Get help for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

I had to Quit my job in November, 2006 because I was having so much pain, I was Depressed, extremely Fatigued, I still didn't know for sure if I had Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had already seen 4 or 5 Doctor's here in Harrisonburg, Virginia, I traveled a hour north to Winchester, Virginia to see a Rheumatologist, I told the Doctor about all my aches & pains, I told her about all the tender spots which can determine if a person has Fibromyalgia. She was actually very nice and she spent quite a bit of time with me which is more than I can say for most of the other Doctors I had already seen. She never would say for sure if I Had FM or CFS, all she would say is that I might have it and said she thought I was in the early stages of Arthritis. I went back and forth until April, 2007, by then the pain was worse. I then Traveled to Charlottesville Virginia to a Rheumatologist at the University of Virginia Medical Center. I was very confident that I would get a diagnoses for FM and/or CFS, wrong!!! This Doctor was a male Doctor which I try to avoid because I don't think they are as understanding as Female Doctors, to be honest I am also very partial because of several very bad experiences I have had with men in my past. This Doctor in Charlottesville's didn't diagnose me, he didn't run any tests and he did not prescribe any medications, He simple told me that I was depressed over losing my Daughter and to go back to Harrisonburg and start seeing a Counselor.  Damn, that was a huge let down. 

I AM NOT GIVING UP!

In May 2007 is when I traveled to MARIETTA, GA TO THE Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center of Atlanta, by this time I was desperate to find out what was wrong with me.

They took about 15 tubes of blood! I am not kidding, they actually had to switch to my other arm about half way through, I had a consultation that took approximately 1 hour, it was pretty much confirmed on the first visit that I had both FM and CFS along with Depression and Sleeping disorder. The Doctor recommended a lot of vitamins and supplements along with some prescriptions. The Doctor also recommended that I have 2 different IV treatments however I only did one because I already knew it was going to be very expensive and they do not take insurance, they will not handle ANY insurance at all! I believe the biggest reason is because most insurance companies will not cover any of the expenses except for blood work. Insurance definitely will not cover vitamins and supplements. Before I go any further let me just say this: I believe in the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Centers, I am not an affiliate for them. The reason I decided to write about my experience at the Fibromyalgia & Fatigue Center is I want to let people know what they are in for. I honestly think that the Doctors and nurses really do care, they know what they are doing. If you can afford it they are wonderful. Fortunately I was Staying with my Sister about 2 hours away and I was able to go back for the results of my blood work which confirmed even more, bottom line I was pretty bad off. The only negative thing I have to say is that they are very expensive. Between the first and second visit I spent $2000.00 dollars which I had to borrow some from family and take some out of my Retirement IRA. I have noticed recently that there advertisements say they have financing available however they did not have this at the time I went. I am not saying that they do this but I felt a little like they take advantage of the desperate, I think that most people by the time they find out about these centers that they are pretty sick and have been through a lot and just want desperately to be helped.  On the other hand I consider all the money I had already spent and got absolutely no help!  I do feel like they helped me and even though I can't continue to travel that far nor can I afford it, they got me on the right path, I still take the same prescriptions now and I also still take supplements. I did have to find a cheaper alternative to the vitamins and supplements because I can't afford to spend what they sell there's for. Most of the Vitamins and Supplements I take I have listed on my Website and they really do help. Last but not least the one other Thing that the Doctor at this Center prescribed that has helped my Pain so much is Duragesic Pain patches, the generic name is Fentanyl Patches. I am really glad I went and if they truely do offer financing options then I would recommend that if your really sick and you haven't gotten help anywhere else then it is definately worth it.  I guess like everything else in life you have to take the bad with the good and call it a day. Pros & Con's is something we sometimes have to deal with especially when it comes to spending a lot of money for something.  I would definately say I walked out of there a PRO!  Paulette Hill :)

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Created on Dec 31st 1969 18:00. Viewed 0 times.

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