Who here has been to the U of M clinic? Its supposed to be an excellent teaching hospital. I am not real convinced though. My mom went there about 10 years ago and got labeled a drug seeker.
I do not fit perfectly into any one dx, at my last rheumy appt about a month ago, she told me most of my pain and symptoms (including hair loss) was from depression.
I am currently seeing a supposed pain specialist and not getting real far with her either. She has me on Oxycontin regularly but still hasn't even come up with a real dx for me yet.
She and my internist along with a friend of mine you just started practicing general care have suggested I go to the U of M as it is only a little over an hour away.
I KNOW I am depressed however, i always feel there is something really wrong with me. I almost feel bi-polar at times. I always hurt, some days much worse than others but the pain has been constant for over 2 years now. I have suicidal thoughts several times a week and than other times, I just sort of go la-la-la-la and pretend nothing is wrong with me.
Most of my tests come back normal and I am afraid that if the U of M comes back and says there isn't anything wrong, than what?
Michele I would go to seek help. You have major swellings and muscle contractions that you can show them. There is something quite wrong.
Depression can cause pain? Then I guess that's why I hurt like hell. Seriously, I didn't know that. Please don't give up Michele. Someone has got to have some answers for you. Have you tried an anti depressant for the depression? If you find the right one it can really help with the ups and downs. I know you've posted about it before, I just can't remember.
Hang in there Michele, we're here for you.
Hi Michelle,
I go the both the rheumatological clinic and neuromuscular clinic and would encourage you to give them a try. I have almost no diagnostic abnormalities but they are treating me based on my symptoms and have been able to help me a great deal. I started in the neurology clinic and when my local rheum would not diagnose me, the neurologist at U of M referred me to a rheum there who diagnosed me on the first visit. They consult with each other which is so helpful - everyone is on the same page that way. My diagnosis is still somewhat tenative but now that I have it they can treat me. My daughter also went to U of M rheumatology clinic for consultations only, and then her local rheum followed the U of M treatment plan. Give it a try, you are lucky to be so close, you may as well go for it.
Laker
Give it a try Michele, it can't hurt to go. Maybe someone there can come up with something. Is there any possible way you can switch rheumy's? It just seems like from reading posts of others here that when the docs can't figure out what is going on, they just go ahead and blame it on mental health stuff. Give me a break. You have the a lot of the same symptoms as I do and other people here have also. So does that mean we all have mental health issues instead of ra or something else? I think not.
Really push these docs at U of M for answers. Some doc out there has to know what is going on. I am hoping these docs will look at the big picture and get this all figured out. And also straighten out some of those meds that are causing you those really icky side effects and also interact with each other.
Michele - I cannot even express how upsetting and sad I am feeling right now for you. Your story is just a duplicate of mine, and many others in here. What is WRONG with the medical profession? Have they lost their souls? Their humanity? Seven years ago something suddenly went very wrong with my body and it took me six years to convince one doctor to finally take a serious look at me, and guess what, there was something seriously wrong with me.
Don't give up, you know your body, just keep fighting, and my heart is with you tonight. I wish I could do something, like transport one medical doctor into our bodies for one hour and then see what they have to say. Cathy
U of M is doing a lot of groundbreaking research in both RA and Fibromyalgia. I am orginally from the Ann Arbor area. Give them a chance and see what they have to say.
Most of my tests come back normal and I am afraid that if the U of M comes back and says there isn't anything wrong, than what?
Unfortunately, if they aren't able to find out what's wrong...it doesn't mean there isn't anything wrong...it just means no one has found out what it is yet and you need to find it in yourself to push forward once again. There's got to be a doctor out there somewhere that can figure out what's going on.
Keep in touch and keep us updated....Good luck to you sweetie.
Peace & Love....Neasy
The first thing the neurologist at U Of M asked me was why I had stopped taking the gabapentin that a local neuro had prescribed. I said "Because it doesn't work". He smiled and said "no it won't, but there is something that will" and put me on pamelor. You sound so much like me, please persist with getting an appt there. You will probably have a long wait for the first appt. They have not given up on me when I was sure they would because I have very few abnormal tests. The last time I went the rheum did mention she might like me to go to mayo to see what they think, but did not seem to mean that she intended to give up on me.
Keep trying for that appt.
Laker