So I finally got to the new doc since my company switched insurances. I have to say, I'm impressed. She's much more understanding and proactive than my last doc. I've had more blood tests in the last two weeks than in the previous year. As usual for someone with Fibro, most of them are perfectly normal. A couple markers for inflammation were high both last weekend and this Saturday past, so she's going to run my case by the rheumatologists in case review, see what they think. She's also sending me for a sleep consultation, which could mean a sleep study. The redness turned out to be rosacea, so I've got something (not cheap!) for that now. She also went over the various pros and cons of several drugs and we've decided I'll try Effexor. (the generic, which I can't remember the name of until the coffee kicks in here.) She'd rather not go with Gabapentin or Lyrica due to much stronger side effects.
I like her. It's definitely a team approach feeling to my health, and one where she's actually concerned and helping me figure stuff out. I think this will be a good health partnership.
Meg
P.S., if you're in the Seattle/Everett Area, it's the Virginia Mason system.
Hi Seattlemeg,
I’m so happy for you !!! Finding the right dr. Is 1/2 the battle ! It’s amazing how much better we can feel when we know our dr. Is on our side, and will help us figure this out…
yeah, she sent me for a sleep consult today to check for possible sleep apnea, so I'll be doing an in-home sleep study later this month. She's really on top of things.
My husband just came home with a CPAP machine, so I'm hoping the Zanaflex I got today knocks me out at night, or there will be war! My sleep problems are totally pain related, so the last thing I need to hear is this thing roaring all night long! I know it will help him, but not sure it will help me!
Glad you found a doc that is listening to you! Is she a PCP? My PCP was wonderful, until he pushed me to go to a rheum. and then didnt want to do anything for me. The rheum was a JERK and will never go back there! So, I finally took the initiative and called and endocrinologist and physiasist (i call him my pain doc) (? spelling) and he is atleast giving me enough pain relief to get through most of my day and I have started Lyrica. I spent almost 5 months in TOTAL PAIN with no pain relief at all because the rhem would only give me savella and gabapentin (which i had severe side effects from) (said pain meds would only mask the pain...duh...isnt that what I want it to do?). Why are we so lucky to get this????? Sounds like you are on the right track with your doc :)
I have one of those. I don't use it anymore, since I lost some weight I don't snore as much (still need to lose more weight though). It's not that noisy. Just weird, kind of darth vaderish! LOL!
Yeah, she's my PCP. We talked about Gabapentin and Lyrica, but she's not impressed with the benefits versus the side effects for what I need. Venlafaxine (Effexor) at least has little to no weight gain as a significant side effect, so I'm hoping it's the one that works for me. :) I'm also grateful it has a generic. Saves a little money.