What can I expect at Pain Management? - Fibromyalgia Message Board

waiting4acure · 06-13-2004, 12:17 AM

I am heading to a Pain Management doctor on Tuesday and hoping he will be able to help me with this terrible pain. Over the past 6 mos. I have been seeing a Rheumy and she spends more time (20 - 30 minutes) with "Med" reps. Each time I have everything written out, daily pain, diet, sleep, stress, etc. I keep it precise and to the point in a few paragraphs. She will quickly glance at it and sat it down everytime.

Really not paying attention to it and than ask me to tell her what is going on. My belief is the paper method saves time as opposed to trying to verbalize, especially when "fibro fog hits." Usually my visits are on the same day as Mr. Rain hits!! You see her every 6 weeks and it's so frustrating to be wisked in and out with no real assistance. Basically a wasted trip. She of course would not think of sitting down and when she stands over you with her foot tapping....you get the distinct feeling you are being rushed for the next patient. She insist on doing pilates and you will get better. Medicine, oh you are to young. (I am 47, not beyond years...but not 12 either.) Get plent of sleep she says, ahh yeah right, that is not something that comes easily these days. Well than go to bed earlier than 10pm. I don't fall asleep until 3 am and get up at 5 am ....the pain is terrible with no

sleep.

Anyway, my question

is.... has anyone else experience similiar and had a pain management doctor help you? I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Also, any suggestions on what to ask a pain management office? I have all of my film xrays, etc.

Thanks to any of you for your assistance.

mollymadison · 06-13-2004, 09:34 AM

I'm right there with you! I'm also wondering if I should go to a pain management Dr. It doesn't seem like my Dr's are going to work with me on managing my pain, at least not with medication. And sometimes you just need the meds. I would also like to learn the other things to help with the pain but, sometimes I can't even get out of bed. Of course, I am new to this disease or whatever you want to call it but, I'm already sick of it!!!!!

I don't want to feel bad and some time I'm going to have to go back to work. The only reason I'm off now is due to my psychiatrist. The Rhuemy and PCP would not write a note to be off let alone complete the ST disability papers correctly.

Anyway----I would also like to know what to expect.

tkgoodspirit · 06-14-2004, 10:49 PM

Hi ya'll! I just wanted to reply to the Pain Management question. It was about 1 1/2 years ago that I was referred to my Pain Doc. The referral was for lower back pain and the end result was an MRI showing yucky things in my lower spine. But anyhoo, I told him about my Fibro and the man couldn't be more than a blessing. Now granted, I have other things going on besides the Fibro, but he has helped me tremendously. He fills out any forms I bring him for my social security application ( which by the way, seems to be misplaced for the time being, and isn't THAT fun! ). He recently filled out a form declaring that I was inable to work so that I can work on getting a student loan discharged. He works with my meds. I recently asked him for a pain med that was time released and he prescribed me Oxycontin. He also offered something else incase I was afraid of becoming addicted. I said that I didn't think people who really suffer from pain get addicted. He is going to give me OCC block at the base of my neck to help with tension headaches. Gee I can't imagine what would cause those! He said I wouldn't have a headache for 2-3 months. I also asked him about a procedure called Radio Frequency (sounds funny, I know) for my back pain and sciatica, and he said he'd do it for me.

So, I guess what I am saying after all that, is that going to a Pain Doctor has been the best thing that has happened to me, since I literally "fell apart". He is very supportive. I think Pain Docs understand pain, and are solefully there to see to it that you suffer from as little pain as possible.

I will be interested to hear how your appointment went. And if someone out there doesn't have a Pain Doc, see if you can get a referral. All you need is a foot in the door. And as far as what to ask. Don't ask at first, just TELL him/her EVERYTHING that hurts, and try to describe the pain specifically. Like burning, stabbing, achey, etc.
Good luck.

Be well!
tk

tam821 · 06-15-2004, 09:10 PM

I was wondering about this myself. but I cant understand how they can help me with the pain part. will i have to go to thereapy 3 x a week , and will try keep trying different things on me, til i get so frustrated like the others?
or will they try that relaxation crap? yea relax, HA i hurt, and they want me to relax

My rhemy doc really explains things to me, but seeing him every 4 months with gunea pig pill, makes it seem like a waste.

and my family dr gives me the pain pills, for fibro but mostly for my 2 past back sugeries.

I am looking forwarded to here how it goes too. I hate going to a doc whose just going to TRYYYYYYYY things.. grrrr

I saw a neurologist who said even though i cant sleep in rem 4, the pain is really keeping me awake too and suggested pain management..

I dont really want these temporay shot either, it works for a while but when it wears offf OHHHHHHHHH the pain feels worse..

I wish you luck at your appt and hope very much they can help you, that would be wonderfullll

please let us know how it goes ok,

tammy

DecLady · 06-16-2004, 06:44 AM

To my husband! I have my first rheumy appt in a week- referred by my doc ( a GP). I think he is only referring me because we are going on 2 years of pain meds together and I think that makes him nervous! My DH was wondering why I wasn't more positive about this idea,"maybe this doctor can help you"...or maybe a pain management center. I told him all the questions you just asked! I DON"T want to be a guinea pig! They don't know what will "cure" me at all..they don't even really know what will help this illness! You can tell that just by reading a board like this and seeing the variety of different drugs and protocols we all try! I don't want to borrow trouble...but I HAVE done my research...and I KNOW there is not a cure...I don't have other symptoms other than the classic fibro ones....and they can't fix that...SLEEP, EXERCISE, EAT WELL and pain meds when needed....Isn't that the drill?????I am not sure then why I need to see multiple doctors and try multiple drugs??? Cynical yes...doubting yes....but, I will go, and cross my fingers that this isn't a waste of my time. One thing that I do know...this doctor will NOT be running all sorts of tests on me! I DID that already!
Good luck at the pain clinic if you decide to go...I hope that you find a doctor who is on your side!