I had been seeing a nurse practioner for the last 10 years or so but it’s gotten worse… I also have osteoarthritis and early onset osteoporosis and had been seeing a rheumatologist since the 1980’s. Long story short…have new rheum. doc and he’s prescribed celebrex but nothing for pain & fibro. He says go to my family doctor for the fibro and take advils & tylenols for pain, because percosets, loratabs, etc does not work for osteo. Advils/ tylenols DO NOT work for me!!! I also have had several broken bones…some from falls…wrist and every bone in my ankle. And, broken ribs and sternum from collapsed lung & surgery gone bad in 2001-2002…another long story. Now my question, is it unusual for rheumy to not treat you for fibro? He’s new and I’m still not sure he will remain my doctor. My ortho doc that gave me a steroid shot in hip joint did a blood test and discovered my vitamin D level was 7.5 so rheumy is working on that. I live in Mississippi where it’s almost impossible to get pain meds from doctors, but, dang, do I have to be in pain just because of that??? This is no way to live and if this is what my life is going to be like, then I don’t want it! I have never ever abused alcohol or drugs, heck, I have never even smoked pot and I am almost 62! I am sorry this is so long, but I just wanted to see if others have this same problem.
Forgot to add…my family doctor/nurse practioner says she doesn’t treat fibro either. She’s looking to find me someone that will. What’s with this…do these medical people not believe fibro is real?!!
Fibro fog bad…also forgot to say that was in my 30’s was diagnosed with severe osteoporosis and took shots then took meds until 2001…really messed my stomach up…now osteopenia so now that I’m almost 62, I guess my bone age caught up with my real age. ha ha
Hi Jeannette . I am sorry you are having difficulties with doctors and meds . Various doctors treat or not treat pain illnesses or not . I don’t use a rheumy anymore although she does understand and treat fibro . I have a medical doctor and neurologist who also are knowledgable of the illness so I just eliminated one doctor - the rheumy . You need to have just one that knows and treats the illness is my opinion. When making an appointment when looking for a new doc ask them if they do in fact treat this Ilness so you don’t waste your time . I am also 62 so as far as the age group you’re not alone .lol
I have osteoporosis , osteoarthritis and spondylolisthesis just to name a few and I live with chronic pain as well . My neurologists deals with the pain issues but my pcp supports his judgment and treatment .
I send you all the best and
HUGGGGGGGGGS
Suzie
Hello Jeanette,
Just weighing in to support what Suzie says, she has been dealing with this for a long time, and is agreat source of information. I have only been dealing with this for a few years, but from my experience ( and I am from UK), rheumotologists diagnose, then your primary doc manages it for you. So the important thing is to find a doc who is able to do this. I am lucky that my doc does believe, and he is great. So that would be my advice, find a doc that believes. Then think about other ways to manage, such as pacing, meditation, relaxation, mindfulness, gentle exercise, There are goups on here that might help with that. I wish you well.
Take care, Anne