just to rule out any other problems. Once armed with this information I started on supplements to build up my immune system. The Environmental Specialist will do a Food Sensitivity Test, he will provide you with a chart that you can follow, its amazing how food triggers responses in our body, we must eat anti-inflammatory foods.

Here's what was recommended for me by the Naturopath::   Thyrocare, Multivitamin (not just any vitamin one recommended by a qualified Naturopath) Adrenal supplement AOR classic series found in natural food stores, Detox supplement (Unda #1 and #20) these are drops used for detox.  I also take Arctic code liver oil (flavoured) also found in the natural food store and the only one that is researched and recommended. I take a liquid iron supplement, have your iron level tested.

Physically:  I continue to ballroom dance, do aerobic exercise, aqua fitness for the pain in my muscles 1 hr. class in warm water, watch the foods I eat and switched to eating organic food as much as possible.  I have never felt so energetic as I do now even before I got fibromyalgia. Stretching every day is very important.  

Food:  I switched to rice milk, whole grains, brown rice (not white), organic fruit, smoothies, unpasturerized honey for a sweetener and increased my fish intake. Avoid sugar as much as you can.  Use only Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Subscribe to the fibromyalgia newsletter on the Internet and you will be kept up to date with new advances. But, I find were on our own with this. I did not get tingling in my fingertips or toes but I know some people do. I get the tightning of the muscles, you feel like they won't stretch.  I use to be in bed for three days at a time. The weather will also affect you, I am really sensitive to hot and cold and I cannot be anywhere where cold air is blowing on me. The wind will also trigger it so I keep a hood on my head when its windy, everyone is different according to what triggers their episodes.

I hope I have given you a start in dealing with your problem, but you will get there it will just take some time on your part.  Keep me posted and let me know if you require any additional information. I am not sure if you live in the US or Canada?

Also, look up the diagram on the Internet, it shows you exactly where the trigger points are (google video trigger points for fibromyalgia, you should come up with it.)

Have a great day, good luck

Gin

[Ree4tu]

I tried to research EAV testing on the internet and didn't come across much. What does EAV stand for?

In regards to your info. about mycoplasma infections...It is very interesting, I have been on antibiotics either topically or orally for acne for the last 10 years now.  I only recently in the last 5 months went off of all antibiotics.  This is when I noticed my fibro. getting worse. Symptoms like muscle/joint pain, irritable bowel, nausea, swollen glands, fatigue(just feeling like I have the flu all the time) instead of being once in a while, are now everyday.

Just the other day before I read about mycoplasma infections, I mentioned to my natural healthcare practitioner that I think something either viral or bacterial is going on in my body causing me to feel worse.  They testing me for Epstein Barr virus and Lyme Disease and both were negative. She also said if you have a metal toxicity, your body cannot function properly and your immune system because drastically affected, leading you more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections.

I imagine there is a blood test for mycoplasma infections? I did check out the info. on fatigue illness research, but was hoping for more info. on treatment-what antibiotics work and how long must a person be on antibiotics.  I am sure there are probably natural ways to rid the body of bacteria and viruses too, so I will ask about it next week when I go to my appointment with the natural healthcare practitioner.  I am so thankful for this information!!

Warmest Regards

[Ree4tu]

I am sooo glad to hear other fibro. sufferers are seeking the help of natural healthcare practitioners!  I think so many fibro. sufferers need to explore this route.

I have never heard of EAV testing, but will ask my practitioner about it next week during my appointment.  I am anxious to get the results of my hair analysis next week.  

The medical doctors really haven't helped me, although they have tried. Unfortunately, treating the symptoms is not the answer.  

Thank you for sharing helpful information.

Warmest Regards

[PlateletGal]

"I am currently seeing a certified natural healthcare practitioner who has already diagnosed me with a progesterone deficiency and adrenal insufficiency which have both been linked to the cause of fibro.symptoms."

I have found more relief with "alternative medicine" than western medicine. If you ever hear of EAV testing... you may want to try it. It changed my entire outlook on medicine and healing.

[Ree4tu]

I sure know what it's feels like to hurt everywhere! Everyone is correct, the rheumatologist is the place to start.  Also more and more people with fibromyalgia (including myself), are finding help through natural alternatives.  I am currently seeing a certified natural healthcare practitioner who has already diagnosed me with a progesterone deficiency and adrenal insufficiency which have both been linked to the cause of fibro.symptoms. She also performed a hair analysis.  I will get the results of the hair analysis next week.  The hair analysis shows minerals and certain vitamins you may be lacking or toxic.  Mineral toxicities such as copper, have been linked to fibro. too.
The docs are good with treating the symptoms, natural practitioners are good about finding the cause for your symptoms. If you are like many fibro. sufferers, all your blood work and MRIs comes back normal, but your body is telling you something is terribly wrong. My advice from my experience, don't stop with a fibro. diagnosis and search for possible causes.

[PlateletGal]

If you google "Co-Cure's Good Physician List", you can find of list of physicians who frequently diagnose and treat both fibromyalgia and CFS.

Best,

PlateletGal

[Monnette]

Oh my gosh...I feel for you so much.  Fibro is such a painful illness and it affects so many parts of your body.  I don't mean to scare you but since i have been diagnosed with it by a rheumatologist I have had a total of seven surgeries...the first was a hysterectomy and three months later the Fibro started.  I also started having HBP and Irritable bowel syndrome amongst other ailments.  Now I have sleep apnea, weight issues, and osteo in my knees.  I have always worked hard in spite of it and my husband has seen my suffering and has been so sympathetic.  Why!  Because he knows I try to get through each day doing as much as I physically can in spite of the pain and suffering.  This is a strange illness and they do not know that much about it yet...even though some of them think they do.  Try to find a Rheumatologist that is understanding of Fibromyalgia.  You will need the support of a good doctor and try to educate your husband as much as you can...you will need his support.  I have had it since 1999.  You will look perfectly  healthy and feel like **** most days.  But....I can say this...keep going..don't give in to it...you must keep getting up and as physical as you can every day.  Don't overdo though...or you will suffer from that too. I  wish I could be more encouraging...and you can deal with this..it is just a hard illness for people to understand!!!!

[karen717]

It is really funny how I got diagnosed with fibromyalgia. You know when you are in so much pain, it helps to laugh so I'll share this story with you.
I was getting ready for a drs. appointment with my primary care doctor. I teach 4th grade, so I have all kinds of cute notepads for holidays, etc. It was nearing Christmas, so I had a full bodied Santa Clause notepad that I had been using to send notes to parents and such. During my planning time, I decided to write down all my symptoms to take to my doctor. I just started labeling Santa as if it was my own body. I put headaches on the head, leg pain on both the legs, etc. I even took a toy car, ran it through an ink pad, and drove it over Santa's body to show that I feel like I've been run over by a truck when I wake up each morning. I went to my drs. with Santa in hand. When we started discussing symptoms, I brought out my Santa. The dr. asked to see it. He studied it for a few minutes and said, "I think I know what this is." (He has been my dr. for many yrs before this, so knew my background) That's when he told me that due to having pain in the upper and lower quadrants of my body and seemingly symmetrical, and other things that he thought it was fibro. He said if I had not labeled the Santa that it may have taken a while for us to figure it out, but he said he could just see it on my visual aid. Now he also ran many, many tests to rule out lots of other things, too. I also have a rheumy. He told me to research and read about fibro and see if I thought it fit my symptoms. Unfortunatly, it did! And to this day, Santa is still in my file at the drs. office. LOL
I hope you at least got a laugh out of this long story. If you have any questions or need to vent, just do it here. We are here for you.
Karen

[mamita00]

Sorry, we've been saying doctor or rheumy  but neglecting to say rheumatologist. That's who to see.

[mamita00]

Hiya. Sorry your hubby is unsympathetic about it. It is hard to get used to that's for sure. Your doctor should do tests to make sure it's not lupus, rheumatoid, or any other autoimmune distinguishable through blood work. That's what mine did, complete exam, and some x- rays. We've managed it well for quite some time, even though I do flare. It'll never be perfect but you do the best you can. Start exercising now, if you don't already, and it'll help you more than you think it will.

Best wishes.

[kiddthekatt]

Hi there;
   I first went to my internist and he ran quite a few tests including blood work to see if maybe I had Rheumatoid, he then sent me to see my Rheumy. He found 16 of the 18 trigger points and by the time I got out of his office I was in horrid pain.
   My husband and children know and understand that I am sick, tho at times it's very difficult for them to understand the full concept of this disease. I am so sorry that you are in pain. I hope this helped you out at least a little.

gentle hugs
Angel

[PINKLADY43]

all they do is check to see if ur trigger points hurt when they push on them there are 18 and i have had fm for about 19 years and ur whole body hurts i know i did the same thing about the systems i thought it was all in my head to but it just kept on getting worse go see ur pcp and they can check for you also. take care talk soon let me know. any more wuestion i will be here for u. lisa