I've been dealing with chronic pain for a long time now. I haven't been seen by a doctor yet... and it's not just because I'm a man and refuse to see a doc until I'm dying!

See, I have brought up the topic of my pain before and have had a few tests, but doctors tend to ignore what I say and instead focus on something for which they can write an expensive drug prescription. I've tried to get an appointment with a chronic pain clinic, a rheumatologist, any specialist, but they need a referral from a doctor. I can't get my current primary care doctors to listen to me for even three minutes about my pain! I've tried other primary care doctors in the past, too. Some of this specific pain I've been dealing with for at least ten years... and chronic all-over pain for most of my life. I think I have fibromyalgia, but I haven't been formally diagnosed. (I can't get a formal diagnosis if nobody is listening!)

I get a sense that doctors just don't want to listen, or they don't believe me. So, even as my range of movement and activity levels have decreased by necessity, I'm really doubting myself. I know they're probably thinking I just want narcotics, even though I've never abused them or have been addicted to them. I can't even guess why they'd not even consider my pain. I'm not a "pill shopper." I'm already disabled, so it's not like I'm getting any pecuniary benefits. I just want confirmation and maybe some advice or treatment. I can't leave my third-story walk-up often because of my pain, and I'm having to now use the wheelchairs offered at grocery stores just to get the shopping done. (People look at me like I'm a 40 year-old faker, including a few people who almost hit me last time I went out!) My partner has taken up a lot of responsibility around the apartment and doing most of the shopping, and I'm sure he resents me for it.

I'm just tired of being treated like my pain doesn't matter, especially since that's the prevailing attitude among doctors I see. Maybe I am just a big baby, but I hurt! I hurt a lot. Maybe I'm just crazy. I don't know. But how can I convince a doctor to pay attention? How can I get them to "believe" me?