I think I mentioned back in the post about my last rheumatologist appointment that I received a referral to join Sharp’s pain management program. Skeptical on what it was all about I had my first appointment about a week and a half ago.
It was the ‘evaluation’ appointment, which was about 2 hours long. For the first hour I meet with one therapist and basically chatted. It was I’m sure an interview of sorts, with a brief examination of pressure points and range of motion. In hind site she was the physical therapist. Next was another hour long interview that was more physiological in nature, going over anxieties and depression and family history (hate those types). Afterward they mentioned that the whole ‘team’ gets together on Tuesdays to talk about the evaluation and determine the best course for me and they would get in touch with me shortly afterwards to let me know what they thought. With most things with doctors and such I thought I was in for another lengthly wait but to my surprise I got the call early Tuesday afternoon, they even asked if I wanted to come in that day for the orientation! Well wasn’t feeling that great so the orientation waited till this past Thursday.
Orientation was another two hours with the first being a tour of the facilities and a little discussion about fibromyalgia as well as all the information I needed for the actually therapy sessions. The second hour was a sample of what I could expect next week, only with others with me, during the relaxation and stretching portion. The actual therapy starts tomorrow (Monday) with water therapy (hopefully in a heated pool) for an hour. Then I have an hour to eat a lunch and jet back up to the rehab center. No pressure, thankfully thats where I’ll do relaxation and stretching exercises for about an hour followed by another hour in the fibromyalgia group discussing all sorts of things. First two parts I can handle, not to sure about the ‘group therapy’ thing but we shall see.
Funny thing is the past couple days the pain and soreness has been better, still fatigued quite a bit, overall been feeling better and in a better mood. Hope it continues and maybe the therapy will just help me improve that much better or give me tools to use when it flares back up again . You know, when I get that crazy ass idea to try going up Cowles Mountain again.
Anyway I’ll be sure to update you later on how it went.
Have you tried and kind of Pain Management Therapy? How did it go for you?
If you have Fibromyalgia exercise can be a great distraction and help in your pain management. The small print is to know your limits! Im not talking the limits you may have in the past, you now have new limits you must learn. If you push your self to hard you may not feel it right away but it may cause a flare up of your fibro.
Yes walking can be a great exercise, especially for those with fibromyalgia or other joint pain. I actually got into walking a couple years ago for my anxiety but like most things I tried as soon as I started feeling better I would stop. Each year when anxiety would rear up I would get my butt walking, as I felt better I would find something ‘more important’ to do.
Just a little update, as I mentioned last post I had a follow up 
Now a days when you get diagnosed with something you will get all sorts of advice to avoid drugs and try to cure yourself the natural ways. To not pollute your body with with all those artificial chemicals, who knows what they do to your body. I was that way when my anxiety first started up and again after I thought I was cured and stopped the meds.
Round 2 was to try cymbalta, the only other drug approved by the FDA for fibromyalgia. Again quitting the Savella cold turkey and starting with 30mg of cymbalta in the mornings. After I think a week ramping up to 60mg. After 2 weeks on this stuff my anxiety skyrocketed and was a constant everyday, didn’t feel any improvement on the pain and was more tired than before. Could not hack this stuff but I gave it 6 weeks to see if it would kick in. No dice. Of course two days before my next rheumatologist appointment they called to say my referral had expired and I had to go back to my primary first. You bet I was on the phone getting an appointment the next day and asking for a rush referral. No way I was staying on this stuff any longer. Oh and there is no generic so co-pay was $123, ummm no.
Sorry but yes this is another health post, my health to be exact. Had an interesting occurrence last weekend and if it wasn’t so scary it would be funny. Im actually trying to keep looking at the funny side as it makes me feel a little better about it. One of the meds I was given for fibromyalgia and anxiety was Ambien. This is because the fibro tends to keep you awake at night. Without it I just dont sleep, waking up every hour and staying awake starring at the ceiling. We still have a popcorn ceiling in the bedroom so I can stare and try to fin different shapes like clouds but I digress. Now I’m sure many of you have heard about the memory issues with Ambien, doing things and not remembering them the next day.
Hello again! Still alive, sorry I havent been around. I think every blogger goes through spurts when they are to busy to post or just uninspired, me I just have had a lot of things on my mind lately and sorting through them.