Need to change doctors...in terrible pain...frustrated.... - Pain Management Message Board

painaway · 08-08-2008, 09:01 PM

Hi all...I've been reading up on you guys some, and praying for you all. I'm sorry I haven't posted lately, but I just feel awful. Awful. Awfully awful.

Here's the dilemma...I am seeing a PM doc. He has 2 offices. I've been going to him for over 6 months, and everything has been great. I've been taking 10mg Lortab, 4 times daily. He wants me to come to his other office (which everyone has to do, but I didn't know this) every few months, because it's where he's "home-based," and he has all of his staff and screening resources there. There are 2 problems:

1. The other office is about 3 hours away (driving real fast)
2. He's not a real big help.

This is the same doc whose PA told me (a couple of months ago) that it was pretty much "too bad, I hear this all the time...take some Motrin...can't get you in for 2 weeks..." when I called to tell them I was in a LOT more pain. I have only called that one time in the almost 9 months I've been there. I ended up sticking it out. It was horrible. Just horrible.

I'm dealing with pelvic pain. It's getting really bad. It always gets worse and worse as the months pass after being "cleaned out" (adhesions/
endometriosis). I've had 6 surgeries, and I just don't think another one is going to do anything except make more adhesions. I've tried a TENS unit, various meds (like neurontin, topamax, cymbalta, lyrica...), and frankly (and for the first time ever, I'm feeling hopeless. I'm very involved in my church and it's getting hard to even find joy, because I hurt. I HURT!

So, here are my options:
1. Go to the GP who referred me to PM and cry and explain all this.
2. Drive 3.5 hours to get the same meds I've been taking from a doctor who doesn't really help much (or have time).
3. Cry.
4. Pray.
5. Get help from my friends on the boards.

I feel so alone. I have an AMAZING family, and my hubby is awesome. He wants to do whatever he can to help, but honestly, I don't tell him how horrible I really feel. He has enough stress.

Please pray for me. I have enough meds to get me through until Monday morning. I have an appointment with my GP. I'm supposed to go to PM Monday, but I just can't drive that far with small kids, when I know I'll leave frustrated and disappointed. This doc really specializes in spineys, and I'm sure he's GREAT at it. My gyn is awesome, but he doesn't know what to do, except more surgery.

Ya'll, I know you feel like you've joined my pity party, but I had to get it out. I feel like NOBODY is listening! I'm hurting.

Doesn't it seem like I should be on something long-acting??? I'm constantly clock-watching, and here goes (please be gentle...I have to be honest

REMOVED

Thanks for listening.
Please pray.

conductor · 08-08-2008, 09:22 PM

Dear painaway,

Where do we start?! I'm in that mindframe where I'm going to be very straightforward!

Let me get this right. You are putting in all of this aggravation for the BIG, WHOPPING PAIN RELIEF given by 4 Lortab 10's a day? This might help some people who have a wide variety of conditions and tolerances. HOWEVER, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND how this could possibly even come close to touching your described pain in any profound manner.

The idea of seeing your GP and simply being blunt about the absurdity of this under-treatment of the problem is a GOOD ONE. Perhaps, this GP will assist you in some way. My Internist is aware of the FACT (even though it sounds like an opinion--I'm sure this could be supported by some form of empirical data) that the three PM doctors in our locale are worthless. She Rx's my significant amount of pain medication: Duragesic, Actiq, and Dilaudid. So, making this so-called treatment you're receiving crystal-clear to your GP might force some other road to become available.

Crying can always be cathartic! However, we don't want that to be a driving force, OK?

Now, I'm placing you on my prayer list--especially. So, you have support here. And...knowing the quality of folks here on our Board, I wholeheartedly believe that you will receive an unusual amount of prayer support. WE ALL SHOULD BE AWARE of the returns on prayers. The Lord who hears my prayers is excessively faithful--by always helping me out in ways that are beyond my comprehension! So, I expect improvement here. OH...as long as I'm EXPECTING...I expect you to keep us posted! (Please prove my faith as placed correctly!)

Pity party or not...We are glad you have asked for our help, suggestions, and prayer support!

Sincerely,
Jon (Conductor)

music47 · 08-08-2008, 09:23 PM

((((Painaway))))

I am so sorry you are suffering in terrible pain

My prayers are with you. I know you will make the right decision what to do. Please keep us updated.

Love you, Nadine

brianpain33 · 08-08-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by painaway

So, here are my options:
1. Go to the GP who referred me to PM and cry and explain all this.
2. Drive 3.5 hours to get the same meds I've been taking from a doctor who doesn't really help much (or have time).
3. Cry.
4. Pray.
5. Get help from my friends on the boards.

OK, option 1 - YES
option 2 - YES (to be able to get your meds for another month)
option 3 - YES (it usually feels better to cry and get it out)
option 4 - Definitely YES - God does not want us to suffer and wants us to ask for help
option 5 - DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY, UM DEFINITELY YES

You definitely have a dilmena. What do you think is going to happen if you tell your PM doc that the current meds are not controlling the pain well enough and you really need to change meds and/or increase the med that you are on? Do you think he is the type of doc that would be willing to change things?

REMOVE

Tell him how much pain you are having especially using the pain scale. Tell him your average pain (on a scale of 0-10). Tell him that you can not stand the pain any more and what you are NOT able to do because of it.

If he does not change and/or raise your meds then you should go see your GP and explain your dilemna. Would your GP take over your pain management and prescribe pain meds? If he does not prescribe pain meds then ask to be referred to another PM doc(that does prescribe meds). You could also ask your pharmacist which PM docs in the area prescribe pain med. Tell the pharmacist your situtation and that you are interested in changing PM docs but you want to be sure that the next one you see prescribes meds. They should definitely know the docs in the area that prescribe pain meds.

I would ask your GP if he would prescribe and/or increase your pain meds until your appt with another PM doc. If you do this then it would ensure that you are able to receive your pain meds without jumping through hoops with your current PM doc. Just be sure that you tell your current PM doc that your GP is taking over your care to protect yourself legally.

Post here as much as your want and let us know how you are doing. We know how you feel and many of us have probably been where you are at at one time or another. Keep us posted alright?

brian

painaway · 08-08-2008, 09:45 PM

Ya'll...I can't even explain how awesome it feels to just come and lay it all out, and to ACTUALLY have people write back and care. I am just sitting here wiping tears, so I can see well enough to type. You guys/gals mean so much, and I appreciate EVERY single response. Thank you for not fussing at me.

REMOVED

Formerly, my GP did prescribe my Lortab...at every 4 hours. It was the PM doc who wanted to start off lower. So, I obliged, and I've suffered every since. I am kind of mad, to tell you the truth, that I am having to live this way. Sex hurts so badly that I lay quietly and sob (without my husband hearing me) after we're finished. It makes me feel like my right side is just going to explode. I'm so thankful for the fan we use in our room, because it makes enough noise that I can cry without him hearing. He's so precious...a real Godly man...and I don't want to ruin anything for him.

NOBODY at church knows what I'm taking or how terribly I feel. I am in the praise band...I sing and play the keyboard...teach Bible classes. I put on a happy face and act like I'm ok. Silently, I'm dying inside. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you.

I'll be praying for you all, too. I promise.
Love to all.