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You have to cry and beg. There is no other way. You can keep going back and forth with no results and in the end you lose out. I was put on so meany different types of med and finally i was given codine 30mg tabs. this only helps my leg pain and my other aches and pains i have to deal with. I have on codine for 3 yars and they are starting to wear off. i have beento the doc's twice and they have not changed it. My leg pain has got so much worse that i am going to have to go there and i will not move until something is done. No one understands your pain and suffering more than you do so you have to stand up for your self. Find strenth and get down the doc's and tell them who is boss. God blesxs.x

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I had the same problem with my doc. I finally got another to prescribe me tramadol. I take that on really bad days. But since we have found the right combination of drugs, I don't take otc or other pain meds as much. It's really about getting the right cocktail. A lot of prescription pain meds are bad for your body in the long term and that's probably why they're reluctant to prescribe them. But if you feel you need it stand firm or go to another doc. At least ask why they are refusing to give you pain meds. Or take someone with you to get your questions answered. Visiting the doc can be an emotional experience, especially for fibros. Having someone in you corner who is neutral could help. Good Luck!

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Thanks you guys. I have had a dr. prescribe ultram but it does nothing for me at all but give me headaches. And I've done the crying and begging over and over. I can't even discuss or discribe my pain with out breaking down it's really hard i have 3 small children and am only 27 and hurt so much all the time. Thanks for your caring enough to reply.

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Try keeping a pain chart and list your type of pain. They have several you can research. Doctors speak a whole different language and the pain chart is usually something they understand. If they continue to deny you pain relief. Ask them for a referral to a pain mangaement doctor.

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No crying or begging--get a new doc. Find one that is fms friendly and probably going to be a pain management doc. There are enough sites out there to help you find someone. And I agree--keep a pain journal. The more you have information, the better off you will be in the long run. Or, just tell your doc that since she is not able to help you, she needs to find some who can. You also need to be armed with your state's patient bill of rights or even your doc's. I am not saying this is your case, but too often patients just want to sit there and be told what to do. I have the work proactive, but, you have to be proactive. You have to know what you are legally entitled too and be willing to step up and fight for what you need. Another person with you is always a good thing too. Good health.

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You need to go to a Rhuematologist. I did and he gave me cymbalta and naproxin. It works really well. Especially the cymbalta. I still have some pain but nothing like it was. It is manageable. I also take Lortab twice a day. But I have tarsal tunnel syndrome and nerve pain too. I found that the fibro is the worse when the seasons change, like in spring and fall. Tell your doc you want to see a Rhuematologist. He or she can help. GOOD LUCK.

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My suggestion would be to find another doctor. I would get a rheumotologst who treats FMS and also a pain specialist. You are asking the wrong doctor to give you pain medication. No primary doctor in their right mind in this ligitous society is going to hand out ongoing pain medication. They should have told you that and made a referral. You can go to the National Fibromyalgia Association website and ask them for a referral to a fibro- friendly rheumotologist. Ask the latter for a referral or recommendation to a pain specialist when you see them. These two doctors routinely treat FMS and while strict about medication will work with you to find a better solution than a drug that wears off in 3 hours. Honestly, if any of these doctors had to be in our shoes for a day they'd be a whole lot more helpful. Take care.

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I appreciate all the comments and help. I did finally put my foot down with my doctor and told her about all the research i've done myself and she is currently working with me to find something to help with the pain. I don't react well to a lot of meds like anti-inflammatories make me so sick to my stomach and cymbalta gave me migraines. But i'm doing a lot better just knowing that she is willing to help me. Thanks you all and god bless.

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My doctor refuses to acknowledge any type of pain and will give me nothing. I take alleve for my pain and take 2 tablets every 2-4 hours with no relief. The sad thing is that he tells me to take a bath, go to physical therapy, or walk. I guess this issupposed to make me feel better. I hurt so badly sometimes that all I can do is cry. I just deal with it and pray that eventually I will be able to find a doctor that is understanding and compassionate.

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Very TiredPanda - My final suggestion to you would be to file a complaint about the lack of care you received from your doctor. If he is affliated with a hospital system, write a letter to the customer service department of that hospital. You could also file a written complaint with your health insurance carrier. I have no problem with a doctor who openly says that they don't believe in FMS and sends a patient on their way. I have a big problem with someone like your doctor who basically abuses your trust by providing placebos instead of solutions based on real medicine. They violated their hippocratic oath by doing more harm than good. If they felt free to do it to you, rest assured there are other patients suffering as well. I hope you will consider doing this to save someone else the pain and discomfort that this doctor has put you through. Take care.

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i ened up going to a methadone treatment clinic because I was tired of the treatmment at the pain clinic I had it with the way the staff was rude and did not seem to care about us patients at all. I was hooked on narcotics and was asked to leave because my tratment had not improved which has hard with fibro. i felt they did not care so tthe feeling was mutual...so I left and started to go throu withdrawals. The clinic is the best thing that has happened. They treat you like a humas being and atually care about you. If you can get over the stigma with methadone you will do okay, I have my life back...

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I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE BEEN THROUGH IT FOR MANY YEARS AS WELL.

UNFORTUNATELY, DRUG ABUSERS HAVE PLACED DR.'S IN AN EXTREMELY FRAGILE POSITION. IT IS VERY DEMEANING AND DISAPPOINTING FOR OUR DR'S TO PUT THIS STEREOTYPE ON US ESPECIALLY IF WE HAVE HAD A LONG AND TRUSTING RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. ONE THING THAT HELPS; TO START WITH, FIND OUT WHAT YOUR DR'S LICENSE ALLOWS HIM TO WRITE. ALSO, LET YOUR DR KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THIS STEREOTYPE BEING PLACED ON YOU ; IF IN FACT THAT IS THE CASE, AS WELL AS, UNDERSTANDING THE POSITION HE IS PUT IN BY THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY. FINALLY, ASK HIM WHAT WILL MAKE HIM MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT WRITING ANY PRESCRIPTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY. I OFFERED RANDOW DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENINGS TO MY DOCTOR TO ASSURE HIM THAT I USE MY MEDS RESPONIBLY. MAYBE THAT WOULD BE AN AVENUE YOUR DOC WILL BE WILLING TO TRAVEL. IF NOT ASK HIM FOR A REFERRAL TO A PAIN CLINIC. BUT DON'T SUFFER IN PAIN FOR SOME ONE ELSE'S MISCONCEPTIONS BECAUSE YOU DON'T DESERVE THAT!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!

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After the diagnostic, it was easy for me to get on Cymbalta and Trazadone for me to sleep. But the Cymbalta does not take care of all the pain, I take pain relievers over the counter ones and it's a hit or miss thing. My doctor does not want me to have other meds, because I have a hepatis c and my liver is showing signs of distress. Nevertheless she will get me to see the specialist again for my liver and will try to give me pain medicine without harming my liver. I wish all of you had a good doctor who informed you of the pain and work with you in establishing a pain regiment to suit your pain. I would complain until I got what I needed if that was the case. No one deserves to be treated with no respect. The doctors are there to help us, not confront us and not treat us. When they took their Oath they gave their promise to help every patient. If you don't get what you need, write and complain. Sometimes that's what it take to get what you need. I was lucky I was able to change doctor and go with my mothers physician, I went to her crying literally that I did not know what I had and told her my problems. One by one, she had me go see specialists, who ruled so many other conditions. Finally the diagnosis was firmed, I got her sympathy and her help, she prescribe Cymbalta. I had already started on Trazadone to help me sleep at night. Currently I see her bi-weekly and we talk about my symptoms and she checks me for my other problems. She is pro-active in my treatment, never did I thought I would ever find a doctor who was open to helping patients. I wish you all luck and finding a doctor like mine. Good luck.

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3/24/09
This is a roller coaster that I was on for nearly 10 years, YES thats right!!!10years!!
They kept referring me to see a Psychiatrist, which ended up being the best thing that I could have ever done. He contacted my Phy Medicine Dr and asked him WHY he was unwilling to prescribe me a dose of the fentanyl patch that was at LEAST somewhat effective.The Phy Med Dr had me on a dose of 25mcg/hr which is basiclly a child or very small adult dosage. It really did nothing for me. Eventually it came down to a point where my psychatrist was prescribing the fentanyl patch which was gradually increased over time up to 100/mcg hr. That has worked quite well except my psyhiatrist moved away a few years later and eventually I had to find a different dr. I now see a Gen Practice Dr. and she is very understanding and tries very hard to work WITH me and not dictate to me how I feel. I also take percocet for break through pain, which is often over looked by most doctors because they don't realize that the pain of FM patients is not on a consistent level all of the time. Dont't forget, YOU know your body better than anybody else and YOU or your Ins is paying the bill. The medical establishment likes to make many patients feel that they(the patient) doesn't know anything about their own body or what and what does not work. I spent years being treated like all I wanted was pain meds because I can't take anti-inflammatory medications. In fact, because of the early dr.s that treated me, I got bleeding ulcers and subsequent scar tissue build up to the point where they had to take all but one quarter of my stomach out.SO my advice is WATCH out for all those prescriptions they gladly give you that contain ANTI-INFLAMMATORY or ASPIRIN as the primary active ingredients. Over 100,000 people die each year from gastrointestional bleeding!!
Never be afraid to switch drs, What do you have to lose but pain, sleep, and YOUR sanity...

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I totally hear what your saying and where you're coming from. I was diagnosed with fibro and CMPS when I was only 22 yrs old. At that time my daughter was one. Even after my diagnosis my primary care would treat me like I was some kind of drug addict whenever I asked for pain meds. I finally heard about a pain clinic and against my doctors wishes went there to receive treatment. I must admit that my life is much easier with the pain meds and I have come to realize that I will always need some kind of pain meds just to get me thru the day.
I gave birth again in 2007 and remained on my pain meds thru my whole pregnancy. I was in less pain for those 9 monthes then I have been in the last eight years....something about the horomones levels that changed my pain to some what tolerable.
I would suggest you find a pain clinic or another doctor who doesn't think the pain is all in your head. Chronic pain is very real and when professionals don't take you seriously it can just add to your discomfort and it really crushes your spirit. I know I didn't ask to have this disease and I certainly wouldn't wish it apon my worst enemy!
On another note.....does anyone have any suggestions as to other ways to help out with pain levels??? Right now I take all my meds and try to get as much rest as a Mom of two can get but I still find times when I'm unable to move or just can't keep my eyes open. Thank you!

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I had the perfect cocktail, and it got fouled up after my car accident the hospital i was brought to had me on dilaudid,demerol,morphine,oxycontin,and a oatch, and percocets, and the tld my pc i was delusional and wean me of narcotics, when they said that they meant what they gave me, but my doctor was weaning me off the combo i had for 5 years, and before that it was a game playing with drugs to work, I have used injections,(epidural and steriodal) botox injections, morphine pump inserted and removed after 1 1/2 years, after removed leaking spinal, had emergeny in er on xmas, to fix leak-never went back to that doctor- now i just stopped everything on my own since las november, no ambien, diazepam, no ocs, just high blood pressure,hormones, and protonix, I've had the last shot I can in the l4.l5 and i asked if i could try the fentynal patch, it lasts 72 hours, new to it but i will let you know how it goes, i also had a kyphoplasty, to fix breaks in back, but i am determined to make them fic whatevet is causing the pain, if they don't want to provide me with meds, they better figure out what's wrong, it's really hard, bcuz people don't believe you're sick, but i would try and see if u cld get the patch, suggest it, and tell them you would like to try it, so pills aren't around house, just keep fighting for it i know its hard but stand your ground marian

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