h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiya Mikey! Long time not talk, eh?

I needed to ask you for a bit of medical advice, my docotr's referred me to another who's recommended some new meds, and Chris suggested you might know a thing or two about one of them.

What do you know about a family of drugs called Interferon-Gamma Antagonists? What benefit, if any, might these have for moderate to severe fibromyalgia? Should I be concerned about the fact that a new doctor feels I might benefit from such a drug? The little I've read on them is difficult for me to understand, but it seems they're occasionally used in the treatment of lupus and other inflammatory conditions.

Not only are you very familiar with any number of illnesses and medications, but I trust you and I know that I'd be safe considering any information and advice you might have to offer.

Additionally, what do you think of my seeking a more homeopathic approach to treating my symptoms? What, if any, herbal or dietary supplements would you recommend? I've recently introduced kefir into my diet, have long limited my intake of overly processed foods and animal proteins, and am all too happy to try other means as well. I'd prefer that to a cocktail of prescription drugs with side effects nearly as bad as my symptoms.

Hey, how's it going? Heard any more from the doctor's office? Things sounding any more clear yet?

Hey Mikey!

I ran a few of the things you'd mentioned past my GP, he told me they've never performed any muscle biopsy or anything like that, but he would if I wanted one. He didn't seem impressed when I told him this other doctor had suggested the interferon-gamma antagonist, and said he'd feel better referring me to another specialist who won't be so quick to recommend meds without even having run the proper tests first.

When I get back from England, I'm going to see both my GP and my rheumatologist and see how things look but they both agree that they're sticking to the initial diagnosis of fibro from a few years back. If any other kind of tests are suggested, I'll ask you about them first, what they're for and what to expect. I've been tested for diabetes and for thyroid problems, and those came out all right. I'll let you know if anything else comes up.

Thanks for all of your advice, it helps to talk with someone who knows a lot about things, medical stuff is confusing but I've learned the hard way not to trust any old doctor in blind faith.

Ah, I feel reassured now. I'd assumed that no one would be prescribing something that high up on the chain without having solid test results -- in fact, those medications are expensive enough that insurance companies usually won't pay for them without test results for proof that the medications are needed, *and* proof that all of the major medications lower down the ladder have been tried unsuccessfully.

Personally, I tend to be happy and content whenever both my GP and my rheumatologist agree on something -- they are both very bright, but think in very different ways, so if they've come at the same conclusion from different directions, I feel confident that I'm on the right course. But, with both of them, I feel very comfortable saying my mind when I need to. What, Mikey? Have an opinion?

What you said echoes along the lines of what my own doctor said. He said he couldn't believe this guy could even think of meds like that, having never even seen me yet.

I'm always afraid to have an opinion at the doctor's office. Ninety percent of the time I've no idea what they're talking about. Heck, half the time I can't even pinpoint exactly what hurts and where. But seeing as how I haven't got any medical insurance, I'm not going to have unnecessary tests done, and after all of the bad effects that the Prednisone, Trazodone, and Serzone had on me, I'm not going to take any medications without knowing *exactly* what they're all about.

It just gets so frustrating and depressing, as I know you know all too well, being in a lot of pain, and nothing seems to help much.

Well, there may well be some good, safe, (and relatively inexpensive) medications out there that you haven't tried yet. Drop me a line when you get back from your trip, and we can see if I know of any good&safe fibro meds you haven't done already -- then you could take a list in of ideas to talk to your doctor about. Ideal pain & symptom control never happens overnight, but it's also something I never want to give up on, you know?


Mikey