GREAT IDEA!!! Thanks for taking the initiative to start this thread Serenity
I have suffered with ALL of the debilitating symptoms this terrible disease poses for about the last 7 years.
I can remember being so sick for so long and finally one day while being examined by a rheumatologist, there it was...I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. At the time, I remember thinking now everyone would understand that this hasn't been all in my head and I would finally begin to receive the treatment I so desperately sought...WRONG.
My rheumatologist also recommended the Elavil and exercise.
Finally, I was able to find a compassionate doctor a couple of years ago who was very familiar with the pain and exhaustion associated with FMS. He started me on Hydrocodone and zanaflex, providing me with the first relief I had experienced in years.
Alas, now in KY it is becoming so hard to even receive this conservative treatment, many who suffer with FMS are left to simply suffer. My doctor even began refering his patients to pain management specialists in fear of getting into trouble.

Most Dr's with the exception of your compassionate one. Even though he referred you to
a pain specialist does
at least go against the establishment that hydro won't help fibro..
Good for him and good for you!
Alpha
ps I should edit and add I suffered terrible fibro since my 20's believe it or not..
The Drs did diddle squat to help me.

Alpha, Do you struggle with chronic "fatigue" and mental "fibo-fog" as well?
I know I have gained a considerable amount of weight due to this persistant tiredness. My ability to think fast and clearly also is also impaired.
Surely there is something FMS patients can use to combat these symptoms other than anti-depressants.

hi,
Yes I do at times, and feel feverish like my ribs will be hot or my knees will feel the same.
Sometime I literally hurt all over . No headaches thank goodness .
But every body ache there is. Hydro helps no matter what the so-called medical experts say.
I know you agree..I do take Paxil&klonopin too but thats because of the GAD and panic attacks
I have. If your not depressed I don't see a need for anti-depressants. But who isn't
depressed
over a case of fibro? Its a no win situation as far as meds go.
I think the combo of hydro and a ssri helps me...dang-it more meds to buy-
regards,
Alpha

I've never really had a problem with headaches either, thank goodness. However, I am very familiar with the inflammation and pain that you speak about. If not for the Hydo...I honestly don't think I could make it.
I was on prozac for 2 years and later switched to lexapro , but now (for the past 8 months) I have been off any anti-depressant. They drain me of energy, which causes me to put on weight, which causes me to hurt more, and in turn I get even more depressed....it's a terrible cycle

Well I just had a lovely (insert sarcasms) follow-up with my Pain management doctor.
It seems that where I live at least, someone has decided that Fibro patients need to learn to deal with their pain non-narcotically. In other words, the lortabs I had been getting for some time now will be reduced until I am eventually weaned off of them---at least according to his plan.
I am still furious over this to the point of finding a nbew PM doctor. After all, that IS the reason I go there...pain management.
What are we that suffer from FMS gonna do?

This is a very cool forum. I, too have FMS/CFS but am one of the lucky ones who found a doctor who treats holistically and is unafraid of the DEA. After a series of about 40 blood tests, he classified me in the "typical" FMS/CFS category. He is treating many infections they found as well as giving me supplements for things like anemia, hypothyroidism, etc. His primary goal is to assure I am getting enough GOOD sleep and am comfortable. He started with lortab, then went to oxy, on to percocet and has now put me on duragesic patch with percocet for breakthrough pain. If you go to fibroandfatigue.com it is very helpful in understanding the methodology of my doctor. I honestly do not know what I would do without him. I saw two other doctors before him. My PCP who suspected fibro and put me on Elavil but admitted to having very little knowledge about FM, then I went to a so-called expert according to my HMO who said to take Cymbalta and build a rigorous exercise program.....I left there crying as I was in so much pain and felt such frustration, I was about ready to give it up. Luckily the Fibro and Fatigue center had just opened a few miles from me and my boss told me about it. Her former doctor moved into FMS/CFS as his specialty. I was truly renewed after my first visit with him. I still hurt lots but I have some spinal problems in my L4 and 5 vertebrae but my sense of well-being is greatly improving. I am also trying hard to follow the high alkaoid/low acid diet....but this is tough. The worst things you can eat or drink are my favorites...ice cream, coffee, chocolate....still I am trying.

Hang in there folks. The way FMS has been viewed in the past is changing for the better and I hope you all find the right doctor for you!

Seeker

Thats just terrible of your PMD to do that DaisyDuke, he must have the DEA breathing
down the back of his neck. Or else he's just a scardy cat that is culling out Fibro
people. Whatever, good luck with a new PMD. They just don't get-it when it comes to fibro.
The answer is for the PMD to aquire it then perhaps a change of heart might happen.
Alpha

ps I thought i'd mention for what its worth an opinion from the bone
Dr that I saw and who wouldn't prescribe any meds. He said when I told him I took lipitor
that folks who have fibro and take lipitor it worsens it. So whats it gonna be
folks quit the lipitor
and have a cardiac and see if it helps the fibro? and he still won't
prescribe pain meds..lol

i also have FM & the first Doctor i saw (my Family Doctor) diagnosed me with it. But only gave a prescription for Darvocet 1 time for 30 & advised me to take 1 a day. HA.. i think Darvocet is a joke, to me it is like taking Tylenol, does nothing. He said "he will not go there" (prescribiing it on a regular basis) so i said to my self, i will not go to him. Now i am seeing An IM doctor & i have explained to her Davocet does nothing for me, she said she doesn't want me hooked on anything. The way i see it is, i control the med. So i am going to try for ANOTHER doctor next week. Hope i will have luck. Sorry to vent but i am tired of being looked at like a liar & a trewated like a car, what looks good on the outside does't mean it looks good on the inside.
Thanks for listening!

Thanks for creating this forum! I joined for a totally different reason and now i am getting twice what i hoped for ; ) i was diagnosed 4 years ago, and have been dealing with fibro for 12 years. my rhuematalogist wouldn't prescribe anything but celbrex (did not work) and lodine. my primary care doc said she would script anything to me (including oxy's). i took elavil for a while but it had too many side effects. i also took darvocet, but it did not help. so, i educated myself and started taking natural remedies.....amazingly, they have helped more than anything the doc's prescribed....if anyone wants more info on what has worked for me just ask, i am willing to share my experiences in order to help those who suffer from this horrible affliction......

oh yes! please share. Are you taking herbs? i heard valerian root helps some people.

i see my fibro-fog kicked in. I repeated my message twice...lol...ugh

I actually don't take many herbs. I take a great multiple vitamin called Life Essence Master multiple. it has everything you need in it including green foods. The things i have found most helpful are Colostrum and 5htp. The colostrum regulates your immune system and the 5htp helps you sleep. BUT, you cannot take the 5htp if you take anti-deppressants or maoi's. Magnesium is very important too, it helps relax the muscles. i could go on and on.....there are so many things that help, but those are the ones i have found most helpful. since i started taking them, i have seen a 50% improvment. i still have bad days, but they are much less frequent......do some research on the web and you'll find a lot of info. as for the valerian, i cannot take it personally, it has the opposite effect on me- it makes me have anxiety.