Problems with pm doctor - Pain Management Message Board

Kayley · 01-12-2004, 08:29 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.

twisten · 01-12-2004, 08:56 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, 01:06 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

Kayley · 01-12-2004, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. I will take all you said into consideration. Take care
Kayley

vitonxl · 01-14-2004, 12:53 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.