Question:
How educated do you think PCP's really are concerning Bariatric Surgery?
I went in to see my PCP Dr today. Actually she is one of the clinic Dr's that rotate there. I informed her I need to be considering what to use in place of an anti-imflammatory after surgery for my Fibromyalgia. She looked at me quizzically and said, "Why can't you continue taking what you are currently using? (that being Ibuprofen)" I looked at her in utter amazement. I informed her since it was an anti-imflammatory and they are harsh on the stomach anyways, it would wreck havoc on a pouch that small PLUS the pill is just too darn big. She informed me, she does not feel fibromyalgia warrants pain medication... I seriously considered how I'd look in a orange jumpsuit when she said that :-) I think I better change Dr's asap. I told her upon leaving that I'd highly suggest she do some reading on my surgery before coming to unrealistic decisions. As a matter of fact she told me to take a Tylenol. Tylenol will not b.e.g.i.n. to touch the pain. Is my Dr the only one clueless about this surgery? — TerryS (posted on September 12, 2003)
September 11, 2003
I think many doc don't have enough info. My pcp had 1 other wls pt when I
had mine. I'm sure more now, since she has seen how well I have done. every
doc is different, mine has been more than willing to get educated. If you
are going to continue w/ this doc, maybe take a deep breath, forget the
orange jumpsuit, and give her the info in a friendly "I thought you
might find this interesting" way. another thing is that Fibromyalgia
is a fairly mysterious disease that many docs are not well informed on
either. actually there is not enough great nfo out there for anyone to
toatlly understand the disease. the current treatments are pretty trial and
error. I would like to know does wls help fibromyalgia. It seems like
everyone Iknow who has it is pretty overweight. good luck w/ your wls, and
i hope the fibromyalgia improves, what an awful thing to deal with.
— **willow**
September 11, 2003
Run away from this doc! Sounds like one of the docs that prescribe to the
idea that fibromyalgia is not a real disease. (She would change her tune if
she had it.)Many doctors are clueless. Now, be aware that some surgeons
do allow NSAIDs (mine is one of them). He is the head of Laparoscopic and
Endoscopic surgery at a major teaching hospital, has seen the inside of a
lot of stomachs and pouches, so I believe him when he says they don't do
any more damage to a pouch than a regular stomach.
On another note, I was the first person in my PCPs practice to have
laparoscopic RNY and he really didn't know much about the after care, but I
have been able to teach him a lot, and he appreciates it. He has been very
impressed with my progress, and my husband's, and a couple of others who
have had the surgery. I am very lucky to have a doctor who is open to new
ideas and learning from his patients.
— koogy
September 12, 2003
Terry, you really made me laugh out loud. There have been many times I
have thought about how my 400 lb body would looked squeezed into some ugly
orange jumpsuit when I have wanted so badly to react to something extreme.
I am pleased that you were able to keep your composure. And to answer your
question, most pcp are not informed about the post op care we need. I have
a great and very smart pcp (Dr Julia Graves in Dallas). She learned about
WLS. I also did something I recommend that other post ops do. I had my
surgeon, Dr Julie Leverton, call and write my pcp. They were able to talk
Doc-to-Doc. It was extremely helpful and I have had outstanding post
surgery care from both of them. You might give it a try. I am also
dealing with fibromyalgia. You need a good pain reliever. That pcp of
yours is an idiot if she does not know that. Hang in there. Ann in TX
— Ann B.
September 12, 2003
Hi Terry, when my fibromyalgia flares up, I take Tylenol arthritis, and I
take amtriptaline (sp?) at night at bedtime.
Joyce Ismail open RNY 5/21/03 316/263/150
— Joyce I.
September 12, 2003
Not only do they lack education on WLS they are clueless about
fibromyalgia. My husband has it. He had 4 different doctors before he was
referred by a physical therapist to one that knows men can also have it and
that they are truly in REAL pain (he is on morphine).
— LLinderman
September 13, 2003
I heard it is very hard on men. I know a young male that has it and has
been unable to go to school the last 3 years as a result. Thanks all for
the responses..I will truly be checking this week on getting a new
PCP...not gonna stand for that.
— TerryS
September 13, 2003
Hi Terry: Sorry you're in pain. I think you're right, a new doctor asap
is definitely in order. But I don't think your doctor is close to the only
one that's clueless about WLS. The reason I'd change doctor is because
they're clueless about the pain involved in your disease. In my opinion,
that's not a good sign that she feels it's ok to tell a patient that's
seeking pain relief that they don't need it. Good luck finding a more
informed PCP. S
— sherry hedgecock
September 13, 2003
I have fibromyalgia and am in the "thinking about" surgery stage.
Actually I think I am pretty sure that I want to go this way, but have to
work on my engineer minded husband (another issue). Anyway, back to the
fibro. I have a bariatric M.D. in Tempe, Arizona who is trying magnesium
injections on me for the pain. I had my first last Tuesday. I went in
that day to give the injections a chance because I was feeling really
stinky and felt they might be worth the cost ($31 each). I was shocked to
find that by the end of the day I felt substantially better. Now I have no
idea if this is coincidence or the injection yet, but am most hopeful. The
series is of 8 injections over 8 weeks and then repeating depends on the
individual from what I understand. If you would like to check out his
website go to http://www.drscottrigden.com/ because perhaps he could
consult with your doctor if you are in a different state. My doctor
specializes in Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, weight loss, and a variety of
other issues and he uses traditional and non-traditional approaches. I
know he does not take out of state patients and often is a cash only basis
depending on your insurance.
I know from personal experience that all the pain meds in the world do
absolutely NOTHING for my fibro. I quit even trying a long time ago and
have just endured the pain.
Good luck.
— Arizona_Sun
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