Director, forgot to answer the rest of your ?? - Pain Management Message Board

trowftd3 · 03-15-2006, 12:36 AM

Sorry, I forgot to answer the part about how often they want to see you at Swedish.

Like Mike said they have you primary doc continue whatever they order and I think they like to see you once a year. When I was there for a facet block there was an elderly man in for the same thing from Yakima. My first visits were 2 or 3 a week until they had gone through a bunch of procedures but I think if they knew how far your were driving they would cut you some slack. I think the man from Yak said he only showed up every six months or once a year depending on when his injections wore off.

It never hurts to have a back up plan or a second opinion. I just wish I could get a diagnosis!! But, I'm also afraid they'll try to change my meds which are allowing me to function in the real world.

Take care, peace. ~Mush

RetiredDirector · 03-15-2006, 11:42 AM

Hey Mush: Thanks for the reply to my question. The reason I had asked that, is my doctor (my PCP) is the one supplying my medication. When you're on the dose I'm on, there are doctors who would shy away from you. Since my doctor is about 60, I think he may be thinking about retirememt. If he does, I'll need to find someone to take over my care. I get 540, 10 mg Methadone tabs a month and I will most likely need to go the pain management route to continue my meds. Swedish in Seattle is like a Three and a half to four hours drive for me. I really wouldn't want to have to make the drive every month or so, especially in the winter when they sometimes close the passes due to snowslides or just bad weather.

Thanks for taking the time to write back.