I would like to understand if a pain clinic is the same as a pain managment dr. and if it isn't, what do you look under for one when and if I should need one.
Once, they were sending me to a pain clinic where they give you shots and do all these things first before medication. My primary is prescribing and I just deal w/primary but it could change. Thanks Soleil

The best thing is to check what,s available in your area,through Yellow pages or calling a few Pharmacies.They,ll know who Rxes Meds.The bad thing about clinics and pain docs,is you don,t really know which does what without checking first.Some"Pain Clinics"won,t even Rx Opiates!All they,ll do is milk your insurance to death with all these injections and "treatments".The best bet is a small practice or to ask a Pharmacist you trust,who the "Good Dr.,s"are.It will save you a lot of trouble!Good-Luck,Soliel! jack beanstalk

Soleil,

Yes, there is a difference between pain management clinics and a Pain Medicine Doctor. Now, some pain mangement clinics do indeed have Pain Medicine Doctors, but, others dont like the other poster described, tests, tests, tests...

I would suggest you going to the American Academy of Pain Medicine website. You can do a search for a Doctor in your city/state. I did this and found a wonderful pain physician. Granted, I had to call many numbers and receive many "no we dont treat your condition", but eventually I found a Doctor whom was educated with my condition.

These doctors specialize in pain medicine and treat chronic pain. Once you find a Doctor, you will need to have your phsycian refer you to the pm doctor. This was my last resort when I had tried all other options/treatments available and nothing worked. My only option left were invasive procedures and I am not comfortable going there.

I wish you the best,

Chriztene

Dear Soleil 11 Firstly Jack is fountian of positive information and Chriztine's idea is great because you might have a chance to find a good PD near you (which is always a good idea) I'm not familliar with Clinics specializing in Pain but I can see why would think it's wierd that they won't write the perscriptions. I found my Doctor in the yellow pages but I know others who have found theirs by calling the hospital. Best of luck...Lake

Hi Soleil,

This PM doc/Pain clinic situation can be so confusing. My experience with this is just the opposite as what Jack mentioned. I was with a small local PM doc for 5 years (Hello...what is wrong with me???) but am now with a progressive doctor affiliated with a large teaching hospital in Boston. It is a hassle going to and fro but he really listens to me and is willing to find the best treatment for MY pain. We are all different. Can your primary care doc help you? Someone mentioned calling around to local hospitals...I think this might be a good idea. Good luck with your search and with your pain.

Susan

Thanks all, I knew from these previous posts there must be a difference. What is happening is budget cuts are going to be disallowing a lot of pain meds to be covered shortly where I live, like within a month or so. I am thinking I will need a pain managment dr. as I have heard horrible things about the pain clinic associated w/the hospital here. Mostly, they just do all the alternative things and I have been on hydromorphone(dilaudid) for yrs. It may be cut, if so cannot imagine what I would replace it with. I cannot take the other PILLS as was tried on them and percoset makes me weepy and Vicodin cranky and it goes on and on right down to no effect at tall on some of the others. Thanks aagain!!!!!!

Hi Soiliel (spelling) lol. I havent a clue what the difference is but I just want to support you as you always have me. You are a wonderful person. I go to a pain management doc but he is located in a re hab building. He told me there is no therapy for my condition and just Rx's me my meds. He changed my meds today and is going to change them again next month to the patch which is very scary for me. Till today I was on oxy ir 10mg 3 times a day plus percocet twice a day and when my soulmate died 3 weeks ago he upped the percs to 4 times a day because I was waking everynight around 2 am with shootings pains in my head and left temple.
Well today he cut out the oxy Ir altogether and put me on 2 percs every 4 hours for the next month. All that tylenol scares me that was the idea of the oxy ir to get rid of some of the tylenol but my plan doesnt cover it like it does the percs they want 54.00 for 100 whichj doesnt sound like much but he changed anyway and wrote me a script for 240 percocet,,,120 now and another 120 in 14 days to be taken 2 every 4 hours equaling 8 tabs a day :(. He said he didnt want to switch me while I was still grieving the loss of Steven. I hope you find some answers soon my friend,,,God Bless.
Luv
Autumn.