Rheumatologist Visit

I was diagnosed with Fibro by my PCP on September 30, 2014. He started Cymbalta, which has helped my mood and depression but not anything else. The pain and the spasms and cramps, the electrical jolts (so to speak) have gotten worse.

I scheduled an appointment with a Rheumy. This guy was awesome! He has a wonderful bedside manner and explained everything and was humorous. He explained that Fibro was an accumulation of subsets of conditions or syndromes. He went on to describe how each subset has to be treated to make the person feel better. He described how Fibro is not something that a person catches or develops, he says it is something those of us that have Fibro are actually born with it. How many of us had actual "growing pains" in our legs? I know I did. He told me that 50% of my children will have Fibro as well. All 3 of my children already are symptomatic for Fibro.

He has started with trying to calm the nerve impulses in my brain so I can reach REM sleep at night and this will allow my muscles to heal while I sleep. I am not on any controlled substances at all. I refuse to take pain meds. I used to be a pharmacy tech, I have seen so many dependent on their pain meds and I am allergic to many on top of it. I like this doctor's philosophy and I am willing to try it his way. :-)

Hello bddouglas,

How lucky you are to have a doc who really understands this condition. i am sure i will be interesting to lots of people as to how this progresses, so please keep us informed.

take care,Anne

That is awesome, it sounds like you found a great Rheumy. I am really happy for you and I wish you great success in your treatment plan. Hugs!



AnneV said:

Hello bddouglas,

How lucky you are to have a doc who really understands this condition. i am sure i will be interesting to lots of people as to how this progresses, so please keep us informed.

take care,Anne

I will definitely keep everyone informed. He currently has kept my other meds the same...topamax (migraine provention), cymbalta (depression and fibro pain), hyzaar (blood pressure), aspirin (stroke prevention)...he added gabapentin 300mg at bedtime and if I did not get better rest after 2 nights I was to add another capsule at bedtime...I can go up to 3 capsules....If after 2 weeks, I am not getting solid rest at night I am to call his office and he will send in a script for Mirapex to be taken with my evening meal. I see him again in mid-June.