Are you looking for a physician to treat you? The Fibromyalgia Network maintains lists of doctors who have been recommended to us by our own Members. Organized by state (United States only), the referral list also offers contact information to area support groups. Receive a list in your state by mail:
Send a self-addressed envelope with first-class postage. (A business size, number 10 envelope is preferred). Include a note that you are requesting the doctor referral list for your state. Please mail your request to:
The Fibromyalgia Network
PO Box 31750
Tucson, AZ 85751-1750
We do not post our physician referral list or support group contact information online to avoid unwanted solicitation by companies that wish to promote their products, treatments, or medications. To ensure the most current information to fibromyalgia patients, the referral lists are continuously being updated. Individuals can request a neighboring state referral list if they have access to an adjacent state.
Finding a Physician
We understand that obtaining a proper diagnosis can be a frustrating process. It also can be very challenging to find a doctor who is willing to work with you and treat you with the respect you deserve. So how do you determine if this new doctor will be the one for you? The initial visit can be intimidating or awkward. Patients should think about what they want from a doctor before stepping in the office. Consider some suggestions from the experts:
Bring your records. Come prepared to your first visit with a list your medications, doses, and medical records.
Find out if the doctor treats fibromyalgia? It is hard to speak up for yourself when you are not sure you are in the right place or not. On a first visit, you will want to ask, ”Will you accept me as a fibromyalgia patient? Are you comfortable with it.” If patients ask the doctor in this way, they don’t have to feel rejected personally, they can feel the doctor rejected the disease, says Robert Katz, M.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL.
Do not set false expectations. Consider your general doctor as the “quarterback” in your treatment plan. “He isn’t supposed to be an expert in a medical condition, but should be the main resource who can sort out conditions and suggest other professionals,” says Don Uslan, M.A., M.B.A., L.M.H.C., a therapist in Seattle, WA. In a first visit, you can feel if the doctor is nice, compassionate, and respectful. Don’t expect a miracle cure.
What can I ask on the first visit? You more than likely have a boatload of questions. If you review an exhaustive list of symptoms, it could gobble up precious time without getting anything accomplished. You may best benefit by writing down your most important symptoms, questions, or concerns. Do not expect your doctor to address more than two or three. The rest can be discussed at future appointments.
Assess expectations. Upon leaving the first visit, consider how the appointment went and if you might be coming back for a second or third visit. Did the physician listen and hear you? Did he seem interested, honest, compassionate? Are you leaving the office feeling better about yourself?
Bad signs. “If you notice during the course of the visit that the doctor doesn’t give you time to talk or ask questions, doesn’t review your history or ask if you understand what is being said, that all counts against the doctor,” says Richard Podell, M.D., of the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. “Also, be careful that the physician doesn’t make generalized or bigoted statements about anything, but especially negative comments about fibromyalgia, such as ‛FM patients always. …’ That’s a sure sign of burnout.”
Be yourself. Try to relax. Overall, let the physician see you for who you are. Your pain is real. Your doctor may accept you or you may reject him or her.