First Pain Mangement Appointment ? - Pain Management Message Board

lifeaftr40 · 06-26-2008, 08:02 PM

My PCP has been prescribing me 7.5 mg Percocets 120 every 2-3 months for back issues ( degenerative disc disease and mild to moderate disc bulge in Lumbar/Sacral area)
On July 11 at 9:30 I have a regular check up with my qrtly blood work at PCP. 12:30 I have my first PM visit. I have not had a refill on my percs since late April and can just make it until July I ( I HOPE as the past few days my pain has increased ) Do I ask my PCP for my script or do I wait until I go to the PM ? One evening I had gone to the ER my spasms were so bad for a shot of Toradol and it was the ER Dr who suggested the pain management. My PCP does not know I am going. What will happen with my first PM appointment ? Will I have to pee to show meds and should I make sure I take something the night before and that morning ? I have read that PM doctors make you sign a contract or something ? What exactly should I expect ?

sammyo1 · 06-27-2008, 06:45 AM

Since I just went throught the same experiance I can understand where your coming from. First I think from all I have read here & heard from others its hard to predict what will happen that first appointment. Every PM doctor seems to have their own way of doing things.
I was asked numerous times by urgent care & ER why I was not in PM in the past. I wish I would not have waited so long so I think your making the right move there.
Of course youll have to tell you Pcp because the PM will want your records. Just be honest & tell him/her that ER recommended it & you felt it was the right move, no one wants to take trips to ER. Yes I signed several papers, alot with rules to comply with. In fact my next appointment I am asking for a copy, not because I wont comply but because there was such a long list I can remember them all & I can see where you may forget somthing minor. My Pm did not do any tests the first visit, mainly asked questions & set up some epidurals. OF course he did not have all my records from the other doctors.
It abit stressful waiting , I am glad I took my husband along, he remembered bits of what I could not recall. I was honest & told him exactly what I was taking & so on.
For me it will take abit to get to know this doctor so I can see being a bit nervous even waiting for the next appointment. I really liked his personality & that means alot to me. Thus far I feel I got really lucky, but I did ask around to people I knew I could trust & even a couple doctors. Word of mouth I have discovered is the best way to go.
Make a list of questions you feel are important & just try to relax. I know hard to do. Also you may want to get a copy of your records or any test result, which was suggested to me & I am really happy I did that.
Good luck, Sammy

badoldback · 06-27-2008, 07:23 AM

Hey life,
I would go ahead and try to get your percocet refilled. You don't know what is going to happen at the PM, and it's always good to have something to fall back on.

ms_west · 06-27-2008, 07:44 AM

I agree - get that script - because sometimes pain mgmt doctors don't prescribe narcotics. I know sounds weird. This is the way my pm is run. I would not say anything about your afternoon appt to the gp. Go to your pm appt, if he writes the script, then I would hand the script from the gp to him. In my opinion, this will earn brownie points with the new pm.

lifeaftr40 · 07-02-2008, 10:58 AM

My regular PCP had suggested my next "step" would be the Oxycontin from the 7.5 mg Percs i am now taking. i thought that was a big jump. I would havepreferred say 10 mg perc or even regular Roxicet without the extended release. That is why I am going to PM to get another opinion. Sincem y last PCp appointment, I have been suffering more than usual so I may take PCP up on the Oxy and see what PM can offer instead as well.