Ask An Expert: Chronic Pain

I have recently been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Would it be OK if I got a flu shot?

What is the best and safest painkiller I can use long term for fibromyalgia? I suffer from severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, as well as back pain.

What would cause a 14-year-old girl to have joint pain? Her knee and wrist swell and cause her a great deal of pain. The wrist had a bluish color for a while. It went away, but the swelling and pain did not. She had an MRI done, but it showed nothing.

I have been struggling with a persistent pain on the right side of my belly. More recently, it feels like it originates in my back and wraps around to the front. My doctor ordered a bunch of blood tests and a CAT scan of my abdomen. Everything appears to be normal. My doctor is quite sure that this is a pinched nerve. Can you get this much pain from a pinched nerve? And the medications my doctor prescribed to treat the pain are so expensive. Any suggestions?

I would like to know if fibromyalgia runs in families. In my family, we have three people diagnosed with it and two others have symptoms. We are all women and it seems to start around 30 to 35 for most of us. I am concerned it may not be fibromyalgia. Could something else be going on?

For the last year or so, I've been suffering from serious pain in my Achilles tendon anytime I run or walk at a fast pace. I've been to a podiatrist, whose only advice after x-rays and several appointments was to stay off my feet and wear a boot to bed. Isn't there anything more I can do, or am I doomed to sit on the sidelines at the ripe old age of 37?

Is there a connection between IBS and fibromyalgia?

What can you tell me about prolotherapy, and have there been published studies on the treatment?

I was in a car accident four weeks ago. I have had physical therapy for the last three weeks and it seems to hurt more than it helps. I am still feeling pain and spasms. Can you suggest another option?

What type of doctor is the best to diagnose fibromyalgia? Can your primary doctor or would a specialist be a better choice?