For years, fibromyalgia was a misunderstood and misdiagnosed condition. It causes chronic muscle pain, sleep problems and often times it feels the same as having the flu.

So why are some doctors having a difficult time prescribing medicine that’s designed to help?

A visit to the doctor’s office has become a routine part of Valerie Kiesel’s life.

For years Kiesel suffered unexplained chronic pain.

“This is a very difficult thing to live with. It takes over your life. It takes away your future,” said Kiesel.

But thanks to a cutting-edge drug called Lyrica, Kiesel now has hope.

“It has made a significant difference in my life,” said Kiesel.

Lyrica is the only approved medication in the U.S. for fibromyalgia, or fibro. Yet doctors like Philip Mease with Seattle’s Rheumatology Associates say he can’t always prescribe it.

“We are being asked to use other medicines that may not be as effective or may have problematic side effects first,” said Mease.

Doctor Mease says it all boils down to cutting health care costs, only in this case, the patient is the one who suffers.

“It’s a lot of work to be a fibro patient. Multiple doctors’ visits, exercise and visits with the physical therapists,” said Mease.

Regence Blue Shield is one of the biggest and most restrictive insurance groups out there when it comes to Lyrica, but for good reason, they say.

Regence Blue Shield tells KIRO 7 that scientific evidence shows that Lyrica is not safer or more effective than other treatments.

If a patient does not tolerate other drugs, then Lyrica can be prescribed. Costs for name-brand drugs, they say, are higher for the patient, the group and the health plan.

“It’s stupid. It’s just absolutely stupid,” said Kiesel.

But for fibro patients, they’re tired of jumping through hoops to get the medicine they need.

“We’re not crazy. We’re in pain,” said Kiesel.

Kiesel’s been there. She takes Lyrica daily and now works with those who can’t.

“It’s a personal mission, because that’s how I got better. I learned what my options were," said Kiesel.

Lyrica’s been approved since June 2007 and yet it is still hard to get.

Doctors and advocates hope that changes, in part through more education.