Finally.......an Honest Doctor!

Hello! I am sure a lot of us have ran into a few doctors that like to "dance around" the fibroymialgia issue. I got to meet my surgeon, Dr. Steward, yesterday and the effect of surgery on fibromyalgia was a hot topic. He did NOT dance around the issue, and answered all of my questions honestly and with respect. There was no "blowing it off", no "Don't worry, everything will be fine" etc. He simply said that they don't know a whole lot about it, it would NOT go away with surgery, but I should feel better just because on the extra weight coming off. He is already working with me on different pain medications that I can replace my ibuprofin (my best friend) with. Overall, I was very happy and felt like he had my and my WHOLE situation in mind..and actually cared.

Isn't it so awesome to find a doc that actually believes in fibro and us and that is willing to work with us. I have one of those docs in my PCP and he just rocks. I went in just the other day and told him my fibro was really hurting and that the oxycodone for my spinal arthritis wasn't helping the fibro pain anymore. He asked what we'd used in the past and I told him nothing yet but that I'd read where neurontin was sometimes helpful with the pain. So he pulled out his trusty Rx pad and wrote me a script for it. Now he's not one to just throw pills at you and I have to have my oxycodone monitored closely which is fine with me, but he trusts my knowledge and always works with me especially on pain issues. Not many docs will do that, so you are lucky to have found one that will!

I love it! I'm VERY happy you have a Doc that cares as well. My father-in-law is doctor, and I usually don't have many conversations with him on medical issues..but as far as fibromyalgia..his wife has it, so I lucked out there..lol. (That sounded terrible, but you know what I mean.) LOL

I am very happy that you found a doctor who was both honest about the effects of WLS on Fibro and is willing to work with you to find a pain medication to replace your Ibuprofen!  That's terrific!

Would you mind sharing what medication he's trying? I was recently diagnosed but know that I have been suffering for years.  I used to take lots of NSAIDS, both OTC and RX, because they worked best on my aches and pains.  However, I knew that WLS would probably eventually require me to find an alternative and after my EGD when Dr. Srikanth found a hiatal hernia, gastritis and evidence of scarring, I knew the time had come to say goodbye to my longtime friend.  My PCP switched me from Relafan to Tramadol plus OTC Tylenol.  It's just not working the same.  I get up every morning barely able to walk and spend most of the day in discomfort.  I have my final pre-op consult with my surgeon this Saturday and you can bet that the issue of long term pain medication for my Fibro is on my list of topics to discuss!  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Amy

Well my best friend has always been ibuprofin, and it SCARED me to death knowing that I have to say goodbye to it! He suggested Cymbalta, but so far my insurance wont cover it. I will be talking to him again next week, and I PROMISE that when i actually get something and start taking it, Ill let you know how its working!

I just started using neurontin and so far it's really helping. I've tried lyrica in the past but gained so much weight on it I said no thanks! The problem I've always had with these types of drugs as opposed to straight up pain killers like narcotics is that within a few weeks they quite working as well, so we'll see how this goes. I also take oxycodone but it's for severe spinal arthritis so between the two it seems to work so far. I can actually feel the difference between the arthritis pain and the fibro pain.

 You mean the Lyrica will really add those pounds? I've been saying to everyone that it seems I take 1 Lyrica and gain 3 pounds and EVERYONE thinks I make this up!!!! GRRRRR Just because I'm big doesn't mean I make excuses for being big. I am there because I like eating, lol!!!! But I've been taking the Lyrica still because it helps. I feel very little pain when I do take it. I also take Cymbalta with it and it is the best combo I ever tried.

I am pending Insurance approval. One thing I didn't know is that we won't be able to use Ibuprofen ...... what can we take???


Heike
~Newbie here!!!

I tried Neurontin for a while for Migraine prophylaxis.  It didn't really seem to make a difference and it made me feel "high" which is not really something I enjoy.  I've also tried Topomax - and the term Dope-A-Max really says it all in terms of the major side effect I couldn't live with.  I'm afraid that Lyrica would cause the same problems.  Has anyone had good results with Opana?  That's next on my list of suggestions for my doctor (I swear she calls me Dr. Google ~laugh~)

Thanks,

Amy

You sound like me, my doc always asks what my diagnosis is and then tells me whether I've earned my junior doc badge.

I have tried neurotin, lyrica, fyntinal, mobic, neproxyn, demerol, darvocet and oxycodone. I had minimal pain relief with most of them. Right now I am taking Opana and darvocet and oxycodone for my pain. Opana works wonders so far. The most pain relief I have found in alot of years. It is so hard to find a doc that will work with you, even more so being in the military system. I see alot of civilian docs right now because they are over booked with the guys coming home. Be careful and keep doing your research, staying ahead of the bear works best!
Best wishes
Kimberly