Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Fibermyalgia Doctors in the Triangle (New Bern: living, moving)

[JimnSue]

ok......so these are the 2 places that were recommended to me from fibro sufferers in the area who have and are being treated at these places.....I dont have any first hand info but maybe it will help...

Also please post back if you do find a doctor as there are many of us looking out there especially when we are coming from far away....

Chapel Hill, NC
Alan Spanos M.D., M.A.
Blue Ridge Clincal Associates
1829 East Franklin Street
Franklin Square Building 200-A
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Tel: (919) 967-2927 Fax: (919) 967-1705
Web site: www.blueridgeclinical.com
("Wonderful doctor. Pain Specialist and CFIDS/FM well-versed. Must have a Primary Care Physician who will collaborate as your first line doctor.")

Also there is the BrierCreek Pain and Spine Clinic in Raleigh, which someone passed on to me.

Hope this helps.

good luck.....-suzanne/long island

[JimnSue]

Originally Posted by 2BZee2Pee

I have been reading for hours on the topic and that itself is frustrating. The car wreck occured three years ago and the symptoms started to get bad two years ago. The mono (according to a blood test looking for anti-bodies happened in Dec. 2007) well after her smyptoms started.
.

fibromyalgia usually appears after a blunt trauma or illness......mine didnt show for over 10 years the drs say the effects of the car accident sat dormant and then just exploded one day.....I went from working in an office to feeling a couple of spasms to a week later having to leave my job and a month later not being able to walk for 3 months and that was 8 years ago and I havent worked a day since.....

Until you can find a dr to work with her......maybe she can try a chiropractor...I got some relief......also try magnesium and malic acid....there are also 2 websites that I frequent.....one is called

fmaware.com and the other in immunesupport.com

they are not only informative but also have support.....

I'm sure her pain is all over but if she has specific areas that are overly painful or spasming......you could try buying those patches in the drug stores for pulled muscles etc....I use lidoderm which is a prescription patch that numbs the specific area....but I also take alot of meds to be able to get thru the day so I know life without it would be no life at all....

I understand your plight....it took almost 4 years for me to find the right dr who understands and knows this isnt something you treat to cure but you treat to manage......that is why I have so many concerns leaving long island and moving to nc.......I dont want to lose my dr and am afraid of not finding one who will work with me as she did since it took so long to find her...

good luck....and your a wonderful person to stand by your wife.....it is a tuff disease and she needs all the support.....

if I can help in any other way please contact me.....

-suzanne

[clumsygirl]

Doctors Members Like - Triangle Fibromyalgia Positive Energy Group (Raleigh, NC) - Meetup.com

I found this link to a meetup group that may be helpful for your wife to join so she doesn't feel so alone. Also, the message board lists many doctors that members like. I personally see Dr. Strader at NC Arthritis and Allergy Center and like him very much. He spends plenty of time with each patient and knows a lot about fibromyalgia. He's more of an old-fashioned, prescribe pain meds kind of doctor, but that works very well for me. I have visited more natural-approach doctors in the past but that never seems to help me.

I also see a great chiropractor in Cary that is very thorough and helpful for fibro. Her name is Dr. Atkinson.
Chiropractic Wellness Center Of Cary - Chiropractor In Cary, NC, USA :: Home

Hope that helps....

[Citizen Matt]

A coworker sees Dr. Sheridan in the ACC at UNC Hospital, clinic # (919)966-1459.

[2BZee2Pee]

Thanks very much for all the responses.

We have made a little progress with a GP that actually believes there is such a condition. We are still trying to find a doctor that treats the condition aggressively and is not afraid to try multiple things to see what might help. Right now she is using a lot of herbs, vitamins, minerals, B-12 shots to try and help with pain and insomnia. She also is taking cymbalta as this is supposed to help in several ways, but the first week it is causing bad hand tremors which she hopes will pass and she has Ultram for pain which is causing flu-like symptoms (did the same to me when I took it for back pain). We are a little encouraged, but I know the sleeplessness is really bad for her. She had the exact opposite reaction to sleep pills.

Anyway, if anyone has any more info, please pass it on and thanks again.

[tony23]

My mother in law has lupus, and goes to a doctor at UNC-Chapel Hill who participates in a lot of research studies. My wife, who has fibro, will be going there as well once we get moved.

You might want to check out that option.

[bkmiya]

I don't know if you have ever researched the benefits of Dark Chocolate, especially with unprocessed cocoa. It is quite amazing. You can google it or look at these websites.

The Fibromyalgia Research Blog: Chocolate: A Cure for Chronic Fatigue?

www.mydrchocolate.com

Let me know if you have any questions. I can get some of the best dark chocolate available.

miyasakislovechocolate@gmail.com

[SaraSmith1]

One of the top experts on CFS lives and works in Raleigh.
Dr. Charles Lapp.
3400 Executive Dr # 205
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 878-0900

He used to work with Dr. Cheny who was the founder of CFIDS in Charlotte. Good luck. I found moving away from heat and humidity has been the main thing that has helped me. If you can't do that...exercise as much as you can and build up (this will help with the fibromyalgia), eat organic foods, take vitamins, drink electrolyte drinks and lots of water, try meditation and yoga (for stress). Stay away from processed foods, artificial sweetners and cokes, etc. And check to see if you have low blood pressure. It will make a difference...

[J_Lurk]

Originally Posted by SaraSmith1

One of the top experts on CFS lives and works in Raleigh.
Dr. Charles Lapp.
3400 Executive Dr # 205
Raleigh, NC 27609
(919) 878-0900

He used to work with Dr. Cheny who was the founder of CFIDS in Charlotte.

We discussed him earlier in the thread. He does have an office in Raleigh, but only sees established patients there two days a month. My family member with CFS traveled to Charlotte to see him.

The Hunter-Hopkins Center - Contact Us

[SaraSmith1]

Just another addition...I was one of the first cases diagnosed in the US and I live quite well, but only in a dry, cooler climate. I underwent research at all of the leading CFS clinics in the US. Today, unlike years ago, there is some information out there... but still much is left to be done. Dr. Lapp is a great resource and a pioneer in this area. Johns Hopkins was one of the first to research fibryomyalgia (Dr. Rowe) and find a connection with low blood pressure. Mayo Clinic now has an excellent pain clinic and one of the top fibromyalgia clinics.

I encourage everyone to turn to natural remedies not drugs (nutrition, drink lots of good fluids, stay out of heat, do yoga, get massages/acupuncture, meditation, biofeedback, rest and very important...exercise). I am living proof that this works. The most important thing is your determination to learn to pace yourself, listen to your body, eat properly, exercise, and temporarily cut back on activity for a few days when the pain starts in; then as soon as possible, get back to easing into activity. If you are in great pain now, if possible, get massages/acupuncture or acupressure, and slowly begin to do yoga or walk, and build up your endurance. Those with CFS and Fibromyalgia don't respond in the same way as most people do to exercise, so I have found it is important to get massages. I only found this out later. Exercise will make the difference...it is like a drug, only better (research supports this). If you discipline yourself to listen to your body, hopefully your pain will go away. It may reappear though, if you start to slip up on any of these things!

There is hope. It's important for you to focus on this. I've found over the years, as my body has been able to strengthen, I am less likely to feel the pain, etc. I no longer have swollen glands, low grade fever, or many of the other symptoms, but occassionally I feel some trigger point pain and I know I have overdone it and need to take it easy for a day. A day of rest is much better than 3-6 months! I have been able to return to my pre-illness level of activity on the whole. Most importantly, I've found that by building my immune system slowly, I am not just pain-free, with no allergies, but I'm strong. This is possible for you too, I believe. There may be set backs, but be determined to reach your level of potential. It may not be like mine, or someone else's level of activity, but atleast you will know you have done Your Best. Only you know what that level is. Get under the care of an expert; listen to your body, and yes, push yourself even when you don't feel like it (to go for a short walk or do yoga) but don't push too much. Good luck!