So, I went to the doctor today

General
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....and here's what happened.

I told her that shortly after my surgery (open thoracotomy for removal of a growth on my esophagus in which they removed intercostal muscle to reinforce the esophagus) last month, my husband told me during a discussion, "Baby, you're not okay, but that's okay!" I looked my doctor straight in the eyes, with tears pouring down mine and said, "It's not okay anymore."

Thing is, she listened to me!!

Here's the plan: We are to increase the Lyrica during the next two weeks to end up at 600 mg twice daily and we will continue the Cymbalta 60 mg. She also refilled my Dilaudid 4 mg. Before any panties go in to a wad, know that I last had a prescription for 4 mg of Dilaudid filled on 10-18-13 with the directions to take 1-2 every 4 hours as needed for pain. Trust me, I have needed it every 4 hours, but I haven't taken it. I only take it on those nights where I need SOMETHING to shut down the pain.

Oh! She also ordered a butt-load of blood work. She's checking for everything autoimmune as well as for Lyme and some other stuff because I complained to her that, especially, at night, I have pain in every joint that I have and really bad back pain during the day.

We will see what happens!

I want to thank all of you who have responded to my earlier posting and am working on personally trying to respond to everyone because I don't want you to feel ignored. I mean, that's what you guys do, right? This is my first online support group, so I am not sure of the proper or even nice thing to do.

Thanks again for letting me share.

Cyn

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I hope you get some relief with the increased dosages.

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Hey cyn, this is great news, first that she actually 'listened', second that she is filling pain meds for you, and good for her for ordering blood work! Who knows, you may just have found 'your Doctor', meaning the one you deserve to have.

I'm so glad you were able to tell her this and get such a good response on so many levels! Knowledge is power, especially when Fibro is so like autoimmune, and that so many autoimmune disorders are so much alike!

There are people you will meet, that have an autoimmune disease that NEVER did show on the blood work, but the Doctor was able to diagnose them properly anyway, I hope this Doctor is as good!

I would not wish any type of arthritis on anyone, but here's the deal on that. RA and PsA are very close to the same disease, use the same meds, both autoimmune. However OA is just as bad as those two, if not worse, but is NOT autoimmune (at least that still stands at the moment, though some research Doctors are beginning to question that as well). Just remember, even with the best of Doctors, it takes time!

It is a wonderful gesture that you would like to respond to each and every one of us, however we understand if you don't. Please don't make yourself sicker by doing so, just remember, 'we get it'!

Sending a big hug,

SK