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I think it's time to fire my rheumy ??

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Posted 7/12/2012 11:48 AM (GMT -5)
I'm still new here...posted a few times back in May and then life got in the way, but I'm back...I have been diagnosed w/fibro and the past few years my neck pain has gotten unbearable. I went to my primary care, he blew it off as muscle spasms and/or acid reflux. And of course I bring it up to my rheumy at every visit. The past two visits (I go every two months) I've told him look it's bad, it's burning and searing and shooting down my arm and down my back, etc. Oh just muscle spasms.

Well I finally got tired of this pain, contacted my orthopedic dr that I saw for my back years ago...got an appt, went in, MRI, what do you know...on top of muscle spasms I've got a ruptured disc at C6-C7 pinching a nerve. I'm scheduled to go in for epidural injections Wednesday the 18th.

So...my question is, is it about time to fire this rheumy once I find a new one? He just doesn't/didn't seem to take any of that seriously.

Heather
Posted 7/12/2012 1:24 PM (GMT -5)
I'd find a new one. If this one won't listen to you, there's not much point in seeing him. How do you trust a doctor who won't listen?
Posted 7/12/2012 2:22 PM (GMT -5)
Exactly what I was thinking...if it was just "normal" pain then yeah ok...but I'm pretty much begging you for some help here and he just blows it off :(
Posted 7/12/2012 3:25 PM (GMT -5)
Heather,

Well, I would definitely fire him...and don't forget, it doesn't have to be a rheumy who treats your fibro...just make sure the doctor in question believes in and treats fibro before you even waste your time and money.

I'm sorry you have the disc problem, and that you were blown off. Whadda pain!!

Debbie
Posted 7/12/2012 4:00 PM (GMT -5)
Thanks Debbie...yep, what a pain, literally! So I guess the best thing to do is ASK before I make an appt huh?
Posted 7/12/2012 5:26 PM (GMT -5)
I think so, yes, as long as you have been diagnosed already.

Disc problems are the pitts - I have them, too :(

Debbie
Posted 7/12/2012 6:00 PM (GMT -5)
Yeah I sure do have the diagnosis...wish I could get undiagnosed! LOL

I see in you Sig line you've got herniated at L4-L5...I can sympathize with you at L5-S1. And now of course the neck too...surely does stink!
Posted 7/12/2012 7:03 PM (GMT -5)
Health- I hope you get good results with your neck treatment. I had all my disc ruputered in my neck. At first my Dr. Played around with me too long. They did the epidural a few times. I was in severe pain, especially in my arms. Finally I went to ER and they had to do emergency surgery for spinal cord compression. After the long recovery, it was all worth it. I had my whole neck fused, but the pain was gone. I hope you respond without surgery. When I was reading your post, I can totally relate. I have had many Dr's blow me off. So frustrating.
Posted 7/13/2012 8:25 AM (GMT -5)
I'd get rid of two doctors, the rheumy and the primary care doctor who blows you off.  There ARE good, concerned doctors that will listen to you.  Find ones that do treat fibro patients.  Ask before making the appointment.

 

The rheumy should have ordered x-rays.  When I went to see my rheumy for the first time with my pain complaints, he took 25 x-rays of my spine and neck (everything hurt), 8 vials of blood work, and sent me for 2 MRI's.  That's when I found out I had an inflammatory illness causing most of my severe back and leg pain.  I still have fibro but I have ankylosing spondylitis, too.  I was put on medication and I'm 100% better.  He listened to me.  That makes all the difference in the world. 

 

Sherrine

Posted 7/13/2012 11:44 AM (GMT -5)

ak angel said...
Health- I hope you get good results with your neck treatment. I had all my disc ruputered in my neck. At first my Dr. Played around with me too long. They did the epidural a few times. I was in severe pain, especially in my arms. Finally I went to ER and they had to do emergency surgery for spinal cord compression. After the long recovery, it was all worth it. I had my whole neck fused, but the pain was gone. I hope you respond without surgery. When I was reading your post, I can totally relate. I have had many Dr's blow me off. So frustrating.

Wow....you can relate...it's like WE know something is way wrong and if they don't listen to us there's not much else we can do. I am so glad your pain is gone...yes it's horrible...and the shooting pain down my arm, THAT should have been the dr's key there...that just isn't normal...and what IF something else is wrong besides a muscle spasm.

Ugh.
Heather
Posted 7/13/2012 11:48 AM (GMT -5)
Sherrine, thanks for your reply...and you did really get me to thinking about both dr's and you're right, the primary SHOULD have done more...especially if I tell him it's ALWAYS hurt...but this is worse..hello! What else do I need to say?!

You've REALLY opened my eyes to that...and now I'm thinking back on other situations where I've seen him and it's kinda the same thing..oh ok, here try this med...goodbye! He hardly even touched my neck to even FEEL if there was a spasm!

Thanks everyone for relating :)

Heather
Posted 7/13/2012 8:00 PM (GMT -5)
You could've gone in there with an arrow through the head. "It's just your Fibro."
Posted 7/13/2012 9:06 PM (GMT -5)
I have to agree, fire them both, and when looking for replacements, ask if doc treats fibro first.
Posted 7/14/2012 11:56 AM (GMT -5)
Oh my! That sounds just miserable. You poor thing, to have to suffer like that and not be heard for so long. People (doctors) can make mistakes, but jeesh! that's one heck of a mistake. I'd fire the rheumy as well.
Posted 7/16/2012 7:50 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks all...that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to actually call the dr that my cousin sees and see if I can get in with him (after asking if he treats fibro of course!)...it's so overwhelming to think about starting over with a dr. So many medical records, medication history, tests, etc. etc. I've probably got an encyclopedia that I'll have to get transferred! (my records! LOL) but I can't risk that something ELSE happens and they both overlook it and say "just fibro!" Take your Ultram and exercise and see ya in 2 months. UGH!!!!

Thanks, Heather
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