I finally went to a physiatrist yesterday - Fibromyalgia Message Board

kathy4399 · 06-14-2008, 07:47 AM

I was given good news and bad news. The good news was that he said he can help me.
The bad news: In addition to fibromyalgia, I also have myofascial pain syndrome and bursitis. So he gave me 4 trigger point injections in my upper back and one in my right thigh. I knew things were getting bad but honestly I thought it was just a bad flare that I couldn't pull out of.
I have to do a lot of therapy, get a TENS unit and get the injections every 4 weeks. I have to slowly wean off the narcotics and other meds (he gave me other meds to help the transition). Some of my meds will be reduced doses, some I go off completely and I got a couple of new ones.
It is kind of overwhelming but I do kind of feel a little better about it today. I just need to (re)learn to have the right attitude and it'll be okay. It's so easy to fall into the "why me" thinking.
All in all, I really liked what he said and wants to do. I feel like this is the treatment I was looking for. I could have done without the MFS and bursitis but I can learn to accept that in time. It's just going to be a rough ride for a while.
Wish me luck!
Thanks for listening,
Kathy

gorgee · 06-16-2008, 08:50 AM

It is nice to be able to talk it out, isn't it? I have fibro, and myofascial pain syndrome too. It makes me nervous about the med transition, but are you comfortable with the new medications? I am curious about the tens unit, and how to buy one, but also about your medication switches and how you are feeling? I hope you are feeling better, and did you feel the trigger point injections worked?

Thank you for your time,

Kass

janewhite1 · 06-16-2008, 09:56 AM

Ah, good news! Some of your pain is due to myofascial pain syndrome, which is not dangerous and is actually easier to treat than fibro.

The best I can tell you is to learn to do trigger point work on yourself, there are books that teach it, or ask the physiatrist.

kathy4399 · 06-20-2008, 06:55 AM

He put me on 12mcg Fentanyl patch. It is the lowest dose available and lunesta. I haven't sleep so good since I don't know when. My lyrica was lowered by 75mg. The trigger point injections worked wonderfully but Not 100%. Maybe he did a low dose since I was a first timer. I was taken off soma (slowly) and put on skelaxin. The physical therapy is wonderful, I start water therapy next week 2x a week and the TENS unit is awesome!. It is weird feeling, a little painful at first, even starting very low but I have increased it now and I like it. I don't have my own yet, I only get it a PT. The best part is that I am not doped anymore. No more drugged out feeling. My head is as clear as it can get with FM. I am still in a lot of pain and I can't walk much or my hip hurts really bad. I was also told to do a "posture-check" every so often to straighten my self out as I tend to slouch and shrug my shoulders when I hurt. I use the ringing phone at work-when the phone rings, posture check! I also can't cross my legs as it puts pressure on my hip. That is hard! One last thing, I have a purse/hadbag fetish but I was told no more big heavy bags. So I found a "wallet-on-a-strap''. Tiny with a very long stap to go across my shoulder but it is adorable!. I think it only adds to my obsession...

oh yeah, the patch really starts to wear off before the third day that I have to change it, That day is really rough.
So I am still having a lot of pain but I think this approach is really going to be beneficial.