Fibromyalgia Support Group

OK, so here's the scoop on my fancy shmancy new Beverly Hills doctor! I LOVE HIM!

I walked in and the first thing he said was, "Sit down. We've got all the time in the world." It ended up being a two hour appointment! I know, huh? Who ever heard of a two hour doctor appointment!

This man knows more about fibro than I would ever care to know or could possibly understand.

I'll try to give you all the highlights without boring you to death.

He said that he thinks I can get back to my former glory. He said it would take some time and a lot of dedication. What else do I have to do, right?!

He totally gets that I can't exercise and he's going to give me some easy, gentle stretches to start with. He said unless your physical therapist knows and understand fibro they're going to do a lot more harm than good.

He suspects that there's something going on with my immune system, my metabolism and my oxygen. The oxygen part and metabolism part I've suspected for a long time.

He's going to get all of my records from Kaiser and actually read them to try and connect the dots!!! I BEGGED them at Kaiser to go through my whole record because I was certain the answer was there somewhere. They wouldn't do it!

He said that the supplements I'm taking are all correct for fibro (thank you Bo and Clint!)

He wants me to try Lyrica. He said I'll know in 6 days if it's helping and if it's not, then I can stop it. He said that it does help so many of his patients. I told him I was mostly worried about the weight gain. He said he's more worried about getting me as functioning as possible, as soon as possible.

He told me he doesn't want me to worry about losing weight right now, but he does want me to start eating better.

He said he doesn't think I have any of the underlying conditions that frequently go along with fibro, he's pretty sure that I just have fibro.

He also told me to file for disability, that I should have already done it. It was nearly impossible with Kaiser! I'll be calling Allsup tomorrow

He was completely funny, warm, caring, competent- everything you dream of having in a doctor!!!

I'm on cloud 9! Even though I got stupid 50 dollar Beverly Hills vehicle code ticket! Which I'm going to fight, btw.

So, I guess that's it in a nutshell. I wish I had taken a tape recorder because I got so much information.

I asked him about the cognitive problems and he said as I begin to get better it should improve!

Lastly, I'm exhausted! I woke up at 4am this morning!

This is how much he understands fibro: He asked me if there are days that if the house was on fire I'd have trouble getting out! I had never thought about it in those terms before, but he was absolutely right! There are many days like that.

Oh, and I'm going to stay on the other meds I'm on, too.

I wish like anything that everyone of you could go see this guy. He was absolutely amazing and impressive!!!

Hugs,

Tina

Oops! I almost forgot. He recommended a book called "On Death and Dying." He totally understands that we've been robbed and thinks this book helps fibro patients to deal with the grief over what we have lost. He recommends it to his diabetic patients, as well.

He said it's very helpful for spouse's and family members, too, because they've also suffered loss- we're not the same people they have always known and loved.

I'm telling you, the man is brilliant!

I'm so happy for you!!! YAY!! Tina's went big time now, she's got her a Beverly Hills Dr!! Sounds like a great dr, I'm sure you'll keep us in the loop of the results of his therapy. A 2 hour appointment!! Wow never had one of those!!

Love and Hugs

Lori

TINA, I am so glad that you really like this md. I hope that he is able to help you as quickly as he is thinking he can. Did he do any bloodwork or what kind of exam did he do? Does he treat a lot of fibro pts? It sounds like he must really be a busy md to be so personable, the kind you bring stuff to do and don't mind waiting on.

Thanks, guys! I really am excited.

He's so wonderful. He didn't do any blood work because he wants to keep my costs down as much as possible. So he's not going to do any tests until he gets everything from Kaiser.

He mentioned several fibro patients, because he was talking about their different factors. He said one of the things that makes him hopeful for me is that I've only had it for about 5 years. He said he has people come in that have had it for 20 years or more and that makes a difference.

Tina I am so happy for you...next time you go to him get a hair so we can clone him!

Honey this is just the ray of hope that we all need to grasp onto. Digging is totally worth it! HUGGLES

I'm so happy for you, Tina!!! We all need doctors like that one! Maybe we should all move in with you!

As long as you guys don't mind the mess, the no cooking rule and the cat, c'mon down! Wouldn't that be fun?!

Maybe it's time to resurrect the fantasy fibro convention thread

BTW, Kristy, if you bring Armand, you get first dibs on where you want to sit! Oh, wait! You'll be sitting on his lap, won't you