Fell down stairs, need advice! - Pain Management Message Board

cpapp31 · 10-03-2006, 01:25 PM

Hi Everyone!

I fell down the stairs the other day, the pain kept getting worse and I went to the ER yesterday. That was a waste of time!

The doctor (PA, not really a doctor) had an attitude with me because I am in pain management. He said all they can do is give me a shot and send me home. They did do an xray, thank God my tailbone was not broken. But, the pain is unbearable.

I called my pain doctor again today, all he said he can do for me is call in a Medrol Dose Pack. Big deal! I have had that before and it helps a tiny bit. But, I am in REAL PAIN. Why don't these doctors listen? I am soooo frustrated! Any advice or words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

I feel as though I am very undermedicated, I am on the Duragesic 75mcg every 48hrs, with nothing for breakthrough.

Take care,
Cpapp31

ICC · 10-03-2006, 01:46 PM

cpapp31*****after suffering numerous wrok related injuries in May (neck, back, left shoulder, rt knee and ankle) my first stop was ER. i am also in PA. dr????? i question if he actually was did NOTHING!!! no tests, nothing and sent me home. i made it clear it was a WC claim and gave them all the info. they billed my personal health insurance and told me i sprained my body. have MRI's to prove him wrong. i injured all 5 body parts and still sit in pain. they should all be reported.

kelsey1 · 10-03-2006, 10:08 PM

sorry to hear about your pain.Is your dr just unwilling to give b/k meds? Have you told him you are still in pain even before this fall? hope you get better soon,Kelsey

donaeis · 10-04-2006, 04:27 AM

One of the issues doctors have with patients that are already on high dose pain meds such as 75mcg/hr duragesic is that treatment of acute pain with even more narcotics results in a situation in which many patients cannot get off the increased dose during the acute phase. Also, the medications usually prescribed for breakthrough are like spitting into the ocean given the strength of the duragesic. Sometimes an injection of steroid and local anesthetics directly into the area of pain can be useful. Otherwise, if there is nothing fractured, it is unlikely in the absence of a change in neurological signs, that anything new would be found on MRI.

Fibbles · 10-04-2006, 07:31 AM

Oh well. It's good that you didn't break anything

What about a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug?

A few years ago I was in quite a bit of pain from my neck (I had a slipped disk) and at the ER I was given IV Toradol. I don't remember if it helped though (it was 4-5 years ago). It was also before I was on opiates for pain (they came in late 2003 after I had my cervical fusion).

Maybe your Dr will listen if you ask for a temporary BT med?