pain managment doctor - Pain Management Message Board

mdp3 · 12-30-2005, 02:36 PM

anything i should expect my doctor has refered me to pain managment doctor my story is 2 back surgeries the last one a fusion at l5 s1 have been in constant pain for 2 years the doctor has diagnosed me with failed back syndrome i have been taking 8 10-325 percocets a day for a almost a year and before that vicodin norco and so on what a help the post ware i read the difference between addiction and dependance my own mother has said i will need rehab after this is alll over people just dont know how it is to be in pain 24hrs aday it takes a tool on not only myself but my wife and kids any advice on what to expect or what kind of procedures they do would be so helpfull
thanks so mike

Shoreline · 12-30-2005, 04:34 PM

Hey Mike every doc has their wn phylosophy, Ideally you find a clinic or group of doc that uses a multi faceted apraoach to pain, aseveryone doesn't repond to the same methods. Some folks need opiates, some need PT, some need morphine pumps. I would want on that can do it all. I have met plenty of PM docs that don't use opiates but times are changing. It may take interveiwing several differet docs. It took me a dozen PM doc and 3 PM clics after 3 failed back surgeries, the last was a fusion from L1-S1 that failed and the hardware is breaking, loosening or togglng out, one piece at a time.

There is no quick road or gaurentee with any PM doc but being physically dependent is not the same as being addicted. I have yet to meet an addict whos life improved from using a drug unlke chronic pan patients who can dliver improve their quality of life. Would she rather have a sobor bed ridden son or a functional son dependent on pain meds. It just means if you stop cold turkey you experience withdrawal. If you have tried every other way to manage pain, opiates are an option .

Some docs use them as a last resort and some are quick to prescribe, You might want to try some other modalities before making a lifetime commitment. Hence the multi faceted aproach.
Good luck, Dave

tracer · 12-30-2005, 05:36 PM

well first off is a drug screen and no opit meds til u pass.then if ur on narcotics it will probaly be a longer lasting drug and maybe some,lortab or such for bt pain.also most want u to sign a contract as not to get any narcotics from any other docs.most like nerve blocks and often use them.

mdp3 · 12-30-2005, 06:38 PM

Dave Thanks For The Advice Hopeing To See The Pain Managment Doctor By The End Of The Month But It Is Workers Comp So No Telling How Long This Will Take Mike

dango · 12-30-2005, 07:53 PM

I don't really know what you were trying to get at w/that "no opiate screen" prior to seeing a PM Doc--but most of the incoming patients are already on some level of pain treatment--it's just the GP doesn't feel equipped, and nor should they, to do long term pain management. It's a real specialty. When I went to my PM doc I was prescribed 90 10/325 percocet a month from my GP. The PM doc didn't tell me to get off them, or take a urine screen or whatever. He made a contract with me that I would cut them in half and use them for BT pain--and then, in 2 weeks (when I was out of them) he would prescribed 5/325's for BT pain. W/MScontin ER 3x a day--he felt that the 10/325's were too much drug. Seeings how they used to make me vomit--I'd have to agree. Now I don't take Percocet at all. I still take MScontin ER, w/morphine IR for BT pain (and assorted muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants). My PM guy IS very strict and DOES have a contract with everyone--that you get your meds at a certain pharmacy all of the time, etc--no early refills for any reasons, no pain meds from any other doc unless it's an emergency--or scheduled surgery and he's been informed. He kicks people out of the clinic ALL the time--because they just can't follow the simple rules. But he's SO busy. It takes 2- 3 months to get in to see him if you're not a regular patient.