Been there and done it but this is new one - Pain Management Message Board

catnap · 01-04-2006, 09:39 AM

At me 3rd visit to the pcp yesterday. I was told that I am the only patient this doc has now that is on this high of a dose of morphine. (360 mg. Avinza) and now they want me to have a nerve conduction study done. But then he tells me I have all of the "objectives." I told him I had that done in 1995 before all of the 3 spine surgeries and ct scans, myleograms, discograms. I have hardware in neck and lumbar. He has a copy of my last myleogram which says in black and white, nerve impingements on root sleeves, lumbar fusion did not fuse, herniated disks at c3. c4, c5, c6, t7, l4, l5, etc. I was approved by SSD before a hearing before the judge, their doc and numerous others. How much more proof do they want?

Has anyone that has been in this as long as I have had any pcp ask for this? Seems redundunt. Just seems like having all of this metal in my spine would be "objective" enough.

feelbad · 01-05-2006, 07:21 AM

sorry to sound stupid but just what do you mean by you have all the "objectives"?just wondering.the study you mentioned that you had was done back in 95?alot of things can change in severity since then it might be kind if interesting to see just where things are at now as compared to then.i am not quite sure just why this is a problem with your doc,like I said,I amstupid,is he trying to tell you that things are not bad enough to warrent the amont of meds you are taking?Like I said,just confused.marcia

catnap · 01-05-2006, 10:05 AM

Marcia,

No you are not stupid to ask about the objectives. I asked too. Objectives mean like surgeries, herniated disks, metal braces implanted and all signs of what might be causing pain, not symptoms. Like you, it might be interesting just to see how things are at this point, but my pain tells me how bad it is. Since I had to decrease the amount in my med change I have had a "reality check" to see what it might be like not to have the meds. I am not that interested to go and have the test done because at this point I don't want to ever go into a hospital again for tests or sugeries unless I am at death's door. I am just tested and surgeried out after going through everything I had to do to get documentation and prove to the government doctors for Social Security Disability.

I thought this morning I would request a full set of records from my surgeon that did my last two surgeries and went through all of the SSD stuff with me that it might be all they need to assure them they will not get thrown in jail by the DEA for treating me.

I gave them more records that the last 2 pcps that treated me. The pc's assistant asks questions he already has answers to if he would just read the file. I think they must be either new at this or really paranoid. By doing a urinalysis on some of his patients he has found about 4 or 5 that were doing illegal drugs and some were not even taking the meds prescribed and selling it.

I don't want and should not have to duplicate the same test just to prove that I am still in pain. The way I see it if I were going to have another invasive procedure, then it would be necessary.

Thanks,
Carol