Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Edie asks

Q: My Doctor won't refer me to a Fibromyalgia specialist. Who is my ombudsman on this?

I live in Eastern WA state.

I'm on medical coupons and have already appealed a denial for SSDisability. They did not do their work on making the doctors' offices send all my files. I gave them all the information. The 'C.H.A.S. clinic is slow and it seems the whole clinic is against and doesn't want to support anyone with this disease. They aren't making sure that the medical records are being sent out either.

I had one of my doctors say "There's nothing I can do for you", but didn't refer me to anyone else either! I've been to many doctors in this town with this attitude. I had a rhematoid arthritis Dr. in Idaho but she wanted me to get a primary care physician and would'nt treat some of my symptoms. Her front desk personnel had the same attitude regarding the disease and were slow getting my records out.

It's been a fight and when I can't think or function and am in a lot of pain I just don't have what it takes to keep fighting all the time.

Lately I've been in a 'flare-up' and went to the Dr. It's been over a week and he or his nurse still have'nt returned my calls regarding meds. He also has'nt returned a call from the state regarding a medication that is highly recommended for people with Chronic Abstructive Sleep Apnea ( I have severe sleep apnea).

Who do I have for legal representation? Who can help me get the medical and theraputic care that I need? Thank you for your help and for this web-site. Edie

Answers (2)

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Lisa

10/21/08 5:49am

Contact legal aid, they can refer you to someone to help you get the care you need, and let them know exactly how much you're suffering, don't hold back. Contact your local state representative as well, who can speed up the SSD processing.

Research medications heavily. Ask to be put on Cymbalta. If you can tolerate it, the side effects are minimal, but I know people that can't handle it, if you can, take 120 mgs twice a day after the first few months. That helps immensely. Look for a doctor that specializes in psychopharmacology. They will know what you need and what to prescribe better than anyone. PCP's don't know hot to treat fibromyalgia, they'll only give you pian meds and muscle relaxers, and that's only if they've dealt with other patients in similar situations. See what works for you, but FIGHT and don't be afraid to do so.

Carrie

10/29/09 6:48am

Just got my disabilaty for fybromyalgia, support from a wonderful phsyc dr. who new alot about my cronic pain.....apeal , like i had to. this time i got a women lawyer who helped me, and 2 other dr. said i could no longer work...It took me adout 4 years...cause they have a one year waiting period befor they start giving paper work to the dr. to feel out.you stay involved with your files.....make sure you have a great dr. who belieaves in you and fibro, see a shrink with it, cause you need support from them living with cronic pian and the deprresion that comes with it,,,,the more you see your dr.s the more they understand and it will help u in the long run.......Carrie

Q: My Doctor won't refer me to a Fibromyalgia specialist. Who is my ombudsman on this?

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