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My Answer Is ....Or is it.....MEDICAL PEEPS PLease Help

Posted , 5 users are following.

diagnosisisalie
diagnosisisalie

I went to my GP for the 2nd time since I switched to her. My family has all passed that were so much more medically involved in the medical fields. I had a MRI of the lower lumbar, the tech kept telling me to relax and that the pictures were blurry after 20 plus minutes the torture ended. ANyway um I have FIBRO, spasms constanty for 4 months and you want me to what? RELAX( funny one). SO yesterday my GP said the films/ pics were clear enough and that I have arthritis on/near my spinal chord in where I bend. She didn't specifically say which type but it wasn't rhumetoid . She went on to say that the xray that I had of my foot showed bone spurs ( multiple in the heel and the top of the foot). She commented that I need surgery on my foot as the spurs are near my archillies and they could sevre it. SHe also commented that since I have the arthritis in the base of my spine that my urology issue could be fixed or that it could become more serious. I have to find a pain doctor as the pain is from the arthritis. SHe also said that my thyroid ambuligion was a 1.1 which should be a .9 . After I had my foot took care of then we would do a thyroid scan. Honestly doesn't anyone understand that I have a life that was put on hold for this cr*P. SO the rhumetoid arthritis doctor who has uppered my LYRICA to 200 and thinks he is highering it again says that I have fibro and no arthritis. How do I get off LYRICA? SHould I go after the RA for not testing me? Lyrica has hurt my thinking , my speech, and my vision. Someone with medical please guide me , I want to be over this.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • charlotte1824
    charlotte1824 diagnosisisalie

    Posted

    If u have arthritis then that could be a huge cause of your pain. Back spasms etc are definitely related to spinal issues. Possibly if you have bone spurs in your foot you may have them in other areas hence pain elsewhere. I would get the treatment she is offering and push for the thyroid to be looked at quicker. You may have a thyroid problem also if ur numbers were off and could benefit from treatment.

    You can't go after the ra for giving u lyrica as that is a first line of treatment for pain in general, from arthritis or nerve pain etc however you could complain that he did not test you earlier for arthritis.

    If you can get to pain management and tell them you can't deal with the lyrica then there is various other options available. You could ask for lidocaine patches for your feet until they can operate. They may also work on your back but are not as effective for deep pain. That said some people get relief from fibromyalgia symptoms with them.

    Sounds like your GP is trying to help you and get you sorted out.

    Good luck

    • diagnosisisalie
      diagnosisisalie charlotte1824

      Posted

      Thanks Charlotte! I hope that there is some truth found in this diagnoses . I truy believe that fibro is an umbrella term as everyone has different symptoms and different cures that are individualized per person. If only those who hurt had the energy to proceed with a concrete diagnoses and those who are medical providers had more individual time with their paitents.

      I hope that I am on the path to less pain. I know that I will not miss LYRICA. I think that life will be a little better once I can be out of pain , but I am sure that everyone feels that way.

      Thank you for your input.

       

  • bronwyn97278
    bronwyn97278 diagnosisisalie

    Posted

    Hi diagnosisisalie; my suggestion is for you to find yourself a GOOD Orthopaedic specialist, and get their opinion.......sounds to me like this new GP has "scared" you witless.......yes spurs are painful, and yes, lumbar OA can cause back spasms,(I have OA in lumbar and most areas of back, and treat with NSAID),  but back surgery is also a Big step.....so get that other opinion......There are Orthopods who specialise in Backs alone, and then this specialist may also give you guidelines re the foot spurs.............ask around and search the net for some names around where you live (and go privately for 1st consult,if you don't have private health cover, and then reassess the situation)..............Bron
    • diagnosisisalie
      diagnosisisalie bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Hi Bron,

      I had to take a look again at what I wrote. I am not sure if I am reading it as I meant it or if the words that I typed were different than what I meant. No said anything about back surgery, I don't think, if that is what I wrote that isn't what I meant. I do have to check with the podiatrist about the surgery for the foot. Pain management is suppose to help with all pain. I guess chiropatic and physical therapy will be for my arthritis after my foot issue. I am definitely likong your idea about doing the first appointment out of pocket. I always wonder how the outcome results would change if the insurance was different. Good Luck and Thanks for the input.

    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 diagnosisisalie

      Posted

      Hi diagnosisisalie; no, sorry, guess I Was Just hoping that no-one suggests back surgery, as I don't think I would go there unless Really necessary........as for the OA in back, the mention of NSAIDS was for information on pain in OA, as I Don't think Lyrica (well in my case anyway, and from my experience) will help bone pain.....it is, from what I have been told/read, primarily for Fibro and it's connective tissue/nerve  pain......it didn't help me at all.....so if you feel the same, perhaps a suggestion/request to Rhuemy/GP to slowly decrease Lyrica and start slowly on something else (like the Amitriptylline that some of us have found to work)......balancing out one with the other????  The other med that helps me is Gabapentin, although I know others don't agree, but for me, 400 mgs ( 200 twice daily), seems to compliment the Amitriptylline, in the treatment of  the nerve pain....it really is a trial of different meds/treatments offered/read about that can be your answer.............however; mainly wanting you to know that I am Understanding your delimma (for I remember in the very beginning you felt that your diagnosis of Fibro didn't seem to feel right)....so perhaps concentrating on finding pain relief for you OA will help other issues???   Good luck, and keep us informed.....................wink​Bron
    • diagnosisisalie
      diagnosisisalie bronwyn97278

      Posted

      Thanks Bron, I have nothing nice to say about Lyrica although perhaps it was prescribed for something that I don't have or maybe it just isn't right for my chemistry.I tried Gabapentin first it took 2 pills that mad me go NUTS and in a different world altogether with the pain still there. My insurance doesn't cover Lyrica , I have tried three times to get them to cover it . The doctor has been giving me samples to keep me on it , as it cost over 600 dollars. I take two hundred mg three times a day , I have cut me back down to 150 mg. The doctor's office called me the other day to tell me that the office could no longer supply me the LYRICA , but the doctor says that they will..This is the same doctor who said I didn't have arthritis and that no test were needed. Thank you for your ongoing support! I hope all is well for you!!
    • diagnosisisalie
      diagnosisisalie

      Posted

      I don't think that I would ever let them do back surgery under any condition that cost my mother's life to change until she passed.
    • bronwyn97278
      bronwyn97278 diagnosisisalie

      Posted

      Morning diagnosisisalie...............I Can't believe Lyrica costs soooooo much in ?UK.....it comes under our NHS Pharmacuticals here in Australia  (average being $36 +/-)......my  Neurontin, even when it first became available, and at maximum cost was $120 and rebateable through Private Health Insurance............now only costs me $51.......am so sorry, and yes, is a very good reason to say "No More".....there has to be something that works, and is affordable???............Bron
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