The reason I posted here is that I visited 17 doctors in my quest to
find out what was wrong with me several years ago (though the symptoms
were about 6 years in the making.) Including one moron who told me that
there was nothing wrong with me but my attitude and that each morning I
should look in the mirror and chant "I am a healthy, healthy person."
To make a long story short it was an autoimmune thyroid disease and as
a result of the wonderful thyroid support ng I not only became
empowered but found my amazing endo-the best doctor in the world, he's
81 and I say a prayer for him each day. Anyway, I've found patients to
be far more empathetic and able to explain or figure out symptoms than
doctors. I have the feeling that I'm in for another long nightmare of
symptoms, being dismissed by doctors and getting sicker and sicker
until I finally find someone good. Hence, my appearances here. I am on
an NSAID and had lost 38 pounds and maintained it easily for 7 months
until going on the medication. I eat a low cal, low fat diet, walk one
half to one hour per day-depending upon how I feel that particular day-
and do low impact aerobics three times a week. I physically can't do
anymore than that and I can't eat any less or any more healthy than I
am already doing. I don't smoke or drink and I cut out caffeine about
10 years ago. I would like to lose more weight and have continued what
I was doing before and each time I go off the medications I lose the
same three pounds then put them back on as soon as I start again. Any
extra weight doesn't do my knees any good. Unfortunately as my health
insurance costs $500. per month (was turned down for regular and am now
on a state high risk program) plus a $25. copay each time and 20% of
the cost of the visit, lab and x-ray I can't afford to do much doctor
shopping, the initial visits are hideously expensive...

Well, this is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. That an
NSAID is not a treatement for fm (although to be fair to the doctor I
have a very mild case based on what I've read of others often
debilitating symptoms.)It makes sense of course since it doesn't do
much to help me but according to the rheumatologist that's all that I
can do. Yes, she poked and prodded and did every blood test under the
sun (including one or two brand new ones)and x-rayed my joints but the
x-rays were done last summer before my joints swelled up and from what
I've researched the blood tests can often be normal (although my ANA is
off the charts which may or may not be as a result of my thyroid)This
doctor is considered one of the best around which is why I felt so
depressed. I know from hard experience that if a doctor isn't willing
to listen and work with me (s)he is worthless but I had hoped based on
her reputation that she'd be better. I live in Los Angeles and I have a
PPO so I can go to any doctor that I choose.