Re: GALS with Fibromyalgia...

[Guest guest]

Dear Ava,

I was seeing a rheumatologist, but they wont do general care usually..

They are specialists and prefer that you have a primary care doctor for your

general needs..

I have to find another rheumatologist since my most recent labs have come

back abnormal.. my ana is again positive with a speckled pattern.. but my

lupus profile remains negative.. My internist still thinks that I have lupus..

My total protein levels are a bit too low.. they are 5.8 and my total

albumin is 3.2... I have to start taking a medication to help me absorb

protein..

Take care

Hugs,

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[Guest guest]

Hi you -

My DH sees a rheumatologist - and I have found that they are among some of the

most caring of all docs - and most protective of their patients and their well

being. At least in my experience - they are the ones that watch labs etc most

closely -and are more in touch with their patients. Also - how much trouble do

you have with your diabetes? If its pretty stable and the fibro is worse - go

for the rheumatologist. Third option - see an Internal Medicine doc - in a

clinic - with partners that are perhaps rheumatologists? Or vice versa... You

don't want to see a GP or a Family practice doc - their experience with what you

have and the status of your bod - is not there. There are great for many other

things - but - the are not cheaper - at least in Nebraska they aren't. You may

find that the rheumatologist or internal medicine man - are the same price as a

GP. Also - call the office - talk to the staff - when you find schedulers that

are kind - and considerate - and seem to enjoy what they do - THAT is where you

wanna be - if you have friends behind the desk - its 1000% easier to get what

you need at a moments notice after you are established. Just thoughts from

behind the desk - if I can do ANYTHING more - or if you wanna email me privately

- go for it hon - also - if you want me to see if we can find you one up there

that is recommended - or that someone knows - let me know I will try.

Hugshugs from deb in Nebraska

GALS with Fibromyalgia...

I'm picking out a doctor--can't really wait much longer... Have any

of you seen a rheumatologist? And would you recommend this type doc

for my general medical care? I'm not sure how to decide between them

and general PCP's/endocrinologist for my diabetes etc. Yipe! I need

some answers and help with this...!

Ava Lee

[Guest guest]

I see a rheumatologist for mine. Mine has been in remission for about 4---4 1/2

years.

PL

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[Guest guest]

Dear Ava,

If you need synthroid for your thyroid, and luvox for your depression, I

really feel that a primary care doc will be of more benefit to you than a

rheumatologist.

Dr Oh did fix what was wrong.. I am just having some problems keeping my

protein levels up.. they are a bit low, so he is putting me on a medication

to help me better absorb the protein that I take daily..

I am also having to go back on potassium as my potassium is a bit low as

well.. I am waiting on a return call from my pcp to see if I need to stop the

B12 for a while because the levels are way high.. and that is not good

either.. I am still a bit swollen from the low protein we think.. so dont

know whether I need to take the diuretic at present or not.. waiting for pcp

to answer that question too..

I have to have repeat labs in early May.. so we will see where my levels

are at that time.. hopefully better than now..

I am gonna rename this kitty.. the kids named him Smokey , cuz he is gray

and white.. but I am gonna call him Mr Curious.. he is into everything he

sees..

Hugs,

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[Guest guest]

Ava

I agree with Deb.. I think an internist is gonna be your best option with

the problems that you are having and the medications that you require.. My

internist takes care of most of my problems.. she is very adept most of the

time..

Hugs,

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[Guest guest]

Yes because the dynamics of the syndrome is different for different

people...there is no real text-book case. My PCP " knew " that it was fibro but

wanted me to see a specialist for the best care. He put me

on......something...I cannot remember. It was an anti-depressant to help me

sleep and got me hand splints that I had to wear 24/7 in the beginning. He also

had me go on a rather strict diet that limited...gawd, my memory is fuzzy

(read..too much vicodin)..some thing that is found in breads...just cannot think

of what it was and increase my veggie and fruit intake. Personally, I think he

just put me on a diet. The combo worked and within 3 weeks I was pain free. He

told then that it could go into remission...that there are some who are lucky.

I was so miserable with it and am happy to be " free " of it. So far I have been

in remission for about 4 1/2 years.

He said that the most important thing one can do with fibro is, 7 to 8 hours of

restful, deep (REM) sleep EVERY NIGHT, eat right and exercise...along with the

prescribed anti-inflamatories and such.

I have been out of the loop for a bit...what have you done so far?

Amytriptaline (bad spelling) is the drug he had me use...it is an

anti-depressant but helps with REM sleep. Also, stress relief. He compared

fibro with lupus.

Where does yours affect you? Mine was in my hands...both of them. My hands

would curl into fists and almost " freeze " there. The splints helped to " remind "

me not to tense my hands up...which aggravated it.

PL...needing a nap

----- Original Message -----

From: avan588649

PL--Thanks, hon. Has the rheumatologist helped more than other

doctors have?

Ava Lee

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[Guest guest]

Ava I don't know how you feel as I still have both my parents but my prayers are

with you

Re: GALS with Fibromyalgia...

>

>

> GINA--Yes, hon, I know that a rheumatologist is a specialist, but

I

> don't need a lot of primary care--and I can't afford both anyway.

We

> can't even afford ONE doc, but have no choice really--I have low

> thyroid and need my synthroid, and my depression from no Luvox

has

> been totally overwhelming, more overwhelming than anyone knows or

is

> concerned with...

> What's this about your labs??? I thought Dr. Oh fixed you up?

What's

> going on? Let me know!

>

> Ava Lee

>

> In GastricBypass-InfoCentral@y..., Gigi1078@a... wrote:

> > Dear Ava,

> > I was seeing a rheumatologist, but they wont do general care

> usually..

> > They are specialists and prefer that you have a primary care

doctor

> for your

> > general needs..

> > I have to find another rheumatologist since my most recent

labs

> have come

> > back abnormal.. my ana is again positive with a speckled

pattern..

> but my

> > lupus profile remains negative.. My internist still thinks that

I

> have lupus..

> > My total protein levels are a bit too low.. they are 5.8 and

my

> total

> > albumin is 3.2... I have to start taking a medication to help

me

> absorb

> > protein..

> > Take care

> >

> >

> > Hugs,

> >

> > open RNY 12/12/00

> > revision 04/18/01

> > revision 02/07/02

> > sw392

> > cw 217

> > -175

> > 5'6

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > l

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Ava, I know we've been a disappointment to you lately. I know I should

be responding to the posts, but by the time I read them usually a day has

past, then as I read further & someone has expressed my thoughts exactly.

Which I feel would be repeating all things said. We all lead these

lives that never stop, we really can't call them our own lives sometimes.

I have to say I am thankful to everyone who does respond, because it

gave me the peace of mind I needed to enter into my surgery. Right now

you sound down on life, sometimes the death of a love one can send us

into a tailspin. I know. It's been two years since my Dad's been gone.

Ava, I'm still grieving! (crying right now) Then with your flare ups,

the uncertainty of the correct medical Dr., the move, kitty care,

nightmares brought on by relatives!, finances, as positive as you usually

are, how is it that you've held up this long. You deserve a break! Sit

back and take that time for you. We'll be okay for a little while. Here

where I'm from we have a water massage place called The Great Water

Escape. Every time I go she talks about how good it is for her fibro

clients. It's a franchise, so there may be one near you. You remain

fully clothed, if you can picture being enclosed in a hot dog bun (lots

of imagination) with a sheet of plastic over you and hot pulsating water

running up and down your back side. You can control the water to the

area where you need more attention. Ava, it's great! For anywhere from

$10 - $25, depending on how many minutes you want to pay for. I know I

can't begin to have the answers to your problems, but do know we all

care. So, please care of yourself. I know you said as a pet owner you

have a responsibility, but as a person & someone who is so special to so

many others, especially you it to yourself to take care of you. By

the way you can tell me to go mind my own business if you want to.

(((((HUGS)))))

Noelie in LA

[Guest guest]

Hi Ava Lee -

Out of lurkdom again. I see my rheumatologist for my fibro and

arthritis. A PCP will generally not want to deal with chronic pain

problems.

But AGAIN - the best, most complete, long lasting relief I've had is

through acupuncture. Maybe there's an internal med doc on your list

who has an acupuncturist on staff or even does acupuncture

themselves. It has severely cut down on my need for any pain meds

(haven't used anything stronger than Tylenol or Aleve for over 3

years. Exception of course my immediate post-op days.)

Love,

P

post-op 05-30-01 lap assisted BPD/DS

Dr. Kim, Ocean Spgs, MS

pre-op 330, current 205 lbs.

pre-op BMI 56, current 34

pre-op size 28/30, current 12/14

hernia repair w/small bowel obstruction repair 10-3-01

initial plastics consult 3-25-02

> I'm picking out a doctor--can't really wait much longer... Have any

> of you seen a rheumatologist? And would you recommend this type doc

> for my general medical care? I'm not sure how to decide between

them

> and general PCP's/endocrinologist for my diabetes etc. Yipe! I need

> some answers and help with this...!

>

> Ava Lee