pain management

[toni77777]

I have two diss located dics, stenoisis, arthritis and bone spurs, i am in EXTREME pain, I have been seeing a pain management doc for a year, this specific doc, i did not want, yet the office keeps giving him to me, he has NO compasion, thinks everyone is a drug addict...seeking another, ask him about a break through med, then wanted to take me off the med that works. a previous doc has me on soma to control the muscle spazms. this pain man doc will not refill the meds when i specifcally told him that it works,,, i feel he is is not out for the patient but for himself what do i do ....find another doc??

[omhome]

i couldn't agree with you more. Doctors are not bosses!! We "hire" them for the service and info they provide and i too have seen them look things up (good to do--there is so so much new info!). Providers not dictators. power corrupts. they should be partners--helpers---Healers. But in this corporate age they are not---OK  Many are but they are becoming rare. Money Money Money.   So railroaded--check out some of the posts at the Chronic Pain Couch and "come on down". Om   yogadon

[railroaded]

I think I have the same views as you do when it comes to doctors and posting your views on a subject. I was dealing with at least 12 doctors when my son had leukemia, and I had to take more than one to a hearing board. There are way too many doctors who think they know more about a person JUST because they are a doctor! I spent 5 solid years researching in the same libraries as the oncologists, who were sitting next to me (it was a teaching hospital, and I guess they trusted me with their combination to the hospital library!), but I was researching EVERY minute on my sons condition, for 5 solid years, and he was allergic to everything, and IF I would have left it up to the doctors, he would have died within weeks, instead of the 5 years he lived. I dealt with residents, the head 5 honchos, ONE I wouldn't even let come into my son's room, and told her to GET OUT! and she had to, and finally, about 3 months before my son died, his oncologist almost killed him wanting...and FORGETTING, even though he had 2 wristbands full of allergies he had Stevens-Johnson over..and I had to tell him, "Look, you have about 12-20 patients to remember, and I have ONE son, and I am keeping better track", and he would have killed him, that very day, IF I hadn't stopped them. They went to medical school, they put their pants on one leg at a time, and what is the deal? I think patients ought to be MORE assertive, and you can be disliked, but do you care, when YOU don't trust or LIKE them?! Let me tell you, I LIVED at UCSF when my son was dying for 5 years, we had a room they kept for him! I trusted the oncology nurses more than most of the doctors, THEY kept better track. I was an advocate for my son, and maybe it is easier if it is your child, but what is the difference? Be an advocate for yourself! At the end of 5 years, I loved ALL the oncology nurses, and maybe 3 of the oncologists, and a couple I would and did forbid to TOUCH my son again! Why are we so afraid of doctors? It is partly the insurance issues, but on a personal level, MOST Dr's think they are above the rest of us....and it ISN'T true. When we are sick, we can research just like they can, that is WHAT they do, they go and LOOK it up in their books! I KNOW, I SAW IT! Give me a compassionate, empathetic Doctor over one that maybe has more credentials anyday!

[tita_808]

You as the patient have every right to find doc that is willing to help you but mainly listen to you as the patient. Unfortunately doc shoppers ruin it for all us who really need it. Normally you internal med/fam can help you so try there first. Just remember YOU'RE the PATIENT you have the right for the best care. GOOD LUCK YOU!

[shinty]

Just FYI but when I was looking for a pain managemnt doctor that I liked, a few of them commented on the fact that they were aware of me having been seen recently with some of their collegues. These particular doctors implied that I was "doctor shopping".  I informed them that yes I was indeed shopping for a good pain management doctor, and NOT for the reason they implied. The ones that "spoke up" and let me know I was seeing multiple doctors were the ones who definetely had the worst bedside manner, didn't seen to want to listen, so I steered well clear of them. I did finally find a great doctor who listens, is compassionate, is not afraid to try new treatments, and participates in alot of clinical trials. It took alot of different appointments at alot of different places, but I feel very fortunate to have found this doctor.  I do understand what "doctor shopping" means regarding pain specialists, pain clinics. etc.. I think that it's getting much harder to get away with that with the advent of the prescription monitoring programs almost all states have adopted. Soon doctor shopping will be just that-looking for a doctor that you (the patient) get along with , and trust in his or her care.

[Weathergirl21]

Just FYI but "Dr. shopping" is only when a person is getting opiate or controlled substances from more than one Dr..

Everyone is allowed to go and get other opinions or go see another Dr. and just TALK to them about what their treatment would be and whether they would be a better match..

What you can't do is be getting opiates from your current Dr. and they still be active and then accept more from a new Dr. without terminating your care in writing to the previous Dr. As well as letting the new Dr. know exactly what you are being prescribed at that moment.

To Toni...

It sounds like you need to find a different Dr...Just please know that with spine issues...and most chronic pain issues for that matter...each PM has their own approach and most don't believe that opiates are central to your entire plan.

It should just be one small piece of the puzzle. With spine issues you should be on an actual nerve pain medication like Neurontin, Lyrica or Cymbalta. An opiate does not target that type of pain.

And many Drs. are moving away from Soma as it is starting to be a controlled substance in many states..There are plenty of other muscle relaxers like Flexeril, Robaxin, Skelaxin, Baclofen, or Zanaflex..

It is not going to bode well for you if you demand to be on a specific type of med....

And besides medications...there are many other modalities to treat your issues...They are exercise, yoga/stretching, ice, heat, acupuncture, injections, steroids, ultrasound massage, aqua therapy, physical therapy, TENS unit, possible SCS unit, counseling, biofeedback..etc..Along with making sure you don't smoke, that you eat well and maintain a healthy weight and drink proper amounts of water each day.

So, it's really about finding a Dr. who wants to approach your pain management in the most comprehensive way. It's not about trying something once and done...It's about using everything together so that each one will put a tiny dent in the pain to bring it to about a 5 or so on the pain scale. That is what most PMs shoot for with chronic pain.

Relying soley on an opiate or medication is only going to increase one's tolerance to that medication very quickly. I've been in PM for 11 years now and have had many fusion surgeries, knee surgeries, foot surgery, lap surgeries, and a brain tumor. So..I can empathize...

Hopefully you find a Dr. who you like...but also I hope that you are open to other meds or treatments as the goal is not to get a specific med...but get your pain level down to a decent level.

Good luck..

[shinty]

Find another doctor pronto! If you didn't like the food at a certain restaurant would you keep going back to it? If someone in the healthcare field says you must see this doctor tell them the restaurant line! I think it's common for people to ask to see a different doctor. Not everyone gets along,or likeseach other. It took me alot of appointments to finally find a good primary care physician. It's too bad that in the case of a pain specialist this is seen as "doctor shopping". Hang in there, be honest, and keep looking for the right doctor for YOU.
                                    GOOD LUCK,
                                                       Sean

[marycarmel]

If you're not happy with your doctor, look for a new one.  Don't get rid of this one until you are able to get a new one, as it can be difficult finding a pain management doctor.