Update on my doctor's visits and perhaps a new treatment plan...

[Tricia in TX]

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I have seen or talked to the new doc 3 times now, and every time he’s tried to put me on prescription pain meds, and each time I tell him I DON’T want to be on pain meds. It is very frustrating. Now that he has all the information from my old doctors, and done a physical exam, and compared all the old info to the new lab work and x-rays he took, he is back to Fibromyalgia. That is funny, because on the first visit before he saw any lab work or x-rays he said he doubted it was that. Fibro was one of the first diagnoses I got years ago. (that was then ruled out by subsequent doctors…)

He said after looking at all the info there is zero chance I have any sort of degenerative arthritic condition. He said I have the best looking hip and knee joints he’s seen in a long time. That’s great to hear, no damage to the joint, but it does not help me get rid of the pain!

I could tell he thought it odd that I was not happy (I was about to cry!) and he said. “It’s good news.” I told him that it may look that way to him, but I’ve been chasing this monster for 17 years and if I can’t name it, I can’t defeat it. I need a diagnosis so I can have a treatment! That’s when he said at this point in the process we move from treatment to managing the symptoms.

I went home and did some more research on Fibro. Things have changed a bit since I was told I had it 10 or 15 years ago. Apparently, some doctors think low serotonin is part of the problem and when Fibro patients are put on a SSRI their pain, stiffness, and fatigue improve dramatically, even in the patients who don’t show any signs of ‘depression’. I thought this looked promising and I’d MUCH rather try a SSRI (never been on one before) than pain meds.

I called the doctor and left a message for his nurse saying I’d like to try a SSRI. She called back with a prescription for ANOTHER pain med; this one more dangerous than the first and harder to get off of. Are you kidding me? So, that was $450 well spent! I am so done with that guy!

I called my GP, who is a lady I like very much and I am sure that if I go in with my research and tell her I want to try a SSRI instead of pain meds, she’ll let me try it. I have an appointment with her on Monday.

I am so incredibly frustrated with doctors not listening.

On the upside, maybe it’ll all be worth it if his pointing back to Fibro caused me to do more research and find the new information about SSRI’s if it ends up working!

Oh Tricia- I can very much relate to your post. I am so sorry your having to go through this, friend! I too have been getting worse these past few years with my Fibro pain.

Jennifer, have you ever tried, or heard of taking a SSRI for Fibro pain? Just wondering if you had any experience with that. You can PM me if you like.