Hi again.........

Sorry I only seem to come here intermittently for support. My life seems pretty busy to me. I have Fibro and osteoarthritis really bad in my feet, knees and hands.
On top of that, I have a doctor phobia. I had a couple bad experiences with a rheumatologist and I didn't want to go back. But they got a new female doc there, so I asked if I could be referred to her. It had been over 3 years since I saw the other doc (male). After waiting for their answer for several weeks, they said, no, I couldn't change docs. So I said "Bye Bye!"
After researching awhile I found another female rheumie that's not too far away and has good reviews. But I have to wait a month to get in to see her. But I do have an appointment scheduled.

Here's my dilemma. I've seen a neuro doc for peripheral neuropathy and he said to take B vitamins. Those only seemed to heighten my buzzing and tingling. In November, everything got worse everywhere in my body. Even my new orthotics in my shoes that had been helping for 6 months, suddenly stopped helping. The buzzing and tingling has gone up to my lower back (both legs), and is 24/7. All the usual labs are normal. My upper thighs and ham strings feel like they totally freeze up every time I get up out of a sitting position. I have bone-on-bone knees, but since I refuse to treat them, I'm responsible for the pain there. I have sleep apnea and wear a cpap. I also have been wearing a MORA device at night for my TMJ.......which has also suddenly worsened. And my memory has gotten horrible. Absolutely awful.

Okay......after dumping that on all of you.........is a rheumatologist going to address most of these problems? Yes, I have refused some medications because I feel that most of my doctors haven't ruled out much and I don't want to be on a brain med, until we rule out other things. I know I sound like a broken record. I have emotional issues that cause me problems in taking care of some of these physical problems. Yes, I'm feeling like a hypochondriac. I talk about my issues constantly......in hopes of getting help/support. I hurt 24/7 in my entire body. Funny, I wasn't such a wimp until I went through menopause. I'm 70 now.......so I've been a wimp for quite a while. ;) It's really hard to find a doctor who treats the whole body, and doesn't just zero in on his/her specialty.

I have a primary care doc who's pretty smart, but he has me pegged as having FMS, and as long as my general labs are normal, he doesn't have much to offer except Cymbalta and gabapentin. I know all of us are different, but do you honestly think those 2 drugs could make a big difference in how I feel? I'm presently on a small dose of sertraline (can't go higher because of diarrhea), and metoprolol. I take D3 every day and a few other vitamins. (Docs don't seem to think about vitamins at all). Recently, I started taking Tramadol. I only take 50mg every other day. It's unbelievable how it helps my depression.....even more than it helps my pain. It makes me understand how feeling good can get you addicted. Fortunately, I'm very cautious with it.

Thanks for listening. I realize I'm emotionally in a corner and am terrified to step out of it.........which just adds to the pain and depression. Please be kind. I'm doing the best I can, under the various circumstances in my life.
I appreciate your feedback...........

Hi cathy,

Tramadol helps me some, but the weather has been bouncing all over the place, so i am feeling off from that...

I use topical pain relievers to help the painful areas, i use an acupressure mat, its calming...

Sherrine is right , a good dr can help you figure things out..but you do have to leave the bad ones

Cathy, most of us have a lot of pain and try various things to see what helps us get things under control. I told you what I use. Some like turmeric. I haven’t heard of Cymbalta causing weight gain. It was Lyrica that members had big weight gains.

Not all pain is caused from fibro. You said you have bad knees and arthritis. Those things can cause a lot of pain and it’s not from fibro. My ankylosing spondylitis and sacroiliitis cause a lot of pain and that’s not from fibro. You mainly need to find what helps you the most and have doctors you trust and will listen to what the tell you and try what they prescribe.

You need to accept the fact that you have chronic pain and most likely will the rest of your life. Then find things that help ease your pain and move forward. Also, you are getting older...we all are...and that can make doing things more difficult for us. I can’t do what I did 20 years ago but I do the very best that I can and pat myself on the back for it!

I hope you like your new rheumy and will listen to them and, if they prescribe something, I hope you will try it. You are wasting your time and theirs if you don’t.

Again, take one day at a time and be thankful for all the things you can do and try a few things to see if they aid with your pain. My hairdresser today said she uses turmeric and it works great for her pain. She told me about it because I had to stop ibuprofen for 10 days because I’m having skin cancer surgery next week. Without ibuprofen I’m having more pain than usual. Anyway, the turmeric is over the counter and you can ask your pharmacist about it to make sure it does’t interact with medication you do take.

Sherrine

Thanks again Sherrine and Luvzminis!
Sherrine, I am so impressed with your attitude! You are a very strong person! Good luck with your surgery, and I hope everything turns out well!
I will look up some good brands of the turmeric, and I will check out that thread about alternative treatments Luvzminis.
And I do know that I have to start trying some of the doc's suggested drugs.
Today is a Tramadol day, so it should be better. I only let myself use it every other day. It does raise my spirits, for sure. It's not like I get high.........I just can focus on life and not my pain or depression.
Thanks again you guys!

Thanks, Luvs! I had the surgery yesterday and had the wound stitched up today. I feel like I’ve been kicked in the head by a horse but this too shall pass. I just took Tylenol and Robaxin to hopefully help with the pain. I haven’t been allowed to take ibuprofen since March 1st but have done fine. I can start it up again in two days since I need it for my ankylosing spondylitis. The surgeon ordered a few Percocet for me if I need it but I’m hoping I don’t need to take that stuff. I’m sure I will feel a lot better tomorrow.

The good news is the cancer is off my head. Do wear hats guys if you are going to be out in the sun for any length of time. I never wore hats, only visors, and didn’t think I needed to since I had plenty of hair. But the surgeon said I have a lot of sun damage on my scalp. This is the second surgery on my scalp plus I had surgery on my forehead...all in one year. So do pay attention. Squamous cell carcinoma can present itself looking like a pimple.

Sherrine

Yes, the pain is a lot better. Thanks!

I thought the same as you. I thought our hair acted like a hat to protect the scalp. I always use good suntan lotion before I go out but I only wore a visor and sunglasses. No hats. Now the surgeon is saying I have a lot of sun damage on my scalp! I was floored. So do wear hats if you will be in the sun for a long while.

Sherrine