pain Management

[emschick]

Do any of you go to a pain management dr. or does you GP give you meds? I hate asking my GP for meds because I feel that they may get irritated.

This is probably a stupid question but I was curious. If Pain management doc is better.

Thanks

Chick

[Fluffysmom]

My PCP manages all my meds.  Back in 2002 or so, she was concerned that she couldn't be of more help, and sent me to the pain management clinic.

I was lucky enough to draw the most wonderful doctor there; a former orthopedic doctor, near retirement, that truly cared about each of his patients.  He set the hours he worked, and wouldn't let the clinic set time limits on how much time he spent with each patient.  I would often be with him for 2 hours.  I often had to wait quite a while past my appointment time, but I didn't care, because I knew that the person in front of me was getting the same excellent care.

He believes in listening to the patient; that listening to someone talk about their life and what they're going through often gives more clues than tests.  He also was the first person to notice on X-ray an old compression fracture in my thoracic spine that happened in 1985.

He is the one that figured out that I have hypermobility in my right SI joint, which was adding to my pain with muscle spasms, pelvic rotation causing one leg to be shorter, and all sorts of stuff.  He gave me a stabilization  belt, told my doctor to prescribe Zanaflex, and helped me so much.  He sent me to a wonderful physical therapist who helped me regain my core strength and become more mobile all around.  

Dr. F. was a wonderful doctor, is a wonderful man.  We even discussed politics; he would give me printouts of jokes, too.  I cried when he retired.

A lot of the PM doctors are anesthesiologists, in my experience.  I stopped going after I drew a doc that just wanted to give me trigger point injections and wouldn't listen to me.

Last fall I took some PM classes, and was introduced to the new PM group.  It is much better organized, with wonderful staff, including a therapist to help people deal with their pain issues.  

I definitely think it's worth a try.  You might find something wonderful!

Good luck!

Kathy

[Lauri8967]

Another good thing about a pain mgmt clinic is they dont look at you like you are crazy when you need pain meds.  They are far less skeptical than a doctor not specializing in pain.  Also, it is harder to get hooked on the pain meds, as they have you on a contract to take the meds as prescribed, not go to any other docs for meds, etc.  So they keep a pretty good eye on that as well.
I have only heard good things but have never been to one.   I was assessed by one in the hospital, as my surgeon thought I was faking (of course).  The PM Center totall disagreed with him, and wanted to INCREASE my meds!!  I didnt need any increasing at that time, trust me.  Anyway, sorry to get off topic.
As Quix said, every place is different, every doc is different.  I would def give it a try...It could be the best t hing that ever happened for your pain!
Lauri

[ShadowsSister]

I have had a Pain Management Doctor since 1995. That is when the 1st morphine Pump was put in. My first Pain Management Dr. was awful, REALLY AWFUL... but the Dr. that took over my case is the best... I was going to get the pump removed until my new Dr, stepped in and said he would over see my case. this was way back in 1996. Dr.Dahi saved my life.. and he keeps me going the best he can, but we have all ran out of options at this time... 23 years is a very long time...
So you hang in there and remember you are in charge of you body and the care you receive.. It took me awhile to figure this out...
We tried acupuncture, but it made things worse.. EVERYONE is different that's why they have such a hard time diagnosing MS and treating it..
So you hang in there... Don't give up...OK
I am sending you Hugs.. and Love..ShadowsSister

[emschick]

Thanks Quix and Tlynn. I was scared of trying it. You just never know what kind of dr you will get. Hopefully it would be like your clinic TLynn and not like humming's.

Humming, I'm so sorry about your nightmare clinic.
I was also going to try the acupunture on my face. My arms, legs and feet bruised from it so I am apprehensive about my face. If it were to bruise people my assume my hubby been beating me. LOL.

Thank you so much for your help.

chick

[young at heart]

CHICK,

I FOR ONE HAVE FOUND PAIN MANAGEMENT TO BE HELPFUL , THEY HAVE NOT

CHANGED ANY OF MY MEDS THAT MY NEURO HAS PUT ME ON.

THEY HAVE OFFERRED OPTIONS IN TREATING THE PAIN , NOT ONLY DO I HAVE PAIN FROM MS BUT ALSO FROM SEVERAL FAILED BACK SURGERIES.

MY PM DOC HAS GIVEN ME OPTIONS ON TREATING THE PAIN AND HAS SOLEY GIVEN ME MY OPTIONS.

I JUST ELECTED TO HAVE A 5 VERTABRA RHYZONOMY WHICH 9 NERVES THAT WERE  GIVING ME SO MUCH PAIN, THE PROCEEDURE WENT WELL UNTIL MY LEFT LEG WENT SPASTIC DURING THE DARN THING AND IT BROUGHT ME RIGHT OUT OF SEDATION.

I WILL HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE DONE IN 3 WEEKS.

THERES A LOT OF PRO'S AND CON'S ON PM CLINICS. THE ONLY THING MY PM DR. DID DIFFERENT THIS TIME WAS HE INCREASED MY PAIN MED JUST TO GET ME THROUGH THE NEXT 5 WEEKS. I HAVE THE PAIN MEDS HERE IF I NEED THEM.

IN MY STATE A GP CAN ONLY ORDER CERTAIN NARCOTICS FOR SO MANY DAYS THEN THEY HAVE TO BE PRESCRIBED BY A SPECIALIST.

AT MY PM CLINIC ,THE STAFF ARE ALL VERY SWEET AND CARING.I WAS GIVEN OPTIONS ON TREATING THE PAIN AND OPTION NUMBER 1 , I DECLINED ,SO WE DECIDED ON THE RHYZONOMY.I WENT THROUGH THE DIAGNOSTIC STUDY FOR IT AND THEN THE PROCEEDURE.

I AGREE WITH QUIX, ITS LIKE ANY MEDICAL FEILD YA HAVE THE GOOD AND THE BAD.

AT MY LOCAL PAIN CLINIC WHICH IS THE ONLY ONE AROUND FOR 50 MILES I HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYTHING BAD ABOUT THESE 2 DR'S AND PATIENTS HERE,WE SEE THE ACTUAL DR. NOT AN ASSISTANT.

THEY HAVE SEVERAL OPTIONS THEY OFFER FOR PAIN AND THEY DISCUSS ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

SO FAR THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL,CARING AND DEFINATLY CAN VALIDATE ON HOW BAD MY SPACTICITY HAS GOTTEN TO MY NEURO.

I WILL BE HONEST AND SAY I WAS REALLY SKEPTIC ON A PM CLINIC AND IT WAS MAINLY JUST BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAD READ OR HEARD.

IF YOU HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR GP ,HE WILL ADVISE YOU WHATS BEST FOR YOU AS A PATIENT.

DON'T LET YOUR PAIN GET OUT OF CONTROL FOR THE FEAR OF BEING REFERRED TO A PM CLINIC.

T-LYNN

[Quixotic1]

I don't believe that pain management is usually a waste of time, nor that they are patronizing.  In many cases they are quite delightful doctors and very aggressive in treating pain - often with novel therapies.  They use the narcotics where needed, but often find ways to avoid them.

I think the answer here is that obviously there are some in pain management that are incompetent and hard-nosed and there are some that are caring, and dedicated to relieving your pain.  It seems to me that this spectrum is the same as in any field of medicine or any profession.

If I had pain that was not being addressed by my usual physicians and they suggested pain management, I would go and see what was being offered.  I don't see any reason to prejudge and dismiss that option.  If it turned out to be a waste of time, so be it, but it might be wonderful.  We have had people on here who felt that PM saved their life.

Quix

[humming4u]

i had a terrible time at a pain management center, so i say ditto to all the others responses.my np treats me the best she can and i an extremely thankful for her and her concern for me.then pain center I went to felt like mouse maze full of very sad and suffering people, and staff that could give a da**,truly the meds they put me on made me think I was losing my mind,and i begged for help, at the worst they said "we didn't make you this way, you'd better go to you GP"  on my own i stopped all meds, not the best choice, went through withdrawels, thought i was dying,worst time in my life! this is just my truth, I would never send anyone i cared about near one!
                                                                         humming4u

[emschick]

Oh my goodness. It sounds that pain management may be the last thing I want to do. So far my GP is treating my pain but maybe the neuro clinic will take over. They have pain management department in this clinic.

Thanks everyone I have a different outlook on painmanagement now.

[Freespirit24]

well i am on Tegretol  for my Neuropathic pain which hasbeen like a miracle drug for me. I was prescribed Lyrica which is not covered in Canada and very expensive and my GP changed it to the generic of Tegretol which he felt was a better drug for it any way. I occasional have break through pain but mostly it is wonderful. Before starting this drug i would up nights in tears.  No other pain medication worked.

Thanks mrsmel I looked at that site it is easy to read and well set out, very helpful.

hope you get your pain sorted out soon.

Sarah

[mrsmel]

Here is a great site to learn more about MS pain, and what to do about it. I'm sorry that more doctors don't understand MS pain. With the knowledge you get from this site you may know what to ask for, and from what doctor. Please don't hesitate to ask for help—and don't suffer pain for fear of irritating a doctor!
http://www.msakc.org/Articles/MSPain.htm

Hugs,

mrsmel

[Tahiri_Veila]

My PCP is wonderful.  He will treat the pain and help to the best of his ability.  So I think it depends on your GP.  Only you know him so only you can decide.
  Tahiri

[wishforchange]

My GP has just blackmailed me into seeing a pain management clinic.  They are generally in my experience staffed by patronizing experts in inane commentry.  They exist just to look like something is being done.  

Don't want the appointment, don't want to be bullied.  The expression "teaching your grandmother to suck eggs" springs to mind as I have to nod helplessly at their advice.  I was a psychologist by profession.

It is commonly accepted I believe that all patients at a pain clinic are in the eyes of the staff namby pamby moaners who need to be told to calm down in slow and easily understood words.  We're all just hysterical.  

I hope they have a long, long, long waiting list.  When I get to the top of the queue, here's hoping they cancel the appointment and put me on the end of the waiting list again, for ever and ever. Amen.  Drugs not worn off yet if you're wondering.

[santana8]

Well, Neuro said go to pain doctor, Pain doctor said he needs neuro to tell him it is OK to reat pain, Pain doctor won't treat pain without neuro's consent! I don't know which one has been worse the pain  or the pain of being kicked back and forth between the two of them. Finally my pain is becoming manageable, I guess after two and a half years of hurting I have become used to it as a normal occurance! Guess neither one of them cares about my pain!