Chronic pain...no diagnosis

Hi, I'm new. My name is Gina and I am 36 years old. I guess I came here because I am more frustrated than anything and I am curious if anyone can relate to my story at all. The doctors sure don't seem to care. This all started with an irretractable migraine that lasted for 8 months. Finally, after many ER visits and what seemed to be, unnecessary treatments. The migraine abated. However, I was and am currently left with severe neck, shoulder, hand, hip, knee and foot pain. It seems to be severe joint pain that radiates throughout my body. My MRI of the brain was clean, my cervical spine showed mild DDD with 2 slightly bulging discs. Apparently, the neuro considers this normal. In the mean time, I have developed tremor on my right side and variations of hyperflexia. 3 neuro's, none are concerned. My pain doctor says fibromyalgia or mayofacial pain syndrome, (fatigue is definitely an issue as well) I have been turned down by two rheumatologists for whatever reason, and my pain doctors office can't seem to find the time to find a rheumy that will take me. ***sigh*** The clincher to all of this is I will be relocating to a different state and will have to start all over. Does this sound familiar at all? Any advise?

In some rural or semi-rural areas specialists are letting the family doctors handle the treatment once a fibro diagnosis is made. There simply are not enough practicing specialists in these areas to go around and many times to see one means at least a 2 hour round trip if not longer.

Have you tried any of the medications typically prescribed for fibro like Lyrica, Cymbalta or Neurontin? If not try talking to your family doctor about giving them a try. If one doesn't work then try another. While they are similar there is enough difference between them to make it worthwhile to try all of them if one or the other is not effective. Most family doctors I know are very willing to try these medications as they are not narcotics.

While those meds may not eliminate your pain they might at least reduce it. It is also possible that you have more than one issue going on, but if you can get one thing under control it should make it easier to find out what else is going on and go from there.

Hello and welcome.

I agree with the others and have been through that process of bad dr's and no "real" issues. Also, when they see you have a MH diagnosis...despite the fact that one thing has nothing to do with the other....they judge you immediately. It's such a shame because the word anxiety or PTSD can stop good medical treatment providers in their tracks.

My answers (for the pituatory disorder) came from an endocrinologist I was referred to for diabetes. I actually have very low blood-sugar, but do have spikes occasionally. Nobody would work with me or listen and then my PCP referred me to this man and he figured everything out within two visits. It was amazing because nobody had ever heard of the problem I was having and he could figure it all out so quickly. The right tests showed everything very clearly.

As the others said, I hope the new set of eyes will be your answer. The stress of the move may be a trigger and may give them something more clear to look at once you get there.

Good luck!

Hi there, just wanted to welcome you aboard. Sorry you are suffering so much but glad you found us. Have you tried a pain management doctor to see what he has to offer you?
Not sure what else to say, sorry i am really brain dead at the moment.

But glad you came here and hope you will keep posting.

Suzane

P.S. the darn PM is moving to a new office so I am pretty messed up!