How do you find a doctor who doesn't think Fibromyalgia is all in your head?
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http://www.med-help.net/Fibromyalgia-Doctors.html\n\nhttp://www.fmscommunity.org/findingadoctor.htm\n\nhttp://www.fmaware.org/fminfo/findingRightDoctor.htm\n(scroll down to the very bottom for links on finding a doc)\n\n\nyou also might try calling the dr.'s office and just asking if they treat FM, or asking whether the dr. has any experience dealing with it. Probably need to speak with a nurse. \nin my experience, i went through many many dr.'s until was I diagnosed. i didn't know anything about it until a little under a year ago, after complaining to a friend who has FM who told me my symptoms sounded just like hers. no dr.'s ever mentioned the word Fibromyalgia, some even suggested that it was in my head. \nafter researching FM, i confronted my current dr. with it. \nafter constant badgering (i felt) on my part and insistence on blood tests, or on any tests that would find something (or nothing in the case of FM), she finally realized i had it, and sent me to a rheumatologist who confirmed it within 5 minutes. \ni guess my point is that you have to be your own advocate.. go to the dr. armed with information and your symptoms of FM. you have to be very persistent and a little pushy i think to get someone to listen to you.\ni hope this helps. good luck and remember that it won't kill you, just make your life a living hell some days:)
563984
Always remember that when you choose a doctor it is the same way that you go shopping if you dont like and item then you put it back on the rack and you continue searching.  A doctor sometimes really dont care about your sickness especially if he/she is being overworked-you should find a doctor who will listen to you and provide you with positive feedback about your condition and also shows concern--sometimes when you go to the doctor you can tell how a doctor may be by just the feeling of the waiting room so try to pick up on vibes sometimes and see what happens for you but you should try another doctor because as long as they feel stressed out they dont care
242400
Finding another Dr. is the only way I can think of. Some Dr.'s are really leery though, husband's Dr. has "WE DO NOT PRESCRIBE OXYCOTIN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES" posted all over. Sad, since it helps people. \n\nPlease don't be one of the reasons people who REALLY NEED pain meds can't get them...
1185723
check with a dr, not with us dummies lol
625375
Fibromyalgia is complicated, I have it.  My theory is a little different than alot of others.  I believe it's a breakdown of the immune system due to lymphatic problems.  See the lymph system is responsible for the T and B cells that fight illness.\n\nThis came out recently, excellent article, somewhat backs what I've believed all along, the fibro, CFS and other illnesses come from a whacked out lymph system.\n   \nUK Physician Believes He's Found Proof of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ImmuneSupport.com\n\n08-10-2005 \n\nDoctor takes stigma out of 'yuppie flu' \nBy Deborah Haile \n\nDr. Raymond Perrin believes he has proof that chronic fatigue syndrome - once dubbed yuppie flu - has a physical cause. \n\nFor years sufferers of CFS - which includes ME - have lived under the stigma of being diagnosed with a condition that many dismissed as being in the mind. But Manchester osteopath Dr. Perrin believes he has proved that the debilitating syndrome is the physical result of the way the body deals with toxins. \n\nHe believes a picture of varicose lymphatic vessels taken during a research project at Salford University shows for the first time the "backflow" of lymphatic drainage that he believes is the cause of toxin build-up. \n\nAnd it is this accumulation of toxins in the central nervous system, which Dr. Perrin believes is the cause of conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome and ME. \n\nValves \n\nDr. Perrin, who runs clinics in Prestwich, central Manchester and London, said: "Normally these vessels are the size of the thinnest pencil line and you can't usually see them without a magnifying glass, but the fact they are swollen like this is significant. There is a backflow against the valves. \n\n"Very rarely can you see these, but with every person I have seen in the last 16 years with chronic fatigue syndrome you can feel them under the surface. It means this person has had ME for a number of years." \n\nUntil now experts have believed that valves in the lymphatic vessels only allowed the flow of fluids in one direction. But Dr. Perrin says these varicose lymphatic vessels - which resemble varicose veins but are the same colour of the skin instead of a bluish colour - are the proof that the backflow exists, when vessels are damaged, allowing toxins to concentrate in the central nervous system. He revealed the picture at a seminar at Salford University. He hopes to publish it in a respected medical journal later in the year. \n\nMargaret Cannon, who had to give up work because of the condition, said: "After about three months of Raymond's treatment my concentration was restored and the symptoms improved greatly." \n \n\nOnline at http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/men/news/health/s/168/168143_doctor_takes_stigma_out_of_yuppie_flu.html\n\nPS: allergies, long term ones can mess up the lymphatics by the congestion in the nodes, so it all ties in.
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What a terrible situtation for you! As if having Fibro isn't enough. The two answerers above seem to have forgotten that there's a little law called the Americans with Disabilities Act.  \n\nDoes your employer know for a fact that you have been diagnosed with having Fibro? If not, speak to your doctor about the situtation and have him/her send your employer's Human Resources Department and your Nursing Supervisor a letter explaining that you have Fibro and provide recommendations, be sure to get copied in on the letter for your records. Next, create a paper trail by keeping a journal of what happens each day at work and how you feel at the end of the day. Next share with Human Resources your situtation and see what they have to say. This gives them notice that the hostility needs to be addressed immediately.\n\nA study explains why we feel so much pain and you may want to share it with Human Resources also.\n\nFibromyalgia pain, isn't all in patients' heads new brain study finds. \nJune 7, 2002 \nfMRI scans give first objective measure of mysterious ailment, provide road map for future study\n\nANN ARBOR, MI - A new brain-scan study confirms scientifically what fibromyalgia patients have been telling a skeptical medical community for years: They're really in pain.\n\nIn fact, the study finds, people with fibromyalgia say they feel severe pain, and have measurable pain signals in their brains, from a gentle finger squeeze that barely feels unpleasant to people without the disease. The squeeze's force must be doubled to cause healthy people to feel the same level of pain - and their pain signals show up in different brain areas.\n\nThe results, published in the May issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, the journal of the American College of Rheumatology, may offer the proof of fibromyalgia's physical roots that many doubtful physicians have sought. It may also open doors for further research on the still-unknown causes of the disease, which affects more than 2 percent of Americans, mainly women.\n\nLead authors Richard Gracely, Ph.D., and Daniel Clauw, M.D., did the study at Georgetown University Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health, but are now continuing the work at the University of Michigan Health System. In an editorial in the same issue, Clauw and U-M rheumatologist Leslie Crofford, M.D., stress the importance of fibromyalgia research and care.\n\nTo correlate subjective pain sensation with objective views of brain signals, the researchers used a super-fast form of MRI brain imaging, called functional MRI or fMRI, on 16 fibromyalgia patients and 16 people without the disease. As a result, they say, the study offers the first objective method for corroborating what fibromyalgia patients report they feel, and what's going on in their brains at the precise moment they feel it. And, it gives researchers a road map of the areas of the brain that are most - and least - active when patients feel pain.\n\n"The fMRI technology gave us a unique opportunity to look at the neurobiology underlying tenderness, which is a hallmark of fibromyalgia," says Clauw. "These results, combined with other work done by our group and others, have convinced us that some pathologic process is making these patients more sensitive. For some reason, still unknown, there's a neurobiological amplification of their pain signals."\n\nFurther results from the study were presented last year at the ACR annual meeting. The project will continue later this year at UMHS, joining other fMRI fibromyalgia research now under way.\n\nFor decades, patients and physicians have built a case that fibromyalgia is a specific, diagnosable chronic disease, characterized by tenderness and stiffness all over the body as well as fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal problems and depression. Many patients with the disease find it interferes with their work, family and personal life. Statistics show that far more
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I don't entirely trust my doctor. In most instances I trust his treatment when he is sure what it is he's treating me for. But sometimes he is only guessing, or just doesn't know what's wrong. Then I don't trust his ordering a multitude of expensive tests, especially when he still doesn't find out what's wrong. I don't trust his being so hidebound in his search for a diagnosis, so cautious about going outside the box, so to speak, to find a cure.
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Fibromyalgia is a soft tissue rheumatism problen.  It causes severe pain from the top of your head to your feet.  The arthritis foundation is realizing the severety and you can find much good\ninfo on this.  I have had it since 1985 and have suffered but\nI never gave up and tried anything and everything.  At this time I am taking rioboost and last week the Dr. said to go to corvalen.\ncom and use a product with ribose and mallic acid and magnesium.  I have not started this yet but will order it asap.\nI also have MG and arthritis so the money for OTC and prescriptiondrugs holds me back sometimes but I keep going.\nSometimes I have to choose which is the most important.,\nbut the pain of fibro rules most of the time.  I can't take steroids\nbut they will pull you out of pain fast while you research what will be best for you.  Good luck and God bless.
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Check out www.fibromyalgiatreatment.com/.  \n\nThen get the entire family checked for hyperinsulinemia - a precursor condition for hypoglycemia (a sometimes concurrent condition with fibromyalgia), diabetes and heart trouble.\n\nFor basic information on hyperinsulinemia, check out www.hufa.org.
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I feel your pain  as I too do not like to go to doctors, however; it is important that you do go. Look to a friend that has a doctor that they trust and go see that one, when you first see the doctor tell him/her how you feel.
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first, stop complaining ( idont mean this disrespectfully) start claiming your healing! Positive words from your mouth only! Thank God for healing you and believe. Break all strongholds the enemy thinks he has on you, and stop reinforcing them.  he can not hear your thoughts, but he can hear you speak. Speak only with a knowing that you will be healed, and stay positive in that way as well. Fibromyalgia and depression go hand in hand almost all the time, your physical pain is your internalized anger. find out why the anger is there and deal with it. God will help.\nStop feeding any and all negativity into yourself, by your own thoughts and mouth. This is something that grows so big inside of you it may take a while to cleanse.\nRefresh your mind and your soul and start feeding it love and healing. "With God ALL things are possible" Know this.\nGod bless you.\nSorry if this sounds a bit extreme, but ive seen this grip on others, and i know that God heals. Ive been a nurse for 20 yrs. and my mom suffered terribly from fibromyalgia.\nFYI sweethart please know this has not been caused by sin. when the enemy is trying to suck you down, its because he is extremely threatened by you or Gods plan for you.
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I was diagnosed with it when I was in my 20's...over 20yrs ago!  It is a relatively new diagnosis and doctors are just now beginning to understand just how debilitating it can be... make sure you trust your doctor as it is not an easy diagnosis to make and there are alot of other illnesses out there that have symptoms very similar to fibromyalgia!  My sister swears by herbs to help hers.... I swear by pain meds and rest.... guess it all just depends on a persons point of view and just how bad a day that person is having!
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Hi Smoothladyb.  I am a retired Chiropractor so I will suggest a good Chiropractic evaluation, but I would like to make a couple of additional comments.\n\nYour condition is very unusual, which makes it very challenging for any doctor to 'sort out'.  However, just because your symptoms are unusual it does not mean they are not real!\n\nYears of experience (meaning my many screw-ups that turned into learning experiences) have taught me that when the patient has a strong sense about the cause of their condition it often 'pays off' to listen to their insights.  So, if you truly feel like you are dealing with a circulation problem, continue to push your doctors to evaluate that.\n\nYour hypertension and kidney issues clearly indicate that you have problems with your vascular endothelium (the lining inside your arteries).  It doesn't sound like your doctors are addressing this underlying problem, but rather, are merely treating the sign of the problem - the hypertension.  It may be a good idea to find a doc that is more focused on treating CAUSE rather than signs and symptoms.  A good Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractor, or Medical Doctor interested in 'Functional Medicine' may be able to help you.  You can find a list of Functional Medicine docs on the website for "The Institute of Functional Medicine" (just do a web search of that name to find their website).\n\nAn excellent book on Hypertension and related cardiovascular issues just came out called:  "The High Blood Pressure Hoax".  It is written by Sherry Rogers, M.D. and covers a large variety of underyling causes of hypertension and damage to your endothelium (issues that most medical doctors don't care enough about to educate themselves on).\n\nThe last time I checked, this new book was not yet available at Amazon.com, but it may now be there.  If not, you can order directly from the publisher at 1-800-846-6687.  I highly recommend this book for someone like you who clearly has the intelligence and motivation to do a little 'real' learning about your health.\n\nAnother book on hypertension that I might suggest for you is by Mark Houston, M.D., professor of cardiology at Vanderbilt Medical School.  The book is called: "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension".  This book is available at Amazon.com for only $10.17.  I have heard Dr. Houston lecture at professional educational semiars and his info. is cutting edge 'medicine'.\n\nI hope this long discourse has been helpful to you.  Best wishes and good luck.
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I do and it is quite debilitating.\n\n“Fibroid myalgia” or fibromyalgia as it is better known is a common condition characterized by generalized pain and fatigue. This condition has nothing to do with fibroids, but is more a form of rheumatoid athritis.\n\nI regularly see a Chiropractor, Accupuncturist and a Massage Therapist and I take Naproxen and Norflex because the pain is so intense sometimes.   It affects my lower back and my shoulder blades are constantly aggravated.  I am usually in constant pain and stressed out about my back because it affects my daily living. My muscles are always sore and makes me tired and irritable.\n\nI am looking to see a rheumatologist.\n\nOh yeah -- symptoms include migraine headache, decrease in short term memory, cognitive dysfunction, blurred or double vision, hypersensitivity to sound and smells, shortness of breath, chest pains, palpitations, irritable bowel, irritable bladder, painful menses, painful urination, multiple drug allergies, multiple sensitivities to chemicals.
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I am assuming that you live in the USA??? If so, there are PAIN clinics you can take him to that can help with more diagnosis. Also maybe see a nuerologist for other diseases or disorders. \nThe reason I say this is because I have severe ( on again off again ) pain at the site of my liver. I have been dignosed with Localized Scheleraderma ( not the same as scheraderma) and Fibromyalgia. Its what hit me when I read your question. Never give up. Keep going to different doctors until you get the answers you need.\nGood luck!
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OK that might be me, lol.I will change my profile!!!! I have fibromyalgia. It is a illness reconized by the arthritis foundation. I will change my profile and put the whole name!!!\n\nWow, I am glad I saw this. Really. Thank you. I am trying to get ppl better informed. I know there are many that are sick and do not know what is wrong!!! Yesterday was National Fibromyalgia Day!!! \n\n\nA lot of ppl with it call it FMS. I do not have false memory sydrome, never heard of that. Sorry I just assume more ppl know about it. That is wrong of me. Their are so many illnesses. \n\nHere is a bit what it is: I have tons of links. Basically I have all kinds of problems. Some are sicker then me and some better. But I have daily pain, fatigue and many problems that never go away. I often feel like I have the flu. \n\nFibromyalgia\nAdapted from these Arthritis Foundation publications: Fibromyalgia brochure, Guide to Good Living with Fibromyalgia and Good Living with Fibromyalgia Workbook.  \n\nWhat Is It?\n\nFibromyalgia (fye-bro-my-AL-gee-ah) is an arthritis-related condition that is characterized by  generalized muscular pain and fatigue. The term "fibromyalgia" means pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. This condition is referred to as a "syndrome" because it's a set of signs and symptoms that occur together.\n\nFibromyalgia is especially confusing and often misunderstood condition. Because its symptoms are quite common and laboratory  tests are generally normal, people with fibromyalgia were once told that their condition was "all in their head." However, medical studies have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed exist, and it is estimated to affect about 2 percent of the U.S. population today.\n\nIn 1990, the American College of Rheumatology, the official body of doctors who treat arthritis and related conditions, finally legitimized fibromyalgia in the medical community by presenting its criteria for diagnosing it. It is diagnosed when the you display the following symptoms:\n\nA history of widespread pain (pain on both sides of the body and above and below the waist) that is present for at least three months\n\nPain in at least 11 of 18 tender-point sites.
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talk to your doctor don't trust the opinions of people on the Internet