What speciality is best for Fibro care?

[melantre]

I'm really curious about what type of specialist everyone thinks is best for managing their Fibro.

I've got a rheumatologist and a pain management physician assistant. Recebtly diagnosed in November through their efforts. I have no GP, just the local clinic I've seen for 10+ years. I've had several different PAs at the clinic, as some don't stay long. Last one literally told me that "Most doctors wash their hands of Fibromyalgia ".
This really results in a broken Continuity of Care and I've fallen between the cracks of the healthcare system many times in life. No one to really put all the symptoms together and come to a conclusion.

I was frustrated to find out a Fibro diagnosis pretty much writes doctors a note to pass you on to someone else.
I live rurally in Northern New York State in the US and there aren't a lot of medical resources near me. The doctors I do have are an hr drive away, each way and an appointment takes about 6-8 months to get.

I'm willing to travel TO a good doctor, but I need to know what type of specialty will help me the best and with the most experience in regards to Fibro.

So question is.... in everyone's different experiences and opinions, which type of doctor has been instrumental in helping manage your Fibromyalgia? Who has helped you the most and how were they different?

 

[sunkacola]

@melantre ...I hope that others here will chip in and report to you what specialists they have felt were the most helpful.

At the same time, I want to mention that really what specialty a doctor has is actually a great deal less important than other factors, such as whether or not that doctor believes that fibromyalgia is a real thing, and whether or not they have solid experience working with and treating people with fibro. Also important, of course, is whether that specific doctor clicks with you or not, if they listen to you, if you feel good about working with them, and if they are proactive and helpful in their approach to you.

There are GPs who fit all of the best criteria for patients with fibro, there are NPs who do. And there are rheumatologists and other specialists who are terrible at connecting with people and who will write you off as a head case if you mention fibromyalgia.

When it comes to specialists they vary as much as any other group of doctors. Here's an example: I saw a specialist several years ago for a non-fibro issue, and he was great. Immediately said, "oh yes, we can take care of that" and did a procedure in his office, quick, easy, done. When the problem reoccurred, I couldn't see him as he'd retired, so I saw a different one who turned out to be incredibly rude, refused to treat the problem, and made a great big deal of it saying "IF this can even be treated it will require a hospital stay!". I walked out. Saw yet a different specialist (all in the same specialty field, of course), who said, "Sure, no problem", and took care of it. In the office, quick, easy, done. This was all in the same specialty practice even!

So.....it depends on the individual, not the specialty, a great deal of the time.

My best advice for someone seeking a good doctor is to find out if that individual treats people with fibromyalgia or not, and then read the reviews that you can find online about that person.

 

[JamieMarc]

@melantre
Good advice from @sunkacola
I agree with the way she summed things up.

Like you, would I consider my two primary fibromyalgia doctors are my pain management doctor and my rheumatologist. And as sunkacola emphasizes, both of my specialists do not dismiss fibromyalgia. Super important! And if they did I wouldn't be seeing them anymore.

However, super important for me. I also consider my mental health therapist and prescriber both primary fibromyalgia treatment providers.

Hugs!

 

[Sibergirl]

Hi @melantre , I’m in New York native but the other side of New York, Southampton. But I’ve been living in the southeast for decades. Rural upstate New York is so beautiful. I visited a couple times a kid and just thought it was so pretty. I have to agree with @sunkacola and @JamieMarc

 

[Frizzybee]

I totally agree with the previous replies, but I would add that if you can afford to see a Naturopath, they are usually very knowledgeable about Fibromyalgia and will do tests that Allopathic doctors have never heard of to try to uncover the causes of symptoms. They keep up with research too. For example, my thyroid was "borderline" for 21 years before I finally saw an N.D. who put me on desiccated thyroid immediately, because she had kept up with research and knew that the American College of Endocrinology had changed the normal ranges for thyroid. I was not cured, but had a major improvement because of that. She also did a test called the Adrenal Salivary Index that uncovered that my adrenals were shot, and that must be treated before or with the thyroid, or it can make you worse. I would still be going to her if I could afford it.