Susan
I too have FMS, and fortunately my Dr. know that FMS is real!! I would have never been able to get into a regular exercise program without the opioids necessary for the unbelievable pain. I'd like to bet that if your dr. felt the pain for a day or two, he'd get a much different picture than he seems to have now. I'm 54, had to retire from a Dr. office in 1996, and go on Permanent Disability through Social Security. What we need to do if FIND YOU ANOTHER DR.!!! I have a list of Dr.s names that will treat the symptoms of the FMS, usually, several medications are needed for each problem. I was first put on Prozac to give me enough energy to go to work. After I had to go on SSD, I remained on the Prozac since without it the CFIDS really makes it so all I do is sleep. There are all sorts of pain medications out there that a Dr. could and do medicate for. It makes me so upset when Dr.s don't believe how much pain a patient is in. Whether having a problems with medications in the past or not, the chance for ADDICTION, is about 1%, I was just reading it out of Immune Support, the largest FMS group around. There's lots of good literature where you can go to get information. If you would like me to email you some I've collected, I'd be more than happy to. Also, please indicate what city and state you live so we can help find you a Dr. that will help. I'm in Calif, but there are Pain Reps for each state who are there to help and support you, first and of most importance, getting you something for the pain. Please feel free to drop me a line and I'll do whatever I can to help you. Sincerely, Susan