Newbie -What do Pain Management DR's do? - Pain Management Message Board

llwjww · 11-21-2008, 06:53 AM

New to the board. I had a MRI on the 18th and was told I have a bulging & herniated disc at L4-L5 & herniated disc at L5-S1. My Dr has referred me to a pain management Dr. I have read the boards about people who go to them, I'm just not sure what it is they they do. Do they just give you medication or do they also do other things to help the problem at hand & relieve the pain?

Any information or help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

sophie56 · 11-21-2008, 10:45 AM

Hi, in my experience they don't do anything but charge you money. My PM doc gave me 3 nerve blocks over a year, sent me to physical therapy twice. One of the therapist dismissed me before he finished because he said he was afraid it would do more damage than good. The PM doc then sent me to a back surgeon and I had surgery.
I hope you have better luck . My doc never offered to give me pain medicine in 1 and 1/2 years.

Devon07 · 11-21-2008, 12:23 PM

They have alot to offer but will try and keep drugs to a minimum based on your pain levels....they do blocks, epidurals, PT, drugs, just about everything while trying to rule out over doing it with just meds....they seem to try and get right down to the pain indicator and address it....as with any doctor you can get a good one or a bad one......if you in fact do have a herniation then you need to try and rule out ALL other methods to relieve pain before looking into surgery......in my opinion it helps very few with herniations but it needs to be tried as surgery is not always the answer either and some will do good with it.

Oklahoma has some very good PM doctors but I do know of two that I would stay away from......what part of the state are you in?

I wish you the best of luck!

Devon

llwjww · 11-21-2008, 12:51 PM

Thanks for the information. I'm just a little nervous about going to any other dr. besides my family dr. It sounds like pain management dr's can do alot for me. I just didn't want to take medication and not address the issue's.

devon07, I live in the northeast corner. The dr i will be going to is actually in missouri. My regular dr. really spoke highly of him.

Thanks again
llwjww

Devon07 · 11-21-2008, 12:57 PM

If you have a referal then your ahead of the game.....I wish you luck and hope you find answers to your injury.

Devon