What kind of doctor?

[tchpsych]

Today I saw a new neurologist, Unfortunately one in the same practce of the neurologist who did my sleep test and suggested taking a nap. I do plan to see another one but because I am seeing a doctor who is famous for treating dizziness, plus this was kind of an emergengy, I am sticking with my PCP for until I see the ENT which is next week.

He was very rude, questioning me why I was there, he did not know what he could do for me, why didn't I make an hour instead of a fifteen minute appointment, which actually my PCP made, etc., why wasn't I seeing a rheumatologists and HE WAS IN A HURRY! He also said I do not have apnea (I did not snore during the test) and when I asked if one test is 100% definitive for apnea, as my boyfriend has sometimes had to move to another room because I snore so loudly. He mumbled something about well the sleep test it isn't like sleeping at home but this did not answer the question I had asked him. Talk about an ego. I finally asked him to stop, told him I would have loved an hour appointment, however my PCP made the appointment and said nothing about seeing a rheumatologist. So if he could speak to me respectfully we would both get out faster. So basically we bickered, although I thought I handled myself well and ended up with an hour appointment but may not keep it as I see the ENT next week and then can change my PCP where I can see the neurologist that someone on this board recommended.

Okay, sorry I needed to vent, but what kind of doctors are people with Fibromalgia seeing? If you live in the Chicago area, any recommendations would be appreciated. Also do people get a sore throat or hoarseness not associated with flu. Right now my symptoms of aching, muscle pain and vertigo are getting worse and I feel like I have the flu and a temp. My temperature is 97.2! The hoaseness seems to occur when my neck muscles are tight. The pain is also disturbing my sleep about two hours before I get up. This all started between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I hope reading this is not as much a pain as I am in now, LOL Thanks!!!!

[ January 13, 2005: Message edited by: tchpsych ]

[EgyptStarr913]

I think I have read a couple of times that sore throat can be one of the symptoms of Fibro. I don't know about the hoarseness, though. I sent you an e-mail, BTW!

Starr

[<Debbie>]

Sore throat and hoarseness can be related to fibro in that fibro is a symptom of sleep apnea or sleep apnea is a symptom of fibro. Either way sleep apnea patients usually sleep with their mouths wide open trying to get enough air to breathe; therefore you get the sore throat and hoarseness. I have sleep apnea which is now treated but for years I had a constant sore throat and now my voice is much deeper and sometimes more hoarse than it was years ago. Fibro patients have to be careful not to blame everything on the fibro. You can kill yourself this way; I have a friend who nearly let her gall bladder rupture because she kept saying it was the fibro. And I have 2 ruptured discs and 5 bone spurs in my neck that I kept thinking was pain radiating from the fibro trigger points. Don't let a doc tell you something is or is not fibro; listen to your own body. You know more about how you feel than any doctor does!!!

[fpicklebaby]

Sore Throat and horseness and fever of course could be a virus; however, if you have it as a "chronic" symptom, you may want to be evaluated for CFS...Good Luck because its about as easy as an eval for Fibro...Have the doc check for Epstein Barr and run a Mono test - while "Useless" standing alone, it is helpful when working towards CFS diagnosis. Research CFS, you will see that lowgrade fever, and sore throat is one of the more classic chronic symptoms and you may have that in addition to all of your other ailments. Good Luck....

[tizzylizzy]

Hi, This is my first time on this site, I have Firbro. for 15 yrs now, and whenever I get tired or in flare-up my throat gets very sore. I live in CT and yes my sypmtoms start getting worse in Oct. After Christmas I'm in a huge flare-up due to pushing myself too hard for the holidays. I'm sorry Tchpsyche that you had to go to that terrible Neurologist, you did handle it excellant, they usually are not that knowledgable about Fibro. It's the Rheumatologists that are the experts. I am very interested to know if you are still going to get the spinal tap. I've never had it done, I don't think it's necessary but am curious as to what they would find. Sincerely, Tiz.

[ishapira]

very often these symptoms are from medial pterygoid muscle. I suggest you get Janet Travell textbook Myofascial pain and dysfunction. A trigger point manual. It is like an encyclopedia of pain where it comes from how to avoid and treat it. It will go thru symptoms at start of chapter and corrective actions. Will teach you how to take control of your pain problem. You can get at library (interlibrary loan from medical library) It is the bible for myotherapists, dentists chiropracters etc.

The problem with finding doctors is that once you call it fibro no one is trying to fix the problem muscle by muscle. Sleep is a perpetuating factor if poor, as is low calcium and magnesium or insuffieint full spectrum light.

Neuromuscular dentists are good at treating head and neck symptoms contact ICCMO You may want to cross check that with dentalsleepmedicine.org credentialed members.

Academy of pain management is excellent but wide range of treaters. There is also myopain society. There are some truly excellent doctors who are members of academy of antiaging medicine. See worldhealth.net

Good luck

[oonee]

LORD YES..all those "flu-y" symptoms are part of FM/ME/CFS for many of us with this Quality-of-Life Related Illness. I've been diagnosed since 86 & that stuff NEVER goes away for long (at least with me)...feel free to email me if you want to talk.sheela_na_gigs@mac.com

[Conway]

I see an md (who diagnosed my fms) and neurologist (who did my sleep study).

I've had great success with both of my doctors and would not trade either.

I take 60 - 80 mgs of Methadone a day, and 8 ml of Xyrem twice each night. The Xyrem has made the most difference in my pain reduction.


~conway~

[Tired Lady]

I am 53 years old and have had fibromyalgia for about 10 years. Recently I began having severe leg cramps in both legs and feet. They have been so severe I can't walk them out. I have been having to get in a tub of water as hot as I can stand it to get the muscles to relas.

I even had a cramp in my pointer finger of my right hand Thursday night.

I am getting over a viral infection in my throat and sinuses and have been experiencing a bad flare of fibromyalgia. My right shoulder, ribs, and collarbone all have excruciatingly tender trigger points. My right leg is sore and also has tender trigger points.

Is anyone else having a problem with hard muscle cramps? Any ideas as to why I would be having them? They started about a month ago.

[sleepymoon]

rheumatologists in my medical community are the ones who dx and treat fibro...i went to one and he found i have ankylosing spondylitis...www.spondylitis.org has a great list of cooperative knowledgable rheumatologists. good luck!