When internist and rheumy disagree...(rx help) - Fibromyalgia Message Board

DunkinNut · 02-15-2008, 07:06 PM

Hi. I'm semi new here. I honestly don't remember if I've posted here - or just read. I guess I stay in a state of "fog". LOL

Here is my predicament. I saw my 3rd rheumy about two weeks ago who confirmed fibro. Two dr.'s said "yes" to fibro....the 3rd said "there is no such thing - you just need a more positive outlook". TERRIBLE physician.

Anywho....the 3rd rheumy is wonderful - love him. Good rapport with him which is half the battle, right? BUT...he did not send me home with a lyrica prescrip - which I didn't understand. I called and asked why and he had his nurse call and say he would discuss it with me at my 2 month recheck (he did prescribe Lexapro for me to start). I told my internist that at an appt I had with her and she said, in so many words, that it was unnecessary for me to wait and wrote a scrip. Ok...that seems nice on the surface - and I WANT to take it - but I'm soooo afraid of messing up my relationship with this rheumy - as you know finding one that is helpful and that you LIKE at the same time is not easy. So I do NOT want to jeopardize that. On the other hand - I HURT HURT HURT. What would you do? I'm wonding if I should just make an appt to see him again sooner - like next week - but I have shelled out so many $40 copays recently it just awful. Can you think of any reason WHY he would want to wait? Maybe just so I wan't starting two meds at once? Also, he said not to talk to him about sleeping meds - talk to the pulmonologist who dx me with apnea. WHAT? TIA DN

shellyj · 02-16-2008, 03:35 AM

I'm not sure why he didn't give you lyrica. My 1st doc gave me lexapro with xanax & it didn't work. Of course he thought I needed to see a phyc too. But, I would make an appointment with him & tell him exactly what you said in your post. He will (should) appreciate the respect. But, don't mix the meds without talking to a doctor. Lyrica for me has been a life saver. I don't even need anti depressant now. Talk to him, if he don't come around...then well you have some dissions to make.

Good luck,
Shelly

Lynnt66 · 02-16-2008, 05:58 AM

Many doctors have a "game" plan they follow - first visit is usually an antidepressent - that takes 2-4 weeks to even be effective - at the next visit they move on - it seems that this doctor has one as well. I do believe that if you move on to the lyrica written by your GP he will be uspset - The fact that the gp just wrote it without talking to the other doc is questionable as this doctor took your word for it without checking with the other. If your GP is willing to now take over your care for Fibro and RX medication then stay with her but as you stated this was your 3rd try in finding a good rhumatologist.
Starting Lyrica and the antipdepressent at the same time is also not good as you will not know which medication is working or not because you started them both at the sametime.
Maybe your GP can give you somthing for for the break through pain until your next appointment.
Once diagnosed it can take a long time to find the meds that work for you - I am 3 years diagnosed and still trying to find what will work for me.

Grapedy · 02-16-2008, 02:01 PM

Starting Lyrica from your GP could very definitely mess things up with your rheumy. He's a specialist and he won't like anyone else horning in on his "turf". Unfortunately most specialists have that attitude, that's part of why finding a good one can be so hard.

Lexapro is NOT a good choice for fibro patients. If he's supposed to be good at treating fibro he oughta know that.

And his refusal to prescribe you anything for sleep doesn't surprise me at all. That's why it's SO important to have a GP and let him/her know EVERY SINGLE THING you're taking. The specialists aren't going to pay attention to meds they haven't prescribed.

shellyj · 02-16-2008, 06:04 PM

Why isn't lyrica a good choice for fibro patients? I'm taking it & it is doing wanders for me. I'm not meaning to come across sarcastic. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can.

Shelly