I need a good pain specialist

[ggin35]

Anyone know a good pain management doctor that takes Blue Cross in the Los Angeles area? I have been to two so far for a herniated disc and they haven't helped me at all. To be fair I just started seeing my second one but he wanted to put me on some new age medicine equal to ibuprofin. He said he might give me a nerve block shot which is helpful but then he hasn't gotten back to me about that. I am in a lot of pain! If anyone knows a doctor that actually cares about real pain please help me! I can't function right now and it's making me so depressed!

[arrowmyth]

Hi guys~
I just moved down to Portland from Seattle about a month ago and I am having a heck of a time finding a doctor here for my pain needs.  My doctor up in WA is a Godsend but it is hard to drive up there every couple months.  I will if I have to, but was wondering who you two see here in Portland.  I also need a really good regular doc, for I had cancer a couple years ago and had many horrible side effects and  need to keep updated with a handful of specialist.  Please let me know if you can help me.  
Take care, Arrowmyth

[mollywog]

hi-
i have severe facial pain among many other symtoms. i have been sick for 7 years and am needing to find a new doctor as i my doctor of 5yrs is leaving his practice. i have seen lots of specialists and my pain is legit. i have tried everything my doctors have suggested and more. narcotic pain medication is the only thing that makes my pain level bearable so that i can accomplish some things each day and i am nervous about finding a new doctor as i am apprehensive that he/she will not want to treat with the meds i have been taking or will think it is all in my head. i am so apprehensive and uncomfortable that i haven't made an appt with anyone and am almost out of medication. . i also live in portland oregon and was wondering if you knew of a primary care dr. who isn't anti-pain med. i so scared about this and don't know if i need to be as i have had the same dr. so long, but i hear stories and there is a stigma about narcotic medication. if you or anyone else has a suggestion i would really appreciate it. thanks so much.

[Me_to_you]

There is a Burbank Doctor that is a pain specialist. Try Dr. Jack Friedman 310 593-1330. He did great work for me.

[big orange fayray]

I too was on Oxycontin. It was like taking Tylenol for my pain. I was put on a so called NEW drug a few months ago. It is Opana. After using all narcs and none giving relief this med was a Godsend. I take 2 - 20mg. every 12  hours and 7.5 lortab for breakthru. If you are concerned about the Oxy, see if PM will try the Opana for you. Please let me know if you try this and how it works for you.
Soft hugs and prayers to you all.

[Redram50]

Oxicontin: Now Heard bad news on the drug. A law suit! It has been the only drug found to control my pain, which is very complicated. Over a ten year period I have been too Over 65 specialists in just about every field. Cancer was descovered during all the testing. However once that was addressed and given a good bill of cancer removed, outlook good. My Oncologist continues to due labs bi-yearly. After nine years still no relaps, however the complete body pain still persists. For four years I have been fighting monthly to get my insurance to cover my perscription of oxicontin 40 + 20 to equal 60 MG 2xdaily. This has been the best ( not perfict) but I can get out of bed. As long as I do not over do, like try to clean the house, or work on the computer for more than 20 min.s at a time. Pain can be maintained at a get by level. WHAT is going to happen to me if this drug is taken away? Ten years of yo-yo drug tries again? Do not know if I can due it! Guess this is a prayer in the wind.May God or someone who has an ear hear, PLEASE.

[Jaybay]

Hi there.  The lyrica is a med used to treat nerve pain, and can have some really bizarre side effects.  I don't have nerve pain, but they tried me on topamax (same class of drug as the lyrica) and that was some NASTY stuff!  Gave it up after a month since it did zilch for my pain.  But yes, I've been in pain management for a while, and dealt with chronic pain for 10 years.  You really have to build credibility with your docs, and that means at least trying whatever treatment they throw at you.  If, after all that, you still have pain and they still refuse narcotic therapy, it's time to move on.  

[LOONEY TUNES]

As i said,for 3 years,iv been taking ,Oxycontin,40 mg,and breakaways,5mg,ococodone.my back is terrible,i had a Lamendectomy,4,5,with no Good Resuts,and i have Osteroporosis,very bad,Stenosis,with multi-level degenerative changes including anterior spurring at L1-2 with mild retrolisthesis at that level.There is prominent anterior spurring at T12-L1.When DR Stern reviewed my X-Rays,and my MRI,he was struck by the multilevel nature of my degenerative disk disease and feel that if a lumbar fusion were to be performed,it would require multiple levels of my lumbar spine which likely render my low back stiff and would not necessarily relieve my pain.Im very fortunate,iv been on opiates for 3 years,nothing else worked,not any drugs you mentioned,.or ASAIDS,im allergic,to them.I havnt increased for 3 years,but id be so Miserable,i wouldnt be able,to get out of bed.My life,because the Opiods,has made my life,100%,better,taken,exactly,as said,i dont abuse this stuff,or do anything,illegally..Those other meds,make me ill,Hydrocodone,or Viacodin,Loretabs,etc.My life has changed,for the best,and i wish,many others,were given the chance i had for 3 years,or i wouldnt get out of Bed Ever.I hope she calls,Alec Yellin,Please let me know,what DRS,he Recommended,ok? Ill help any of you,Email me,at, ***@****,its harder to log on this site.Im very luckey,i dont have to work anymore,at 52,i own the Looney Tunes ,Songs,melody,as 500 other Songs,i inherited,in 1984.Im inducted into,ASCAP,and CharleTobias,Henry,Harry,Fred Tobias can be each found,on there Song credits,on the internet.I hope all of you luck,with your Pain,i know other DRS,email me,in Seattle,that helped me also.
I again,wish each and everyone of you,in Terrible Pain,Help,and again,i wish more DRS,would help,many,that are so in Discomfort,its so Sad.

Looney Tunes

[ggin35]

He said his nephew lived in Northern California and is an emergency doctor. I don't think he wanted to give me his info since he didn't know who I was. If you or anyone else has anymore info. on a pain specialist I live in the Burbank, Ca area. Thank you!

[anjel75]

Seems that you know a good deal on this subject. You must be a pain sufferer! I, too, am a pian sufferer. I have just started PM for med management until my surgery on my back is approved. I am pretty low as far as pain meds go, I think. I take 75 mg Lyrica twice a day and 1-2 7.5 mg Hydrocodone 3 times a day. Hydro is like Sched. 3 and Lyrica is like Sched. 4 or 5. Now, I think she is wanting to change this. This is what my spine surgeon has put me on but she isn't down with it. When I take my meds like I am supposed to, I can drop from 8-9 to a 0-1 easily. Mostly becuase when I take them, I can do my exercises and go about my day. I am allergic to NSAIDS and I have had 2 epidural injections without success. My spine doc has tried me on different meds too as to I didn't want to have a bigger problem. Ultram= rash. Darvocet= major puking. Tylenol 3=rash and hives. So, back to the Hydro. The only really effective med with no side effects. I really don't know why she would mess with that other than she wants me off of Opoids. Why have pain when this helps? This is effective. Whatcha think?

[ggin35]

I wrote down this info and I will call him tommorow. Thank you so much!

[LOONEY TUNES]

Im so fortunate,my Pain,which is a 9,without it,for 7 years,im in Portland,Or,and luckey to get 2 Oxicontin daily,40 mg, and breakaways,5mg Ocodone.My friend here,is so Depressed,and not one DR,will help him,he needs fusion Surgery,for 2 years,hes very scared,of the outcome.And he cries nightly,next to his girlfriend.Many people suffering,not any DR,is Willingly to help,people in Pain,the people who are Frauds,has ruined it for so many,that need it.Not counting,many,who have went DR,shopping.I know a DR,since i was 15,DR Mark Yellin,try him,please.I knew his Father,and Mother,who both passed away.I hope he can help you,call Alec Yellin,at 1310-556-3477,and ask,for his Practice,or if he knows,a good DR,he lives in Beverly Hills.My name is Jeffrey.Tell him,i ask for you to call him,as its a Emergency.

[Jaybay]

Thanks to our government, the War on Drugs and the DEA, it is extremely difficult to obtain effective (narcotic) treatment for non-malignant pain.  Most pain docs will require their patients to at least try non-narcotic methods for pain treatment first - and for good reason.  If you are experiencing pain as the result of a terminal condition, most docs don't worry about addiction issues.  If you're looking at a chronic pain condition that is NOT terminal, that's where the problems arise.  I suspect you are going to have to try many ineffective treatments before your docs will be willing to go the opiod route.  I understand their problem - not only do they have the DEA looking at their every move, but they must consider the length of time their patient is going to be dealing with chronic pain.  Opiods can only do so much.  If you start off at too high of a dose, there is no room to move up as the pain worsens and your tolerance increases.  Don't think that a Pain Doc is ever going to be able to completely remove your pain.  It is impossible.  Can they make it bearable?  Yes, but much of the work is mental, and up to the patient.