Your Doctor Visit Educate yourself about your illness, Arm yourself with knowledge

Fibromyalgia and Chronic Myofascial Pain Syndrome Information. A series of articles for various Health Care Practitioners written by Dr. Devin Starlanyl. If your Health Care Practitioners are not up-to-date on FMS/MPS, you can print these out to give to them. Dealing With Doctors When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  By Camilla Cracchiolo, RN. This is an outstanding article, also applies to FMS. Making Health Care Decisions: Suggested Questions to Ask Your Doctor Co-Cure's Let's Work Together Page Articles on Improving relationships between patients and their doctors. Dr. Management Techniques

Finding a doctor knowledgeable about Fibromyalgia

1. Your best bet is to ask your local Fibromyalgia Support Group Leader for a doctor referral - that's how I found mine. She can tell you which doctors FMS patients in your area have been satisfied with. Click here for help finding fibromyalgia support groups. 2. Call or write the Fibromyalgia Network PO Box 31750 Tucson AZ 85751-1750 1-800-853-2929 (520) 290-5508. They keep lists of MD referrals and all support groups across the country. They will mail you a list for your state. 3. Send E-Mail to: marliana22@aol.com for the FMS "Good Doctor" list. 4. Co-Cure's The CFS/FM Good Doctor List At Co-Cure's Site you will find instructions on how to obtain the list. The CFS/FM Good Doctor List is a listing of doctors recommeded by CFS/FM patients for CFS/CFIDS/FM patients. 5. FMS Doctor Database The support of the FMS community is needed to help build this database! Names of quality doctors & other practitioners are needed. If you have found a good FMS practitioner, please help others by submitting your referral to Mark at: serenity@jcn1.com & help build the database as a service to FMS sufferers throughout the country! The database can only be successful through the cooperation people who desire to help ease the suffering we have all faced. 6. Send EMail to: Masaathoff@aol.com. Include your full name, address & phone number in your email. For referrals to doctors, other health care professionals, and support groups for FMS. They will snail-mail you the information along with FMS info. 7. Recommended Fibromyalgia-Oriented Scholar-Clinicians Richard Van Why, R.N.'s The Fibromyalgia Symposium website FMS/CFS doctors' webpages: 8. Canton,Ohio physician/fibromyalgia researcher/fibromyalgia survivor Mark J. Pellegrino, M.D. OHIO REHAB CENTER INC. 9. Dr. R. Paul St. Amand guaifenesin therapy Marina del Rey, CA 10. Jenkintown, PA. Board Certified Physiatrist Charles B. Alpert, MD, Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Director of Abington Pain Medicine-a complementary healing center near Philadelphia, PA. E-mail DrPainn@aol.com 11. Blue Ash, Ohio physician Hal Blatman, M.D.; Specializing in the Treatment of People With Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and other pain disorders. 12. David A. Nye MD, neurologist, Midelfort Clinic, Eau Claire, Wisconsin email: nyeda@uwec.edu 13. Meridia Center For Rehabilitation & Pain Management (Ohio) 14. Stuart Silverman, MD, director Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Pain Management Clinic, Beverly Hills, CA. (see #3. Outpatient Rehabilitation Center) 15. Portland Oregon fibromyalgia researcher, Dr. Rob Bennett, Professor of Medicine and Chairman of the Division of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases at Oregon Health Sciences University. 16. Report describing CFS/FMS treatment with Dr. Jay Goldstein at the Orange, California CFS Institute. 17. International listing of Bodyworkers/Massage Therapists 18. Houston, TX - Center for Pain Relief - Michael S. Gorback, M.D. 19. McLean, Virginia - Dr. William Hurwitz 20. The New Jersey CFS Association maintains a referral list of physicians and lawyers familiar with CFS issues in the greater New Jersey region.

A note about practitioners: The type of dr. who usually takes care of FMS is a rheumatologist. Please use the resources above to help find an FMS-friendly dr. Just because a dr. is a rhematologist does not automatically mean he or she knows how to treat FMS or even believes it exists. Physiatrists (doctors of physical medicine) also treat FM, but the same is true for them. For more info on physiatrists see: Why Choose a Physiatrist? Due to the latest research that shows Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement in FMS, it would be nice if neurologists learned how to treat FMS. Some FMS patients are treated by neurologists, but it seems that pitifully few are FMS aware. Some FMS patients have found that their family practitioner is sympathetic or knowledgeable about FMS, although most don't have time to treat a chronic condition, or keep up with the latest research. Some FMS patients have had good results with anesthesiologists in treating their chronic/intractable pain. Some doctors prescribe physical therapy (P.T.) as part of the treatment for FMS. When looking for a physical therapist, you should call around your area and ask for a physical therapist who does manual (hands-on) P.T. Aquatherapy is another P.T. that your dr. may write a prescription for. It is a great way to exercise without pounding the joints & stressing the muscles - you weigh 75% less in the water - it is easier to stretch & you can stretch farther than you can on land without hurting yourself. Stretching is essential to your treatment. A lot of FMS patients turn to alternatives for relief, a lot combine the best of both worlds - alternative and conventional medicine: Some FMS patients have been helped with acupuncture, massage therapy, traditional osteopathy, chiropractic, cranial-sacral therapy, naturopathy, homeopathy, environmental medicine, and hypnotherapy (relaxation therapy). If you also have Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), (it is estimated that 70% of people afflicted with FMS also have MPS), trigger point massage therapy or spray & stretch therapy is an essential part of your treatment! What you want to know about pain management How to check out your doctor Available on AOL: Examining Your Doctor

Finding a Doctor who may be sympathetic to Chronic/Intractable Pain: American Society for Action on Pain finding a dr. to treat chronic pain. A.S.A.P.'s helpful pain links. The Woodchuck's "I Need Help!" web page G.Turenne Pain Patient Advocacy PAIN LAW SELECT Pain Law Select is provided as a public service for individuals who wish to locate a health care provider. Send EMail to: painlaw@wizard.net ask for Pain Doctor List, (write painlaw in the header of your EMail) or call: (703) 256-PAIN FAX (703) 354-2770. Make sure you are using an updated Pain Law Select List as Clinics and alternative sites like Painn*t etc are using the cut up list to bait and switch patients. Please for legal reasons don't cut up list leave it in the form it is sent. Also many people are just sending doctors names off old list who have been removed for a cause. Lets keep this list up to date and error free. If you see a bad doctor Let me know. If you have one to add I need that too. COMMERCIAL USE OF THIS DATABASE, FOR ANY PURPOSE, IS NOT ALLOWED AS SPECIFIED IN THE PAINLAW COPYRIGHT PROVISIONS PROVIDED BELOW. Copyright 1996-1997, Pain Law Association. All Rights Reserved. If you are in need a further assistance you may reach our volunteers at the following phone number: 703 256-PAIN FAX 703 354-2770 or you can email us at painlaw@wizard.net or snail mail: PAIN LAW 7138 Little River Turnpike, Suite 1100 Annandale,VA 22003 Pain Law is run by volunteers who all suffer from chronic pain. Our organization is not affiliated with any pain clinics, Pain Therapy Programs etc. and receives no compensation for referrals. Pain Law has no employees, pays no inflated salaries to administrators or hawks any subscriptions, memberships or reprints like many so-called non-profit and for profit organizations in the pain support field. We operate solely on gifts and donations from others who have found this information valuable. If you would like to send a donation please make checks payable to: Prometheus 7138 Little River Turnpike, Suite 1100 Annandale,VA 22003 The most cost-effective and least invasive pain modulation is through the use of oral narcotics. Sadly, by the time most pain sufferers find our referrals they have been through several rounds of exhaustive and prohibitively expensive treatments and tests. Caregivers hoping to prosper from their desperation will find most patients stretching office visits and medication even if reimbursed so that they may pay for basic necessities such as rent and food. If you have found this information helpful and would like to send a donation or you are interested in volunteering or participating in our "Phone Pain Chain" (Pain Law matches you up with other pain sufferers in your area who are interested in mentoring each other via phone or email), you may contact Pain Law at the addresses listed above. Thank you in advance for contributing your time and gifts so that others may find the courage to endure the unendurable.

Organizations: American Academy of Pain Management (this is the organization that credentials Doctors as being Board certified in pain management) E-mail- aapm@aapainmanage.org Phone (209) 533-9744 The National Chronic Pain Outreach Association , Inc. 7979 Old Georgetown Road, Suite 100 Bethesda, MD 20814-2429 E-mail- NCPOA1@AOL.COM Phone: (301) 652-4948. NCPOA is a clearinghouse for information on chronic pain American Chronic Pain Association PO Box 850 Rocklin, CA 95677 Phone: (916) 632-0922 Fax: (916) 632-3208 The American Pain Society 5700 Old Orchard Rd., 1st Floor       Skokie, IL 60077-1024       E-mail-  info@ampainsoc.org (708) 966-5595       OTHER:       American Association of Environmental Medicine       Resource and Physician lists       (913) 642-6062       American Preventative Medical Association       Free list of their members in your state.       1-800-230-APMA.       American Assoc. of Naturopathic Physicians       2366 Eastlake Ave. Suite 322       Seattle, Wash. 98102       206-323-7610       Office of Alternative Medicine       National Institutes of  Health  (NIH)       9000 Rockville Pike, bldg. 31 room SB-38       Bethesda, Md.  20892       800-531-1794       American Holistic Medical Association 4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 201 Raleigh, NC  27607 Telephone (919)-787-5181 FAX (919) 787-4916

Websites: The Best Doctors In America Many libraries also carry The Best Doctors In America, a doctor directory which gives peer-review information about specific doctors, in their reference section. If it is not available, you can ask reference librarian to order it. (Books are published every even year: 1992, 1994, 1996.) American Medical Association Physician Select Doctor Directory Web Health News Doctor Directory

Types of Practitioners: Acupuncturist: A practitioner trained in the use of acupuncture, a procedure in which fine needles are inserted into certain areas of the body. Based on an Eastern (Chinese) philosophy, acupuncture is largely used to relieve pain, increase energy, and to treat nicotine and other addictions. Training and licensing of practitioners varies by state; many physicians have added acupuncture training to their arsenal of treatments. Anesthesiologist: A physician who specializes in administering anesthetics, drugs or agents that produce a complete or partial loss of feeling to relieve pain. Although anesthesiologists are commonly used during surgical procedures, many also specialize in pain management for chronic or acute problems such as back pain. Chiropractor: A health practitioner who provides chiropractic care, a system of therapy based on the theory that the state of a person's health is determined in general by the condition of his or her nervous system. Chiropractors cannot perform surgery or prescribe drugs. This form of treatment is largely through manual manipulation of the spine. Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) after completing 4 years of training in an accredited chiropractic school. Endocrinologist: A physician who specializes in disorders of the hormonal system. Endocrinologists also specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diabetes mellitus. Family Practitioner: A physician who specializes in family medicine. Family practitioners often serve as "primary care physicians" and serve as "quarterback" for an individual's health care needs, coordinating referral to other specialists, when appropriate. Gastroenterologist: A physician who specializes in disorders of the stomach, esophagus, intestines and liver. Homeopath: A practitioner who follows the philosophy that "like cures like." Homeopaths try to match a person's personality, habits and symptoms with a remedy. The remedy is usually a highly diluted substance that is believed to create the same symptoms that an illness has created in the consumer. Some homeopaths are physicians or other health practitioners who are licensed to practice their profession; others might be unlicensed "laypeople." Immunologist: A physician who specializes in immunology, the study of the reaction of tissues of the immune system of the body to foreign organisms and substances. Infectious Disease Specialist: A physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious, or communicable diseases -- those that can be transmitted from one person to another or from animal to person, either directly or indirectly. Internist: A physician who specializes in internal medicine, the branch of medicine concerned with the physiology and pathology of the internal organs and with the medical diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the internal organs. Internists often serve as "primary care physicians" and serve as "quarterback" for an individual's health care needs, coordinating referral to other specialists, when appropriate. Naturopath: A practitioner of naturopathy, which is based on the belief that illness can be healed by the natural processes of the body. Naturopaths follow a system of therapeutics based on natural foods, light, warmth, massage, fresh air, regular exercise, and the avoidance of medications. In some states, naturopaths are licensed and are permitted to function as primary care providers. Neurologist: A physician who specializes in disorders and diseases of the nervous system and the brain. Nurse Practitioner: A nurse who has advanced education, such as at a masters degree level, and clinical experience in a specific area of practice. Occupational Therapist (OTs): A licensed health professional who evaluates, treats and consults with individuals who are limited in their ability to fully function due to physical injury or illness, psychosocial dysfunction, developmental or learning disabilities, socioeconomic and cultural differences, or the aging process. OTs use "purposeful activity" (for example, teaching how to cook a meal or use public transportation) to maximize independence, prevent disability, and maintain health. Orthopedist: A physician who specializes in disorders and diseases of the skeletal system. Osteopath: A physician who has earned a Degree of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and is licensed to practice medicine. Like medical doctors (MDs), osteopaths receive postdoctoral training in their chosen specialty field, and they can prescribe medicine. Otolaryngologist: A physician who specializes in diseases and disorders of the ear, nose and throat. Physiatrist: A physician who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation, and who evaluates the physical functioning of an individual and oversees the individual's rehabilitation program. Physical Therapist (PT): A health professional licensed to help in the examination and treatment of individuals with physical limitations, or disabilities. PTs have a minimum of a bachelors degree. Physician Assistant (PA): A professional trained in certain aspects of the practice of medicine. A PA practices under the direction and supervision of a physician, and has generally received two to four years of education related to the practice of medicine. Podiatrist: A health professional who diagnoses and treats disorders of the feet. Podiatrists complete a 4-year postgraduate program leading to a degree of Doctor of Podiatric Medicine. Proctologist: A physician who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the colon, rectum and anus. Psychiatrist: A physician who specializes in the prevention, causes, diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders. Psychiatrists differ from other types of mental health professionals because they have earned a medical degree and specialty training; as such, they are the only mental health specialist who can prescribe medication. Psychologist: A person who studies animal and human behavior. A clinical psychologist holds a graduate degree in psychology (PhD), and provides testing and counseling to people with mental or emotional disorders. Pulmonologist: A physician who specializes in disorders of the lung. Radiologist: A physician who specializes in radiology, the branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disease using any of the various sources of radiant energy, such as X-rays. Rheumatologist: A physician who specializes in disorders of connective tissue and related structures; largely, they diagnose and treat inflamed and diseased joints and arthritis. Social Worker: A professional with advanced education, generally a Masters Degree in Social Work, or MSW, in dealing with social, emotional, and environmental problems association with illness or disability. Social workers counsel individuals and families on community resources and, depending on their area of specialization and training, on coping with mental illness or disorders.

	FMS fact & fallacy Myofascial Pain Syndrome Chronic Pain FMS Help Pages Fibromyalgia Basics FM Diagnosis FM Treatments Articles on FMS Post-Traumatic FMS Juvenile FMS FMS & MPS Q&A FMS/CFS Advocacy FMS/MPS Petition Fibromyalgia Book Fund Useful Stuff Remembering Jayelle FMily websites & FMS links
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