I have been more discouraged throughout the last year in my quest to locate a new physician to treat my chronic pain issues. I was fortunate that I had been with same understanding and still have to commute for 8 hours back to my old doctor because I cannot locate a new doctor who will even accept me as a patient. I have been with this same doctor for 18 years and as he is with a teaching center, he seems to be isolated and hasn't been able to help in my search. It seems that the couple of doctors that I saw had no understanding of the life of a chronic pain patient nor did they express any interest in wanting to accept a new patient. I've had several people to tell me that there is very little to no training available in med schools today. Also, my doctor state that the US is far behind other countries in the treatment of chronic pain. When 4 of of the top 20 diagnosed conditions involve chronic pain, it would seem that there would be a focus education. Another area of concern is the lack of any new drug/treatment options and the seemingly tighter restrictions on prescribing. Thank you for your role in helping increase the awareness and education of Fibromyalgia. We are indeed grateful to have you as an advocate for us. We can only hope this study will bring about much needed changes, but recently, the change seems to have been in the wrong direction as far as chronic pain patients are concerned.
I myself who went from Doctor to Doctor to try to figure out what was going on with me, luckily I have a wonderful primary Doctor, who did everything she could to refer me to all kinds of specialst. Here is what the problem is,, I think. Instead of the 4 out of 20, lets change it to the "16s"... Asthma, a stethascope to listen, a blowing tube to measure how quick you can blow and to what number, and oxegen level- here is a script for albuterol, monitor your breathing at home followed by very important tips for when an attack takes place.. Weight gain- Thyroid? hmmm. blood test, levoxyl, follow up in two months to make sure the mcg's are not too high or low, and a med adjustment. A patient c/o lower back issues,-bone density, maybe an x-ray- here is a script for Flosamax for Osteo, take the pill once a week.... just a few of the 16.. WE GO TO THE DOCTORS, explain whats going on, hmmm,, cant tell by blowing in a tube to measure,, cant take blood, an mri wont show it, we arent gaining weight,, "sorry you will have to go some place else, either your a hypercondriac or have mental issues",,, close......... yes we do have anxiety cuz just because Doctors cant figure it out in less than the time it takes to take blood, Its all in our heads !!!!. nooo, its because you can not see it by just looking at us. Or/and Doctors don't know and wont admit it. hence-the invisible condition. Or maybe embarassed that they havent a clue. PLEASE NOTE: I AM NOT MAKING LIGHT OUT OF CONDITIONS I USED AS AN EXAMPLE. Was just trying to make a point that if the doctors dont know off the bat, usually we are sent away and made to feel like it is all in our heads, and it usually takes us forever to get diagnosed with F.M., It only took me 18 years for the DX.(diagnose).. So after all those years, no wonder why we suffer from depression.!!!! YES KAREN, WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE AN ADVOCATE LIKE YOU!!! keep up the great work!!!! Linda
I am a member of this site because I have migraine disease, and chronic daily migraine which I am currently fighting to get under control. However, I also have Fibromyalgia. I found this site searching for information for my migraines. However, when I searched the Health Central "sites" for "fibromyalgia" it was not listed! I was shocked - and still am! I hope this research will change that. I have given up on Health Central as a tool for Fibromyalgia, even though it is awesome! - yes awesome! - as a tool for migraine disease. I say this because it brought to my attention a new medication for migraine prevention, which I in turn took to my doctor. I have been on it for three weeks and it seem to be working. So please advocate for fibromyalgia being added as a "site" to Health Central's home page!
good eyes and a good post. however Fibromyalgia falls under Chronic Pain, I agree there should be one for Fibromyalgia, but look at it this way,... If someone was having chronic pain, wide spread, and had no clue what it could be, and went under Chronic pain, that is where it is located. This web site should not be given up do to the fact that FM is not listed here, it is.- It is under Chronic Pain,and also under C.F.S, TMJ. Among others. I am happy you found the information that you were looking for as far as your migraines.. Dont get mad and turn your back on HEALTH CENTRAL. it helps us so much. Read the posts, answer the posts, we have such great people who have lived in our shoes and have so much more insight. I hope you do think about this, and not be as angry as you are. We have so many experts in so many areas . Perhaps you can understand that not ALL conditions are named straight out. but they are in here, trust me. If your not sure.ASK ONE OF US, we will be happy to direct you to the right area, or an area that can get you to be, so you will be helped through our experts and through those of us who use this site very often. I sincerely hope you did find the info that you needed. take care. Linda
Christina,
just an F.Y.I. if you look to the right of this post you will see questions, asked (and.. more like this it states) if you click on it, there will be an alphabet on the top, click on "F' Fibromyalgia is in there. It is under a lot of things. Perhaps this may help you find some answers you are looking for or interested in.. If i can be of any help i certainly will try as well.
take care,, Linda
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. Again I am a fan of health central for my migraines. Perhaps I just need a few pointers. Thanks again.
Sometimes it's good to be listed on a top 20 list, but this is not the time. Unfortunately, I have a least half of the conditions on the list, including all you have highlighted.
I agree that medical schools need to spend a lot more time on the subject of pain, especially chronic pain. I also feel physicians need to have more compassion for the chronic pain sufferer.
Many physicians just don't want to deal with a patient with chronic pain. I was passed off from one doctor to another before I finally received my fibromyalgia diagnosis.
Thank you for your hard work concerning FM awareness. You have made a direct impact on treatment improvement by those in the medical community.