I went to my new rheumy today and he did a really thorough health and symptom history.
He believes my RA is not really severe and wants me to stay on Plaquenil and have a baseline eye exam. He also told me that some of the findings point towards fibro but that my lack of restful sleep could be exarcerbating my aches and pains.
He prescribed Flexeril and in a month I need to see him again. At that time if the Flexeril has not helped me I might start on one of the meds that help the fibro.
I mentioned to him that one of my friends with fibro is being treated with Guaifenesin but he told me it is not approved for that, I know that not many Doctors believe in that course of treatment but I would actually rather take that than Cymbalta or one of the other meds for fibro.
He would like for me to start exercising a little and start slowly.
The rheumy asked me if I wanted to stay with him as a patient and so far I like his bedside manner better and his explanations more than the first one.
The first rheumy seemed not interested on even diagnosing fibro since there wasn't anything that could be done about it according to his comments.
I am calmer about my diagnosis since it does make sense why I hurt a lot.
I am hoping this Dr, will continue to listen to me and help me improve my health.
Martilla
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Hi, Martilla,
So happy to hear you saw the rheumatologist. A lot of us here with RA also have Fibromyaliga. I do, and Lene does. It seems like Fibro likes to hang out with RA.
I could not take an of the Fibro drugs. Savella helped a lot w/the burning pain, but all of them raised by bp too much. I ended up taking Lexapro, and it has helped quite a bit. I, too, know people who take Neurotin for Fibro. My ortho wants me to take it for the pain in my wrists from carpal tunnel, but I am holding off since I already take so many meds.
How many mg's of Plaquenil do you take a day. Did your rheumy increse your dose of that, and did he give you any pain meds to take, such as Tramadol?
Hope you have a good weekend, Martilla. With treatment, all this does get better.
Blessings,
V