Fibromyalgia and degenerative disc disease: Finding the right doctor

@krisleigh61685
What specialists are you currently working with (neurologist, orthopedic spine specialist, endocrinologist, hematologist, rheumatologist)?

Have you been tested for small fiber neuropathy (with skin punch biopsy)? Are you diabetic? Have you had your thyroid checked? Are you going through perimenopause or menopause now?

Hi Kristin,

You could seek a Dr. of Physical Medicine - previously called Sports Drs. These Drs are much more knowledgable than PCPs, and they usually belong to an orthopedic practice. They usually can diagnose a problem and make the appropriate referral.

Joe

krisleigh61685, Bless you. I empathize. I've had Fibromyalgia for 31 years and I am unable to take any of
the meds for it except Flexeril , Tylenol & I use Voltaren Gel a lot. I do not have degenerative disc disease. I am so sorry that you are battling both.

It is my experience with family members that take antidepressants....Cymbalta....can cause tremors over time.
Perhaps you can ask a specialist outside of your PCP about switching to something else since it doesn't sound
like it's working for you. Have you ever been prescribed Gabapentin or low dose Naltrexone? I could not
tolerate these, but, several folks I know say they help with nerve pain and general pain. Perhaps an
Integrative Medicine doctor may be able to help you as they think outside the box.

This summer has been incredibly hard with the humidity and heat. It ramps up Fibro for me. Fibro is
a crazy ailment to have and it is indescribable to those that do not have it.

I would recommend a full Thyroid panel from an Endocrinologist. Hashmoto's tends to go along with Fibro I
have discovered.

Praying for you right now. Please keep us posted on our progress. Blessings & Prayers......

How long have u been on lyrica and cymbalta? It can take 2 months to fully see the effects. Also doctors usually start with lower doses and titrate up

I have been on the lyrica longer than the cymbalta but with them together id say close to 2 months.

I was previously working with a rheumatologist but she was blowing me off abd not listening to me and my symptoms. So i am starting with my new one soon. I have neurosurgeon/spine specialist team working on my back. My therapist keeps saying i should see a endocrinologist but my pcp doesnt seem to think so.
I am not diabetic and last time my hormone levels were checked everything was good. My thyroid was great at last check up

Hi Kristin, my name is Kenton. I definitely emphasize and compassionalize ( I like to make up wordage) with you. I suffer also from Degendisc since I was 20 yrs old. I'm 65. Ive had 2 back surgeries for L4L5 herniations. My Fibro is overall deep muscle with random, daily flares in different places of the body each time. My upper back has turned arthritic. I use an inversion table in my basement to stretch out the spine 3 times a week. I use heat massage pads in my recliner daily. I have recently started using a LifePro step on vibration plate. It vibrates as you stand on it and hits different muscles as you stretch. Really works when the lower back and hips are tight. As for meds, same as much you see here, Duloxetine (cymbalta) twice daily , then combos of tylenol and Ibuprofen up to 800 mg. Non of which works all that well. For me, if pain is really bad, only a single tablet of Hydrocodone (vicodin) truely relieves the pain and makes me feel normal. With normal energy and especially motivation to want to do something. Exhaustion from pain is real. As 3 hours of gardening outdoors can cost me the entire next day in pain, brain fog and exhaustion. I try to tell people who fail to understand pain exhaustion and lack of motivation this example. "Imagine being a rechargeable battery. And when new, a night of sleep recharges you to 100%. But constant pain from Fibro and your back, even when sleeping, begins to drain your nightly recharge. So you begin to wake up to a 50% charge. And you discharge to empty more rapidly. And more sleep doesn't necessarily recharge you." I seem to be personally at a 30% recharge rate at times , I wake up tired, in pain, which effects my motivation to think about accomplishments during the day. My 30% discharges rapidly, and when it's empty. I "hit the bed" and can sleep deeply, dead to the world, for 3 hours in the middle of the day. I so wish for a magic pill, but I think it's with me to stay and I have to manage my days around my energy and pain levels. I do know when rain is coming though!!