Kayley
01-12-2004, 11:29 AM
Hi all. I wonder if any of you have had this experience at the pm doctor. I've been going to the same one for two years. The first time I saw him, I was in tears because I was in so much pain, and he was very nice and concerned and treated me well. I am usually in alot of pain when I see him now because the car ride hurts me. But if I don't look terrible to him, or cry, he thinks I don't hurt. I feel like I have to "convince" him that I do. Sometimes I don't take my breakthrough meds before I go just so I can be in tears and he will take me seriously. I only see him every three months unless I need to go back before that, and one time I didn't go for three months, and when I saw him, he said "you're feeling good". Well, I wish I was feeling good, but I don't consider it feeling good when I can't do anything or go anywhere without my pain going up to a 10. The pain meds only help me at rest, which I've tried to explain to him. About 6 months ago, I was crying when I was there and had to lay down. He was all concerned again, saying "oh, you have a serious problem". Why is it he only believes I have a serious problem when I'm crying? I want to try another pm doctor, but the problem is, I have an HMO and if I switch and can't get my meds from someone else, I'll have to go crawling back to him and he will know that. He is always telling me "you look good, so you must be feeling better." I'm tired of being told how I feel. I did feel better at one time and was off almost all the meds, so he should know that I would tell him if I did feel better. I'm in the process of trying to get SSD and he won't help me with that, he said he doesn't say that anyone can't work. So it is to the point now where I dread my appointments with him. I don't know how to deal with this. :confused:
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twisten
01-12-2004, 11:56 AM
I wish I could help you but I don't know anything about HMO's or how they work. I'm in Canada and we don't have that. I can relate to the doc saying you look good so you must be feeling good. My conditions are invisible also. My internal specialist used to say that to me and that my problem was that I was addicted to narcotics. So unless I had lost a pile of weight he figured everything should be fine because I looked okay. Sorry but I have to make this short, I have an appointment this morning. I'll try to post back later.
Shoreline
01-12-2004, 04:06 PM
Hey kayle, You shouldn't have to cry to be taken serriopusly. Some doc s would simply call it post or pre menepausal hysteria. That's not a good thing when you get labeled a hysterical person.
The best way to make a change is to ask to try a modality he doesn't offer. he should understand and so should your PCP. If he doesn't do trigger point injections, then it doesn't make sense to see one PM doc for TP injections and one for medication. I'm sure there is a modality that he doesn't offer that another in your network does.
Just call ahead and explain your presently taking X and you would like to try Y modality but would the doctor be able to continue my meds for me too. I don't want to have to see 2 pain docs, one for meds and one for TP's ,accupuncture, etc. I'm on a roll, I answered a question in less than a thousand words.LOL
It really is that simple. Ask your present doc after you find the one you want to see, if you would be welcome back should this new modaility you want to try not work out.
You don't doc shop. If you meet the new doc and he says he will take you on and you like his manner, then you simply except the new scripts or changes in meds, then call the old doc and let him know DR X will be taking care of all your needs for now but you hope his door is always open. You cancel any remaining refills you may have from doc#1 and you are now a patient of Doc #2. Even with a pain management contract, they are not used to prevent you from seeking and trying new modalities. If doc #2 has something to offer that doc #1 can't do, it's the perfect reason and keeps the door open.
Good luck, Shore
The best way to make a change is to ask to try a modality he doesn't offer. he should understand and so should your PCP. If he doesn't do trigger point injections, then it doesn't make sense to see one PM doc for TP injections and one for medication. I'm sure there is a modality that he doesn't offer that another in your network does.
Just call ahead and explain your presently taking X and you would like to try Y modality but would the doctor be able to continue my meds for me too. I don't want to have to see 2 pain docs, one for meds and one for TP's ,accupuncture, etc. I'm on a roll, I answered a question in less than a thousand words.LOL
It really is that simple. Ask your present doc after you find the one you want to see, if you would be welcome back should this new modaility you want to try not work out.
You don't doc shop. If you meet the new doc and he says he will take you on and you like his manner, then you simply except the new scripts or changes in meds, then call the old doc and let him know DR X will be taking care of all your needs for now but you hope his door is always open. You cancel any remaining refills you may have from doc#1 and you are now a patient of Doc #2. Even with a pain management contract, they are not used to prevent you from seeking and trying new modalities. If doc #2 has something to offer that doc #1 can't do, it's the perfect reason and keeps the door open.
Good luck, Shore
Kayley
01-12-2004, 08:06 PM
Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I will take all you said into consideration. Take care
Kayley
Kayley
vitonxl
01-14-2004, 03:53 AM
I'm going through the same thing. I'm 25 yrs. old. Call your HMO company or look in your book too see another pain mgmt doctor in your area. Call the hospital's in your area and ask them if they will accept your insurance. You don't have to deal with that. Your have enought to worry about. You shouldn't have to worry about if somebodies going to give you medication so you can live. You shouldn't have to cry to get what you need. I have nerve damage in my back from surgery. I had two well know surgeons tell me. He still thinks it's scar tissue. All he ever talks about is getting me off my pain meds. I say to him how am I supposed to get off of them if I'm in pain. He always talks about procedures to break up my scar tissue, but I tell him it's my nerve damage that's the problem. Even the surgeon said it would be worthless, but the pain Dr. thinks I have to do whatever he says because he's giving me pain meds. He knows he has my life in his hands. Talk to somebody that deals with your insurance at work they can find somebody to help you. I would call the hospitals in your area to see if there pain mgmt will take your insurance. If you find one. Talk to the nurse and tell her or him your condition and what medication works for you. Tell them what's going on with your dr. know and tell them you won't put up with it.
Good luck and hope I helped.
Good luck and hope I helped.
Kayley
01-14-2004, 12:58 PM
Thanks, Vitonxy
That is a great idea. Yes, it is scary that he does have my life in his hands. There have been many times that he has said one thing and then next time said the opposite, so what am I supposed to believe? Now he wants to operate and install a morphine pump....no way am I letting him do that. The only good thing is he is not afraid to prescribe pain meds. He wants to increase me and I resist because of the side effects (more sleepiness, etc.). I'm afraid of going to another doctor who is afraid to prescribe what I take. I am reading so much of that happening on the board, just like it's happening to you. How about you, are you looking for another pain doc? Sounds like you need a new one too. The times I was crying there was because I was in so much pain because it is a long drive, which always aggravates my pain. I don't think he thinks I'm a "hysterical female". Because like I said, that is the only time he seems to take me seriously. Otherwise, he says "you're doing good". If I was doing so good, I would be doing the things I used to do, like taking hiking in the woods. It is so frustrating, isn't it? Every time I get a shot or let them do surgery like the stimulator surgery, I only get worse. Now I'm scared of all procedures. I really appreciate your input, and I hope you get some relief too. Let me know how you're doing.
Kayley
That is a great idea. Yes, it is scary that he does have my life in his hands. There have been many times that he has said one thing and then next time said the opposite, so what am I supposed to believe? Now he wants to operate and install a morphine pump....no way am I letting him do that. The only good thing is he is not afraid to prescribe pain meds. He wants to increase me and I resist because of the side effects (more sleepiness, etc.). I'm afraid of going to another doctor who is afraid to prescribe what I take. I am reading so much of that happening on the board, just like it's happening to you. How about you, are you looking for another pain doc? Sounds like you need a new one too. The times I was crying there was because I was in so much pain because it is a long drive, which always aggravates my pain. I don't think he thinks I'm a "hysterical female". Because like I said, that is the only time he seems to take me seriously. Otherwise, he says "you're doing good". If I was doing so good, I would be doing the things I used to do, like taking hiking in the woods. It is so frustrating, isn't it? Every time I get a shot or let them do surgery like the stimulator surgery, I only get worse. Now I'm scared of all procedures. I really appreciate your input, and I hope you get some relief too. Let me know how you're doing.
Kayley
vitonxl
01-15-2004, 02:56 AM
One thing. It won't help you if you keep taking more pain meds. or increasing your dosage or mgs. My grandmother has the pain pump and it's benefiting her. She only had scar tissue problems though. If I was you is tell him what's on your mind. They all ask you "are you doing good"? They want to see your reaction. They get 100's of people a day trying to get pain meds. from them and nothing is wrong. Explain what kind of pain you have not just If it's a 8. Give him examples on when it hurt's the most. Your the same as me. When I sit to long it takes the life out of me. The stimulator I was told by a guy from work is that it's "awkward". First thing his dad said to me is you know the difference. Do some research. Like your doing here and for the love of god don't take there word for it. Get a second opinion. I have 3 surgeons telling me that I have nerve damage and I still have my pain dr. telling me it's scar tissue. The reason why is he can treat that and make money.
I'm going to see how the pain dr reacts to what this surgeon said. I really don't want to switch dr's and have to start things all over again. Oh, I got a tens unit. That helps after work for me. I have a strenouse job. I'm on my feet and continously lifting light weights. It relaxes my muscles and helps the pain when it's on. I have noticed I'm sleeping a little longer before waking up with pain. Your hmo will pay for most of it also. Nice to talk with ya.
I'm going to see how the pain dr reacts to what this surgeon said. I really don't want to switch dr's and have to start things all over again. Oh, I got a tens unit. That helps after work for me. I have a strenouse job. I'm on my feet and continously lifting light weights. It relaxes my muscles and helps the pain when it's on. I have noticed I'm sleeping a little longer before waking up with pain. Your hmo will pay for most of it also. Nice to talk with ya.
wastefulltick
01-19-2004, 12:00 AM
hi kayley
i went thru the same thing with my pm doc he would say you look like your doing better maybe we can lower your meds but what he did not know until i told him was i took the pain med before i got there and by the time i saw him they were kickin in and my pain level was down i explained to him that sitting for long period of time cause me more pain and him pushing on my head and turning my neck caused more pain so to reduce the pain i would take it before i got there i also keep a jornal of my daily pain levels and scale with the times that i take my meds and bt meds he leaves me alone now also i have been trying to get disabilty he also will not help me seems like drs dont like to get involved in thise issues
bob
i went thru the same thing with my pm doc he would say you look like your doing better maybe we can lower your meds but what he did not know until i told him was i took the pain med before i got there and by the time i saw him they were kickin in and my pain level was down i explained to him that sitting for long period of time cause me more pain and him pushing on my head and turning my neck caused more pain so to reduce the pain i would take it before i got there i also keep a jornal of my daily pain levels and scale with the times that i take my meds and bt meds he leaves me alone now also i have been trying to get disabilty he also will not help me seems like drs dont like to get involved in thise issues
bob
Kayley
01-19-2004, 01:07 PM
Hi Bob
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has a doctor that doesn't want to get involved to help me get disability. I probably didn't explain very well, but the problem with him isn't getting the medicine. In fact, he wants to increase me and I resist as long as I can. The problem with him is for example: Last time I was there, he said 'well you must be doing good because you didn't have to come back for three months. You see, he gives me enough prescriptions for three months. Next month when I go, if he says that, I'm going to say something like "Well, if you consider doing good not being able to ride in the car or walk very far or excercise at all without your pain going sky high." The problem with me is, I get in there and don't respond how I should respond when he throws something like that at me, and later on I think "I should have said this". I think lots of us have that problem. Anyway, my husband is going with me, and he said he would verify how my life has changed if he starts in on "well, you look good" or something dumb like that. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the compliment, but I feel like that implys that if I look good, I must be feeling good. I wish I was. I don't like anybody telling me how I feel when I know how I feel. I will tell him, if I feel better, you will be the first person to know it. I resist all the increases because I know if I ever do get better, it will be that much harder to get off the meds. Bob, you said your doctor pushes on your head. That's what the work comp doctor did to me and I about went through the roof. Why do they do that? My husband just about went off when he did that. When did you apply for SSD? I applied the first of Sept. and I haven't gotten a rejection yet or an approval, but I do have a lawyer. Thank you for answering my post and I wish you the best of luck!
Kayley
I'm glad I'm not the only one that has a doctor that doesn't want to get involved to help me get disability. I probably didn't explain very well, but the problem with him isn't getting the medicine. In fact, he wants to increase me and I resist as long as I can. The problem with him is for example: Last time I was there, he said 'well you must be doing good because you didn't have to come back for three months. You see, he gives me enough prescriptions for three months. Next month when I go, if he says that, I'm going to say something like "Well, if you consider doing good not being able to ride in the car or walk very far or excercise at all without your pain going sky high." The problem with me is, I get in there and don't respond how I should respond when he throws something like that at me, and later on I think "I should have said this". I think lots of us have that problem. Anyway, my husband is going with me, and he said he would verify how my life has changed if he starts in on "well, you look good" or something dumb like that. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the compliment, but I feel like that implys that if I look good, I must be feeling good. I wish I was. I don't like anybody telling me how I feel when I know how I feel. I will tell him, if I feel better, you will be the first person to know it. I resist all the increases because I know if I ever do get better, it will be that much harder to get off the meds. Bob, you said your doctor pushes on your head. That's what the work comp doctor did to me and I about went through the roof. Why do they do that? My husband just about went off when he did that. When did you apply for SSD? I applied the first of Sept. and I haven't gotten a rejection yet or an approval, but I do have a lawyer. Thank you for answering my post and I wish you the best of luck!
Kayley
wastefulltick
01-20-2004, 11:06 PM
hi kayley
i think they want to make sure you stay in pain so they do a little disc compression for good measure they wouldnt want to loose there bread and butter lol to answer your question on disabilty i havent apllied yet was going to get all my dr records together 1 st and might try my short term ins then apply if i can stand the pain that long lol
have a pain free day
bob
i think they want to make sure you stay in pain so they do a little disc compression for good measure they wouldnt want to loose there bread and butter lol to answer your question on disabilty i havent apllied yet was going to get all my dr records together 1 st and might try my short term ins then apply if i can stand the pain that long lol
have a pain free day
bob