The quote referenced is actually taken from the Medscape article. For some reason, the link is asking for a log in, but I will try to re-do the link when I locate the article. I don't recall if they said never, but it was an absolute term which is why I used it. I agree with you though: it is very difficult to use words like always or never without that statement being found wrong at a later date.
I had the same reaction to the pelvis xrays, that seems very odd. I have never heard about anyone who had to have a pelvis mri to diagnosis FM. Anyone else know why she would order the test?
It sounds like you liked her, it is wonderful that you found a good fit.
It might be that she is trying to rule out other conditions with the x-ray, instead of using it to diagnose FMS. There are some rheumatological diseases that show up in studies of that area. There used to be a saying that FMS is a diagnosis of exclusion. I don't think that's true anymore, but I'm sure that docs still want to make sure that they have the right diagnosis. This theory explains all of the lab work too, since there aren't any labs, yet, that are helpful in determining FMS. It sounds like she is looking for an arthritis with all of that testing.
You may find that, if the voltaren wasn't helpful, the piroxicam won't have too much effect either. Don't be too disappointed. It's not at all uncommon for NSAIDs to be duds for this sort of pain.
Almost forgot... She did X-Ray of my feet also cause my big toe and ankle hurt. She found nothing there. I don't get pelvic Mir either. Out of everything that hurts I would have guessed lower back mri. Only thing I can think of is maybe since pelvis is in middle of my body. I will ask why before I have it or if she brings it up again.
This may be why your doctor wants the x-ray: http://www.spondylitis.org/about/undif_diag.aspx
That was very interesting. Thank you so much for including the link.
I was not on Piroxicam but on Meloxicam and they are closely related, it did not help me with my arthritis pain, but at that time it could have been fibro and that is why it didn't work. Every NSAIS works a little different, years ago I was put on Ultram among a ton of others, didn't do anything, gave me Celebrex and it worked like a charm. I tried Celebrex again last year and it didn't work.
I tried Vicodin, but it upsets my stomach to the point of vomiting, even a half pill of a low dose, the Oxy-Ace, again low dose does not. But I take it only when the pain is severe.
For sleeping, I didn't sleep well for years, I accidently discovered 1 Flexeril 10mg and 1 Klonopin 1mg, since then I have slept well most nights. The reason I said accidently is that I missed my dose of Flexeril and realized it before bed and took it with my Klonopin, the rest is history, as they say. I told my doc and she said whatever works, as long as I am not overdoing it.
Tony, best of luck in your journey, Farida
The pelvic MRI makes sense if you are having low back pain; I think it’s just the terminology that may be causing your questions? There are different levels of the spine and the MRIs are done in sections to match, so pelvic = lower back, sacral area, lumbar = low to mid back, thoracic = mid to upper back, cervical = neck. Hopefully that makes sense; I wasn’t quite sure how to explain it.
So, if your xray of the same area was negative (normal), then she might want to see if there is a problem with the soft structures in your lower back. Here’s where the MRI is helpful.
When you have an appointment like that, it’s hard to think of everything you want to ask the doc right then. When you go home, of course, you think of a dozen things that should have been asked. :-). Make a list for next time, if you don’t already do that. It can be helpful. I have taken to writing down the answers so I can look up info later.
Today when I was at work my doctor called. It was very busy so I was only half able to pay attention. She said something about me having a genetic marker that means a one in ten chance I have what the genetic marker means. She said absolutely no inflammation from blood work and no lupus. She asked how the piroxicam was work and I said not at all but now I have heartburn from it on top of my other ailments. She wants me to get a mri of my tail bone because that genetic markers there. I don't have any tail bone pain but I forgot since I was in middle of work and having a foggy day. After I have this mri she said to start new medication which will be Wednesday afternoon. She said if I take medicine early what she is looking for in Mir won't be there. It's methylprednisolone 21 day pack. 4mg. Has anyone tried this?? From what I have read it's a really strong drug with some serious possible side effects. If anyone has tried methylprednisolone please let me know if it worked and if it's worth these side effects. It's a 6 day pack of steroids basically. Thanks hope everyone is doing well tonight.
Tony, I was on Methylprednisolone IV 250mg every 6 hours for three days for Optic Neuritis, then I was on oral prednisone for several more weeks. I was sick as a dog, retained a lot of fluid, which made it difficult to breath. Of course, my dosage with huge. They've tried to put me on prednisone pills one time years later, I don't remember the strength, though it also made me nauseous and food tasted weird and I retained fluid though not as severe as the IV.
It is hard to tell how you will react but I will never take steroids again because my body goes bonkers and I now have Diabetes.
Make sure you question your doc about why to she wants you to take it and decide for yourself if it is worth it. Prednisone has it's place but it is hard on the body.
Farida
So my journey continues. Last night I spent the night at the hospital doing a sleep study. The dr wants to see how I'm sleeping and how we can improve it at the hospital my dr recommended. I got there at 9pm last night and they glued wires to every extremity, chest, back, and my face. Yes that's correct wired glued to my face.. cheeks, for head, chin, and wires on and in my nostrils. When they woke me up around 5am to kick me out I wanted to tell the man that people with fibro need more than 5 hours of sleep but I don't think he would have found it amusing. Then at 9am today went for my Mri appointment. The dr ordered two one for pelvis and one for low back at her office. The mri people said that I was only scheduled for one of the two mri's. After some begging and a trip to dunking donuts I got them to do both. I figured donuts and coffee at 9am would change just about anyone's mind. Then spent hour and a half if a tube getting the mri's done. My dr called me a few days ago after all my blood work and labs came back normal and said to stop the piroxicam cause I have zero inflammation. During the conversation she said she was going to treat my pain more aggressively and prescribed steroids for me to start today. When she said she was going to start treating my pain more aggressively I was thinking I would start lyrica but no just steroids. She said by days end today.. only one day on steroids I should get some relief. As of right now I feel lied to. Pain is worse than yesterday. I really hope this lady isn't trying to take all my money for these tests to give me steroids long term. The side effects of the steroids is frightening. Anyone had luck with steroids? I didn't think they worked on fibro. Also at what point should I look for another dr? I've done blood work.. 2 mri's and a sleep study. I'm hoping that there isn't much more testing before she diagnosis fibromyalgia and starts trying medications that work. I'm not sure how much longer I can take this pain before I'm forced to switch dr's. I hate t he mornings when I can hardly get out of bed. Luckily I have some pain meds and muscle relaxes left over from my family dr who diagnosed me that I'm conserving. If I didn't have them to use as a break in the magnitude of pain for a few hours here and there I don't know what I would do besides cry, lose my job for not showing up, and beg God for help. I don't wish this pain on my worst enemy. I that all of you are not s suffering and had a good day. I'm trying to keep hope up that I'll be able to manage this soon. Every time the dr adds another test without giving pain relief is a let down. I go back and see the dr next Tuesday and at I hope she either finds something on mri or diagnoses me so I can start a treatment plan that works.
Tony - this journey that are on stinks. But most of us have been there and know the pain, frustration and helplssness/hopelessness you are feeling. I have some very simple rules when it cmes to dealig with whatever is affecting me the most today/this week/this year. In the beginning, when I was first diagnosed with Fibro, I tried every new drug and treatment on the planet - everything from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Trigger Point Injections to antidepressents, etc, What ultimately provided me with relief was a good muscle relaxer when needed, moist heat via a bath or moist heating pad and massage. Anything I could do to feel more human was the goal.
To that end, I also did a sleep study and like many here was diagnosed with sleep apnea. During one study, I stopped breathing 86 times for as long as 68 seconds. I used a CPAP machine and it helps me stay asleep once I fall ASLEEP! It is a great to n your FM arsenal.
I wish you better health!!!!!
My doctors nurse called today and said they didn’t find anything on the MRI of my pelvis and sacroiliac joint and to continue steroids until I see her Tuesday. I feel kind of upset about it. I was hoping she would find something… Anything… So treatment could start. I don’t know what she is going to due at the next appointment… More tests … Medication. I told my wife about it and i felt embarrassed that I have all this pain and MRI and X-ray reveals nothing. I’ll find out more Tuesday unless she calls with results from sleep study. In the meantime more ice packs on my body.
Are the steroids helping at all?
Hi Tony. Hang in there. I know how hard it is. The rheumy that diagnosed me went thru the same routine. If you are taking pain meds it is hard to see if the steroids are helping and if the steroids are helping that might indicate some type of inflammation. There is no test for Fibro so you want to make sure they get the diagnosis right.
I remember being at this stage, a miracle all in it self, and I had to go to my niece's performance and I was in so much pain that I could not even be still. Two shots of Lemonchelo from Italy and I could relax just a bit and the pain started to ease up a bit. Thankfully it got better after that and I didn't have to resort to Lemonchelo again. I know it is hard not to want to just start all the meds you can at once but it is really better to start them one at a time so you can tell how each is working for you and what side effects each gives you.
I think you are on the right track with your doc just hang in there and try to remember that it will get better. Mornings are always hard for me too. I start my day off with a muscle relaxant and a Dr.Pepper and I move slowly until I loosen up.
Take care,
Traci
Thank you both for your replys… I’m sorry if I complain a lot on here. Once I’m not in a lot of pain I promise ill stop. The steroids aren’t helping the pain like I hoped they would. They make me feel dizzy and kinda high at times which might distract me from the pain. But if I consciously pay attention to each spot I have pain it’s still there. My feet actually feel worse… Constant burning. I’m not taking the norco cause Im worried I won’t be able to go to work if I’m more dizzy than just from steroids. But I understand it’s a process and most likely a protocol the dr’s must follow in medication I’m just in a hurry to get there.
Not for a second did I think you were complaining. Everyone needs to vent especial when you are in pain. That is why they call this a support group so don't be afraid to speak your mind.
I find that burning and tingling in my hands to be my most dreaded symptom and thankfully the Cymbalta put an end to most of it.
Have a great weekend.
Traci
As for me I have always seen a Neurologist. I believe it is a neurologist illness.
Went back to dr today. My sleep study only showed insomnia and mri showed small fluid level in my hips. She said I have arthritis in my big toes and wants me to see a foot dr for possible steroid injections. She put me on lyrica 50mg once daily. I asked about the once daily tramadol that a lot of people say that works but she said that it doesn't work on fibromyalgia and to try lyrica first. Which I found surprising since everywhere you look online people with fibro mostly say it works wonders. I told her I worried about weight gain on my body since it already hurts as my concern for lyrica. She said weight gain doesn't start till 300 mg plus. I also know peoples reviews of lyrica are very different. Some say it works others say it's horrible. I'm going to start today and hope it helps. This does seem like a really low dose compared to others. Hope everyone's having a good day!!
Hi Tony,
I am glad to hear you got some results today. I know it is scary starting a new medication and I always wonder / worry about side effects myself. But one thing I did earlier this year was to decide to listen better to my doctor and at least consider medications suggested, I was being a bit stubborn I realized. And I am glad I did, I started a low dose of Gabapentin and while it hasn't helped the pain it has helped the fog considerably so it is worth it for me. No one knows how they will respond to a medication - I wish you all the best and I hope Lyrica brings relief.