Re: Fibromyalgia Center in Philly

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan :-)

When I called the hospital to make an appointment I was told they do not

have doctors there who handle FMS patients!! Why in there world would they

say on the website that they have an FMS center and then tell me that!

I'm not giving up though, I must have made over 30 phone calls and finally

found a rheumatology center at Chester/Crozer hospital that has doctors who

treat FMS patients. Chester, PA is only about 15 minutes away from me so

that is a good thing. My appointment isn't until September 1, so my doctor

prescribed Darvocet and Neurontin to give me some relief until I see the new

rheumatologist. Of course when I went to pick up my prescriptions today the

pharmacist told me that Keystone Mercy Health Insurance only authorized the

Neurontin for 5 days. My doctor has to call them and explain why I need it.

I can already tell they're going to reject the Neurontin. In the letter I

received when they rejected the Ultram, (of which I sent in an appeal), they

stated that there are other alternatives to Ultram and listed the NSAIDS,

Darvocet, and other narcotics. They seem H***bent on forcing the narcotics

on me! Although the Ultram doesn't take the pain away completely, it does

bring the level down to about a 4 on my good days. I've been trying to

avoid the narcotic pain relievers and even my doctor agrees with me that

taking them for a long term isn't good. I'm frustrated as heck at this

point.

Hopefully though I'll get some help finally after 18 years at

Chester/Crozer.

Gentle Hugs,

Anne in PA

" Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be

accomplished without hope and confidence. " (Helen Keller)

Jan wrote:

Glad you found a FMS center in your area - they are most helpful and know

what they are doing!

[Guest guest]

Anne,

I did see that in a previous post... That is ridiculous! Then why advertise as

an FMS Center. How frustrasting....

They are pushing the narcotics because they are dirt cheap to make and cost the

insurance companies no money to cover - In fact I think they may make money!

More complicated drugs like neurontin, ultram, etc. cost more to make and are

hence charged more when sold. This is why they are doing this to you. It gets

me so frustrated because I know how they work. And you are further

discriminated against by being on the state welfare system.

I am so sorry about these frustrations, and like I said in my previous email -

you are welcome to email me anytime - from one FMS patient to another....

Jan :-) or Janis

Anne L Suplee wrote:

My appointment isn't until September 1, so my doctor

prescribed Darvocet and Neurontin to give me some relief until I see the new

rheumatologist.

[Guest guest]

>> When I called the hospital to make an appointment I was

told they do not have doctors there who handle FMS patients!! Why in

there world would they say on the website that they have an FMS

center and then tell me that! <<

Hi Anne,

This sounds like the experience I've had with the Spine Program at

Vancouver General Hospital. I looked it up on the web before I went,

and read how it's a multidisciplinary team of pain specialists,

neurosurgeons, physiotherapists, & psychologists, who all meet you

individually then get together with you and decide what to do about

your back.

After a couple of visits to VGH, in which I saw only one guy, I asked

the receptionist when I was going to be meeting the other members of

the multidisciplinary team. She looked at me like I had just started

singing in Klingon. Turns out that there IS no multidisciplinary team

and there hasn't been for years. There's just the one guy.

So how can one guy, who never appears to remember who you are at

appointments, constitute a Spine Program? Beats me. The only thing

benefit I got from the " Program " is that I got tests and procedures

very quickly when he ordered them (as opposed to waiting many months

in our glacial healthcare system).

But guess what? - that one doctor I was seeing has now quit! And I

bet they STILL haven't updated their website!

Di

in Vancouver, B.C., Canada

[Guest guest]

In chronic_pain , " Anne L Suplee " <Anne1701@r...>

wrote: >> When I called the hospital to make an appointment I was

told they do not have doctors there who handle FMS patients!! Why in

there world would they say on the website that they have an FMS

center and then tell me that! <<

Hi Anne,

I just checked out the web site to see how up-dated it was as I used to go

to the pain center there and I wanted to see if my Dr. was still listed.

They had a major overhaul back in Jan. and all the Dr.s in the pain center

and most of the staff left and went to Graduate Hospital. Anyway...they

have all the new Dr.s at the pain center listed so they must have up-dated

the web site since then.

When I went to the FMS area I noticed they had one Dr. listed...did you try

and just call him to make an appt.?

Also...I just checked www.graduatehospital.com and their pain center says

they treat FMS so you might check that out.

Just a few suggestions...

Ann in Pa.