← Return to Fibromyalgia -- Need help on how to handle severe pain

Discussion

Fibromyalgia -- Need help on how to handle severe pain

Fibromyalgia | Last Active: Oct 29, 2023 | Replies (156)

Comment receiving replies
@ripley

Are you taking any of the drugs for fibro, like Cymbalta or Lyrica? I would like to avoid those so am trying medical marijuana--still trying to find a dose than helps. I have called many rheumatologists in my state and haven't found one yet that helps treat fibro, and not just diagnose. But I'll keep trying. (As far as your Dr, you don't happen to live in MN, do you?)
Have you ever gone to a "functional" doctor? They try to treat naturally w/o drugs. Very long wait time here to see one, I couldn't get in earlier than January 2024. Thanks.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Are you taking any of the drugs for fibro, like Cymbalta or Lyrica? I would like..."

No, I altogether refused the Cymbalta and the Lyrica, having researched both in depth. I had one doctor even try to sell me on the "double target" angle: target the depression AND the other problem(s). Emphatically no. Wasn't going through weaning off anything else again either. As for medical marijuana, that is a personal decision that you must test out for yourself. I just didn't want to deal with the whole aspect of trying to find a dose that helps, and the best combo for me. I also have medical issues that I took into consideration.
By functional doctor are you referring to a physiatrist? No, not PSYCHiatrist, PHYSiatrist. I have found none within an acceptable driving distance. But I am very much looking forward to meeting the neurologist that I'll be seeing in about 3 weeks. My primary was happy that I chose him. Says he is an older man, real "old school" thoroughness in helping his patients, doesn't just pass them off to other doctors. He LISTENS and is not dismissive. He's also board certified as a neurophysiologist so he can perform nerve and muscle studies, and is one of only 2 others in our section of Westchester.
I have an idea for you: Google to see what organizations (professional) are within your state. Search through the website for info on doctors according to sections of your state. That is what I did when I desperately need a specialized ophthalmologist and the only ones were in other states. My time spent researching paid off because they did indeed have a listing of ophthalmologist specially trained in field of immunology related to eye issues. Found three and zeroed in on the one that checked out as being the best for me, a mere 28 minute drive (one way) versus 2 1/2 hours one way (Yale in CT).
So try that out. You have to advocate for yourself, and invest time and effort in finding what you most need.
Another idea: Call major hospitals/medical schools within your area. Follow the same advice as what I wrote before. Ask for head/supervisor of Dept of Rheumatology. Make it clear that you are seeking rheumatologists who are education with treating fibromyalgia.

The road ahead is arduous but adopt an "I CAN" attitude. Don't allow yourself to give up. You have no idea the HOURS that I invested while searching for the specialized ophthalmologist who successfully eliminated the uveitis that attacked my left eye and then my right. My regular ophthamologist realized he couldn't cure the problem, after 4 months of what I considered "toxic" eye drops.

Best of luck to you.
I'd appreciate hearing how you progress with your search.😊

I'm not the person who you were replying to, but I do have fibromyalgia (diagnosed at Mayo Clinic in 2017) and live in MN. What's helped me the most with pain and other symptoms has been 1200 mg daily of gabapentin along with physical therapy. I tried Cymbalta and went through awful side effects including feeling suicidal for the first time in my life, and tapering down off of it was hell. I've had no problems like that with the gabapentin and although it's not perfect (MN winters are still pretty rough with the symptoms) it's more manageable. 2/3 of the year I walk around like the tin man needing the oil can, so it's like the fibro has aged me prematurely, I feel like I'm 80 much of the time rather than my mid-50's. I would love to see a functional doctor but haven't checked into one yet, and have no idea where I'd find one. Is anyone here from MN seeing a functional doctor and are there any at Mayo?