Getting the Right Doctors on Your Side
People who have FM and CFS/ME face more than just severe muscle pain, unrelenting fatigue, and overwhelming anxiety. Because there currently are no diagnostic tests for either of these medical conditions, many patients also struggle with misdiagnoses, unsympathetic physicians, and ineffective treatments.
With up to 4 percent of the population now said to be suffering from FM and/or CFS/ME, researchers are working hard to get a better understanding of these medical conditions, and what they can do to treat them.
If you have FM and/or CFS/ME, you don't have to suffer in silence. Here are a few essential steps you can take to get control of your situation, to find the medical help you need, and to get some relief for your symptoms.
Start With Your Primary Care PhysicianLess than a decade ago, many physicians didn't recognize FM or CFS/ME as real medical conditions. However, the tide appears to be changing.
"In the United States recent surveys suggest that the majority of physicians now believe fibromyalgia is a real medical condition and are comfortable making the diagnosis," says Daniel J. Clauw M.D., director of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Research Center and director of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research at the University of Michigan.
Why seek treatment for FM and CFS/ME from primary care physicians? Many of these doctors are well versed in treating a variety of conditions, including ones whose symptoms overlap those of FM and CFS/ME, such as irritable bowel syndrome, restless leg, and interstitial cystitis.
They can start the elimination process to figure out exactly what you do, or do not have. If necessary, they also can refer you to a specialist. Twenty six percent of the people we've surveyed seek treatment from their primary care physicians.
Don't Be Afraid to Reassess"If your doctor isn't taking your complaints seriously and trying to help you, then you may need to see a different doctor or get a referral to a specialist [like a rheumatologist or neurologist] to make the diagnosis," says Clauw.
All doctors are different, so it's important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable sharing your feelings and concerns about your condition. We can help you locate a doctor in your area. Visit our Doctor Database to find a knowledgeable FM and/or CFS/ME doctor near you.
Remember to be honest with your doctor. Tell them your symptoms, and any treatment regimens, including vitamins, minerals, supplements, along with any over-the-counter medications you're currently taking.
Be sure to consider the following when selecting a doctor:
- Is the doctor board certified?
- Does the doctor accept your insurance or medicare?
- And most important, do you feel at ease with this physician?
- Is the doctor involved in any teaching, writing, or research? (If so, he or she may be more up to date on the latest research.)
Don't Lose HopeScientists are hard at work developing diagnostic tests for FM and CFS/ME and, according to Clauw, soon there may be specific tests that will help physicians determine which treatments will work best for a particular patient. In the meantime, your doctor can prescribe a multifaceted treatment program for you, including medication, exercise, stress reduction, and sleep strategies.
"The pain and Fibromyalgia fields are evolving very rapidly, and each month we know something new that helps us take better care of Fibromyalgia patients, it's important to know that there is hope," says Clauw.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE... 
Subject: Getting the Right Doctors on Your Side 
Sun Jul 12, 2009 1:19 pm