Pain Clinics are "off the street & into a clinic"

[Rustyb]

I had brain surgery and was on copious amounts of dilaudid & oxycodone; not being an addict, I never took another pill when I came home. Now my father is a recovering alcoholic of 25 years; he went into a treatment facility then. The, like me, he was referred to a "pain clinic" due to back pain. He had no idea what to expect; now 7 years later, he fell 4 times in a blackout, and could have killed himself. He was ambulanced to hospital & thank heavens he's ok. He stopped cold turkey & has had major challenges dealing. The point I want to make is that these Pain Clinics are horrible!! All those doctors do is prescribe narcotics! I even called the clinic for advice; my calls were screened, & the doctor never called back. We need to spread the word, not only on narcotics, but that Pain Clinics are evil & only into it for the money! Off the road and into a clinic!! May the Universe bless everyone who has beaten this. Please keep my father in your positive thoughts! "every second, minute, hour, of everyday, I am getting much healthier & better!" thanks for reading & supporting!

[igarfy]

I disagree, pain mgmt clinics are good for people in pain. If your father was recovering alcoholic he should have told them and they would treat him accordingly.

[Mollyrae]

My Poll answer.......Not worthy.

[Mollyrae]

I cannot participate in your poll either....My Doctor has helped me live a life that I could NOT have if it weren't for narcotics. Some ppl abuse their meds and that sounds like your father and I'm sorry for that. He has an addictive personality and it shows with his alcoholism.

The rate of suicide in the country would be far greater if chronic pain patients were not treated. You are not looking at the whole picture here.

I know that you are very against pain clinics because of your father but 90% of chronic pain patients abide by their prescriptions and take their meds responsibly.

I hope that I added some insight here....take care,
Mollyrae

[Shanna707]

First, I must say I am sorry for your frustration with the clinic  your father has been involved with.  Just like anything: There is GOOD AND THERE IS BAD!!

Please don't think that all pain management clinics are the same.  I go to a Primary DR who is willing to give me the narcotics I need to even be able to get out of bed without crying everyday.  Of course, I would love to be on nothing and be 100% picture of perfect health, but we don't live in a perfect world and my medicine is very precious to me and my family as well because without it we would have no quality time to spend together.  I've tried it both ways and without meds I can't even concentrate on a conversation due to the ever distraction of my arthritic and fibromyalgia pain.  I'm not even 40 and my joints in my hands and feet are visibly deformed.  There is always an exception to the rule and it sounds like maybe you found it.  Please keep an open mind and realize that different clinics are run differently and maybe there's a legitimate reason for the problem that you just havn't found yet!  Good Luck and may good health keep you and your family in its sites, but if not please feel free to get a second opinion.
Chronic pain sufferer,
Shanna

[NoMoMeth4me]

It sounds to me like you may be referring to 'Methadone'  type clinics? I have attended a Pain ?Management Program for amonth which was classed as inpatient.

The goals of the PMP were to introduce alternatives to help cope with CP, they also like to reduce the amount of opiates that each patient was taking. It doesn't always work out that way though. Some NEED large amounts to help ease irretractable chronic pain.

It's probably a little unfair to paint all pain clinics with the same brush. MOST I'd say are excellent and the few bad exceptions while noteworthy are not a blanket representation of the majority.

[TrayCee]

so sorry about you & your Fathers situation but.....
MY Pain Management Dr. SAVED MY LIFE!!  Before I started going, I couldnt get out of bed.
In most instances, by the time most pp(atleast myself) get to PM clinics they have gone through all the surgeries and physical therapy and are left with debilitating pain that only pain meds will help.
I'm personally greatful everyday for my PM Dr.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Rustyb,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum.

I did not participate in your poll because there were no choices that I thought appropriately described my thoughts of PM Clinics.

There are a few, not so good ones out there. But there are many wonderful PM Clinics that help ppl everyday. Many that go above and beyond to find pain releif for their patients. Evil is the last word I would use to describe them.

Some PM Clinics do not even prescribe opiates, most prescribe as little as possible. I am very sorry this happened to your father. I cannot speculate on why this happened. I wouldn't be so quick to describe all or even most PM Clinics as you have. We have many members that would disagree with you. For many of us there is no "beating this". We have extreme chronic pain that responds to no other treatments bit opiates. Theretofore some of us are required to take them daily just to get out of bed in the morning and have as close to a normal day as our pain will allow.

The physicians at the PM Clinic are forbidden to discuss another patients case with anyone, including a family member. The law is strict and it is called HIPPA.  They may have been afraid of violating that law in some form. That may have been the reason you received no return your calls. .

Again I do not have a clue as to why this has happened to your father or what caused his reactions. However I am deeply sorry that he has had such an extremely bad experience. As you said the good news is that he is doing well. My wish is that he will continue to do well. Thank you for posting your opinion, all are welcome.

Peace,
Tuck