Had my follow up pain management appt. today.....

**Cindylou** · 04-22-2010, 04:43 PM

This time my hubby came with me. I have been so discouraged by their lack of empathy and support, I needed a quarterback today. It went so-so. Rick asked the PA point blank, if they were in the business of pain management, then why weren't they managing my pain? It was pretty powerful when he delivered it. She gave her schpeal to him about pain being social/psychological/biological, etc. and I just couldn't take it. Told her that was a bunch of bullshit. We eventually agreed to disagree, but she wanted me to be sure that she didn't just make this up, but it was proven research. Honestly, do they not get if your pain isn't being controlled, yeah, that's where you get depressed and don't want to go out anymore! And she finally flat out said they do not like to treat chronic pain patients with narcotics. I felt a little angry after that.......wanted to throw her thru a plate glass window. I have more to add, but need to take a break for a bit.....to be continued.

**Katie** · 04-22-2010, 07:05 PM

Cindy, didn't you find another person in that outfit or another who was more empathetic? That is complete crap! Continue on with chapter two...I'll be here to listen my friend. And thank heavens for Rick coming along...at least now he sees what you have to deal with.

**Justin** · 04-22-2010, 08:01 PM

I'm sorry that you are still struggling CL. I fully understand your frustration with chronic pain. I know many pain doctors that treat chronic pain and do not write for narcotics. Unfortunately, for most pain "syndromes" chronic narcotic therapy is not indicated.

Have you pursued other non-narcotic based medications and interventions (injections, cognitive behavior therapy, etc.) with any success?

**Cindylou** · 04-22-2010, 08:56 PM

So, I need to back up a bit. When I saw the spine doc two weeks ago, he looked at my current lumbar CT (maybe I already reported this?) and said he saw several potential pain generators. One being that my SI Joint Fusion was not fused. He was emphatic about that. I haven't called the doctor who did this SI Joint surgery yet about my spine doc's opinion. I don't hardly know where to go with this piece of information. Another was that my L5-6 facet joints were severly arthritic. And then whatever is going on with my hip is a likely pain generator. Oh, how I wish all these doctors would confer with each other.

It's so confusing. I will say the PA upped my fentanyl patch today from 12.5 to 25 or 24, whichever it is. She also gave me a script of Oxycodone (15) which is to last for 30 days, so basically 1 every other day. If I am even doing that math correct. I was shocked she wrote that script out....she only did it, I truly believe, because my husband was there.

Yes, Justin, I have done all kinds of modalities and adjunct therapies. Too many injections to count. I see a psychiatrist and am just going back to the pain clinic's psychologist. Throw physical therapy (lots) in there as well. Unfortunately, I fear I have numerous pain generators which is complicating the whole mess.

**Carmen** · 04-22-2010, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Cindylou

This time my hubby came with me. I have been so discouraged by their lack of empathy and support, I needed a quarterback today. It went so-so. Rick asked the PA point blank, if they were in the business of pain management, then why weren't they managing my pain? It was pretty powerful when he delivered it. She gave her schpeal to him about pain being social/psychological/biological, etc. and I just couldn't take it. Told her that was a bunch of bullshit. We eventually agreed to disagree, but she wanted me to be sure that she didn't just make this up, but it was proven research. Honestly, do they not get if your pain isn't being controlled, yeah, that's where you get depressed and don't want to go out anymore! And she finally flat out said they do not like to treat chronic pain patients with narcotics. I felt a little angry after that.......wanted to throw her thru a plate glass window. I have more to add, but need to take a break for a bit.....to be continued.

Hi CyndyLou,
My pain management doctor was suppose to work with the doctor but didn't. Somehow there was some miscommunication. So I now have a new pain doctor. She is fabulous. You just need another doctor. Get a referral from someone. I wish you lived by me and I would have you go to her. I felt bad since I did not have everything with me. I forget half of it. It would have really helped her but I had been at this clinic before so she was able to pull up a lot and that helped her. Sometimes other doctors or better yet nurses sometimes can give you the right doctor to see. That is how I got one of my doctor's. I was calling about a clinical trial and it was over but I am seeing the same doctor. I hope he leaned something from the it. I just got a per. from her for vicadin. I hate to start taking it again after I was weaned off of it but there is a lot to do before surgery and I can't depend on anyone else to do it for me. LOOK FOR ANOTHER DOCTOR.....This is mom telling you this. Talk to you again, Carmen

**ajj1001** · 04-23-2010, 03:05 AM

Originally Posted by Cindylou

Unfortunately, I fear I have numerous pain generators which is complicating the whole mess.

What did the pain clinic say in response to the information about your unfused fusion and other physical problems? Did they listen?

**Cindylou** · 04-23-2010, 07:00 AM

Not really Alison. She just kept saying "you have a plan in place." Meaning, I have an appt. booked a few months out w/ the doc who invented the pain pump, and a couple of psychologist appointments. They made me make all these appointments as part of my tx plan. (except the hip scope one) My hubby, bless his heart, wanted to ask some questions about chronic pain, so she was sitting there going blah, blah, blah w/ their pain philosophy, all the while I am writhing in my chair in pain, like I don't exist. I was thoroughly depressed after we left there.

**ajj1001** · 04-23-2010, 10:16 AM

Is the pain clinics philosophy one of - "there no surgical procedure/intervention that will make it better, the sooner you accept it the sooner you'll manage it better"?

**linda** · 04-23-2010, 07:08 PM

CL,
I am so sorry you are going through all this stress with these docs. It seems to make the pain that much worse. I've noticed at work now that the building business has picked up here lately that when a problem comes up that spikes my stress level my pain jumps way up more than it already is. Hopefully the 25 mg patch will help you a lot, especailly after it gets in your system for awhile. However, they sure were stingy with the oxycodone. Have you gotten everything unpacked from your move? I hope you have a stress free weekend and that your pain goes down some.
Linda

**Cindylou** · 04-23-2010, 07:23 PM

I don't know for sure Alison. I still think my pain generators have some potential intervention left. Surgical or otherwise. I am not opposed to having a pain pump implanted if it comes to that. That's my end of the line plan. One thing I know for sure is, I will not live in this much pain without relief. I will end my life if it comes to that.