Ask The Doctor

Dear Ask The Doctor: I HAVE HAD MUSCLE ACHES AND PAINS FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS.NOW THEY HAVE BECOME PRETTY BAD. MY DOCTOR MENTIONED LYRICA AS APOSSIBLE TREATMENT, BUT PUT ME ON MOBIC 7.5 FOR NOW. HOW SOON SHOULD I SEE RESULTS AND SOME RELIEF FROM THE PAIN? I AM A SINGLE MON, WITH A VERY ACTIVE TEENAGER INVOLVED IN ALOT OF EXTRACURRICULAT SCHOOL ACTIVITIES. I AM ALWAYS ON THE GO AND THIS SEEMS TO BE SLOWING ME DOWN SOMEWHAT. I AM 45 YEARS OLD.

Dear DEBRA: I am relieved that you have received a diagnosis - patients often suffer for years before a diagnosis is confirmed.  As you may be aware, fibromyalgia is a chronic disease (you will have good days, you will have bad days) that will change as you age.  Once you have received the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, the focus should shift from cure of symtoms to management of symtoms.

The first step, if you have not already done so is to establish a partnership of mutual trust with your health care provider(s).  If you do not trust your doctor, seek a new one that you do trust as this person will monitor your condition over time and make changes in management.

It appears you have been started on medications. That's great.  the truth is fibromyalgia is a poorly understood disease and we are learning more and more every year.  Medication recommendations are based on previous stories of success with similar conditions.  Some work, Some don't.  What works for others may not work for you.

This initial phase of trail and error can be frustrating but I encourage you to participate until a suitable treatment is found.  As a general rule with my patients, I advise waiting one month of continuous use of a medication before deciding if it is beneficial or not.

I hope this helps