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Nicole Said:

Neurologist/Pain specialist: not Quack, but questionable practices? Your thoughts needed.?

We Answered:

To respond to some of your issues.

1. Many pain management physicians see a moderate to high percentage of worker's compensation patients, after all workplace injuries, especially in high impact occupations result in a large portion of the spine injuries.

2. Most steriod injections are done in groups of 3 and have a cummulative result, the second works better than the first, and the tird works better than the second. This is because if the area has significant inflammation, the antiinflammatory agent requires time to work.

I cannot tell you about your individual physician. There are better and worse physicians all over the world. If you are concerned, check to see if he is Board Certified in Neurology and a Fellow or Diplomate of the Academy of Neurology and Academy of Pain Management.

It requires knowledge and experience to obtain these credentials, they are not just ordered online.

It is unfortunate if a language barrier makes your commnication difficult.

I have a similar problem, except that my problem is that I frequently see patients who speak English poorly or not at all. These communication problems are as much a stressor for the physician as they are for the patient. Both want the other to fully comprhend the conversation.

I cannot advise you as to your best course of action. However, if you have tried chiropractic treatments and other alternatives without improvement, then you are probably not going to improve those results by searching for others who might perform the same techniques.

If you are uncomfortable with your physician, then ask for a second opinion.

Dustin Said:

what does fibromyalgia actually feel like and what are the tests?

We Answered:

Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by RULING out a number of other illness from vitamin deficiencies to MS.

The only actual test for FMS is a TENDERPOINT (not triggerpoint like in myfacsial pain syndrome.

There are many other symptoms-pain is the main one-

most people have fatigue-many have stiffness, numbness, tingling, cognitive difficulties-among other things

there are many conditions that mimic FMS-

You need to go to a COMPETANT doc-

many docs will label ANY pain as FMS-and/or fail to look for something more serious

teh rheumatologists are the specialists of record-but very few are truly competant to diagnose/educate/ and treat FMS-

other specialists such as pain clinics, neurologists, adn even PCP might help

It has ben believed that FMS is a disorder of the central nervous system---years ago it was wrongly believed that it was a musculoskeletal sydrome-

the muscles are only a symptom--the syndrome itself is believed to be neuro-

to find a COMPTANT doc
email kindness@fibrobetsy.com for a list of docs recommendeed by patients (she excludes docs with bad reviews)

Sergio Said:

What is the OTC ear drop to alleviate ringing of the ears?

We Answered:

The only one I've ever heard of in the form of drops is called RingStop. You may be able to check at your local pharmacy to see if they have any available (so you don't have to scour around to find one).

Otherwise, there are a few natural pills that can help with ringing in the ears.... although it may take a few months to notice a difference because the ear tissue is so delicate. For that option, there's RingStop and Lipoflavonoid as the two I've heard of. Good luck in your search!