Diagnosed Three years ago and STILL can't find a good pain management DOC

I am at my wits end.  I have been to three different docs, which tell me all the same thing.  "Oh... doctors are just telling people they have it because they don't know what else is wrong with you"

I AM IN REAL PAIN... what do you do to ease the pain?  I have tried everything

Mary

Join me on facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/dietTipsRecipesLowCarb

I was dx 10 yrs ago. I take Neurontin and Cymbalta to help ease the pain. But I'll be honest with you and tell you that I still have pain daily. Nothing helps my pain completely, but these do ease the pain, somewhat.

Hi, has the Cymbalta caused you to gain any weight?

I agree and I take the same meds as you do. I was just taking the cymbalta but was given neurontin for some nerve issues and it helped quite a bit. It makes sense tho because fibro is a muscle, nerve problem so it's no surprise that it helps. I also still have pain and I also have to take narcotic pain meds for arthritis and I still have pain. It is tolerable most days but when it's not all I can do is take it easy for a day or two.

I think we all have to accept that we will hurt to some degree every day but we have to learn to make friends with the pain or at least acknowledge that it is there and won't be leaving. Sometimes something as simple as slow deep breathing helps relax me enough that it helps. We all have to play around with things that help like heat, massage, chiropractic, whatever helps.

It is hard to find someone who specializes in fibro pain sometimes so I would just make alot of phone calls till I find someone who deals with fibro a great deal than go see them because the average doc or sometimes even rheumatologist doesn't know that much about it. Try pain specialists, rheumatologists, neurologists and check with a national fibro organization for someone close to you. Sometimes you can find a university that deals with it. Good luck I hope you are able to find someone to help you!

Pain management can be complex or simple, it depends on the cause of the pain. An example of pain that is usually less complex would be nerve root irritation from a herniated disc with pain radiating down the leg. This condition can often be alleviated with a physical therapy and epidural steroid injection. Other times, however, the pain does not go away. This needws a wide variety of techniques and skills to treat the pain. These skills and techniques include:

·         Physical therapy or chiropractic therapy  Psychological counseling and support

·         Acupuncture and other alternative therapies

·         Referral to other medical specialists

·         Interventional procedures

·         Medication management

All of these services and skills are required because pain can involve many aspects of a person's daily life. The treatment of pain is guided by the history of the pain aggravating and relieving conditions, and structures involved in causing the pain. 

Nathanael King is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, NLP practitioner and weight loss & nutritional therapist. He also helps people suffering from panic attacks or social anxiety. He has written a book on how to build confidence instantly using NLP techniques. Please click here to download now. You can also sign up for weekly newsletter at http://www.SelfProgress.co.uk for your growth.

Mary I feel for you because I know exactly what you are going through! What state are you in? I've found that there is a HUGE difference in doctors attitudes towards Fibro and also pain control, depending on the state.

I live in Pennsylvania - and to be honest, I've had better luck getting proper treatment for my pain from my primary care doctor than from any pain mgmnt. doctor! I personally believe it's because A. Pain specialists see a lot of cancer patients, surgical cases, etc. that are acute cases, and don't have as much compassion for chronic pain patients, and B. Because we don't LOOK sick! Unless a doctor truly believes in Fibro, and has compassion for their patients, it's hard for them to get past how we look.

I take Methadone for pain. Many people don't know that it is in fact a narcotic pain medication, but it's been in use for many years, and is very effective!

One thing that helps when you see a doctor is to keep a pain journal showing how often you are in pain, and how bad it is. Also, write down what you have tried that has helped your pain, and mostly, what has not helped! For instance, list all the meds you have tried, if you have tried heat, exercise, etc. That shows them that you are trying to help yourself and not just looking for pills.

I also think patients have to at times be more....assertive I guess. I see so many friends and relatives ask doctors for things, like pain meds, and as soon as the doctor says "no" they just drop the subject! You do have to be polite of course, but there's no reason you can't ask "may I ask WHY I can't be prescribed pain relief medication"? And then stress to them, how much pain you are in......"I simply cannot bear this daily pain any longer, it makes it impossible to carry out things I need to do......etc etc etc". In the end if the doctor still says no then ask for a referral to a specialist. I have said "ok if you can't help me, give me a referral to someone who can". 

It is extremely hard to find a good doctor who treats pain, but it can be done!

Good luck and message me if you have any questions!