Opining Online

My first diagnosis of fibromyalgia was in 1992. Antidepressants helped, I sort of “got over it” and went on with life. I still had those “trigger points” in the shoulders, knees, shins, ankles, etc., but as long as nobody pinched or pressed there I was fine.  Then, in 2000, my PCM of the day, said (when I winced at her pushing on my lower shins and said that one doctor had said that was from fibromyalgia) that she didn’t “believe” in fibromyalgia. End of discussion. I’ve tried not “believing” I felt pain, but dammit, the pain was still there, as was the overwhelming fatigue. Since I was first diagnosed with it in 1992, the only thing I’ve found that really relieves the pain is a combination of Strattera and Lexapro.

I’ve not mentioned “fibromyalgia” to any other doctor since the one who didn’t “believe” in it because I don’t want to be classified as a nut case or drug seeker. Also, I do not believe that fibromyalgia is the cause of all my pain. I think I also have a pinched nerve or something that causes sudden, extreme, but thankfully short-lasting pain in my legs.

My main problem - as mentioned in “I am my own PCM” is the lack of opportunity to discuss multiple aches, pains, symptoms, etc., with my doctor in one single visit. Appointments are generally limited to “what, specifically, is bothering you today?” That really doesn’t lend itself well to “well… several things and could they possibly be related?”

I do have a verified diagnosis of arthritis and I wonder which pain is caused by that. I classify my wrist, shoulder, knee, and ankle pain to it… but shin pain? I dunno… and apparently neither do most doctors. Why does the shoulder and knee pain differ when somebody squeezes either body part (a typical occurrence at Southern family reunions) from the more ordinary “oh god, I’ve overused this joint today” pain?

Bottom Line: I don’t know what the hell’s wrong with me, but articles like “Drug Approved. Is Disease Real?” don’t help answer the question. Note that the addition of Straterra to my normal drug regimin has almost eliminated the need for Tylenol and Naproxen. The only drawback is the tendency of Straterra to cause dizziness. Unlike most folks, I have a benign brain tumor that (though dead through radiation) may cause dizziness.

hmmm…. what side effects of what up with do I put?