Question: Good evening, Dr. Rynne.
Where do I begin? I'm a 39 yo female mother of two young children. Have a history of fatigue, daily headaches, hair loss, weight gain, joint pain ( especially hip and finger joints), and just an overall feeling of malaise. I've gotten blood tests and my TSH levels are wnl as is the ultrasound of the thyroid. My doctor says I'm fine, but I feel awful.

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX I've stopped the cymbalta for 2 years now because I felt no different with the medication. I also became addicted to pain medication two years ago, when it was prescribed to me for my herniated discs. I was only on them for 6 months and stopped them cold turkey with severe withdrawals, but with the help of my husband, I stopped all medications, which included the cymbalta. However, since I've been off the meds, I've lived with pain, but managed it with only OTC meds, mostly Aleve and Tylenol. Very afraid of even looking at another narcotic. So I've been on OTC meds daily and since I don't sleep well, I take diphenhydramine 50 mg daily. I have bouts of constipation and lower left quadrant pain, but it's never consistent. Every few months or so, I get bad constipation and then mucusy stools. Haven't seen a GI yet, figured it's just part of my not so great diet. Sorry for rambling, but since my doctor didnt diagnose me with fibromyalgia, should I go to a specialist? Thank you.