How Do I find a PM doctor?

Hi, location of my knee but no tears that they could see). After 6 months of PT my md said I was fine b/c my knee wasnt dislocating and moving as much anymore and I could turn my head so she said I wasnt in pain (i tried to explain that i was) and I didnt need meds anymore, to just go on about my life. That was in Jan, In Feb with no pain control and a pain level most days of 7-8 I had to leave my job. My regular primary md told me I had burstitus in my knee thats why it was still so deformed and bruised (yes, horrible brusing after almost 1 year) (oh and 2 surgeons said no i didnt have burstitus) and painful and gave me samples of celebrex which does nothing. I am scared of being labeled a drug seeker (when i had the percocet i made 60 pills last 1 month, i took it less than prescribed) and cant find a md to take me seriously. I barely sleep, I have lost 20 lbs (i'm 5 foot 1 and 105lbs), I cant go out or have a normal life. What do I do from here? Has anyone else been through this? Any advice would be great. Thank you

I also wanted to add that I have had an EMG and It did show significant nerve damage in my knee.

(Chloe...I added your 'extra comment' to this thread to keep the ideas together. Unfortunately the software blew away your nice color. Sorry...)

Post Edited By Moderator (Chutz) : 3/27/2008 10:06:31 AM (GMT-6)

Hi, i can feel your pain. I have a degenerating disc (between L1 and L2 caising me TONs of pain), have torn teh ACL (complete) MCL partial and busted the meniscus in 5 places ( 4 were fixed teh fith was removed) which has contributed to my everyday back pain stemming from 2 motorcycle racing accidents and wrapping a car around a tree at 90+ MPH. This is all AFTER my diagnosis of a degenerating disc, and the knee surgery has only made it worse.

My GP takes me seriously but is sscared ot prescribe anythign more than 15mg oxycodone 4xdaily,(beause he worries about looking like a quack) and even though it takes the edge off, I CANNOT get a PMS to see me, they all say "we're not taking new patients'.  And thhat's WITH a refereal from my Doc.  I have a degenerating disc, compressed vertebret in my upper back and many more issues.  The meds i get are "okay" at best.

I have not been labeled a "drug seeker" (due to teh extent and cause of my injuries) but because of my young age, no PM doc will take me seriously. Everyday is a struggle of weather i find "alternate sources" for relief, the feelings of bringing the people around me "down" or having them see me as  "drug addict" and still deal with the pain. 

I hope to god you find some one who will take you...as after 9 years of dealing with this i'm honeslty ready for a final peace and rest at the last.  I see it as there being no better relief than being out of my worldly duties and passed on to heaven for the proper relief of my pain and to ease teh minds of those who care by them knowing i am finally living without pain and in a better place.

I hope it doesn't get this bad for you. But honestly i cannot take it anymore...some nights i go to sleep with the hopes that i don't wake up to deal with antoher day of aganony.

The sad part is i have to come up with at least 20K dollars for the surgery i need + pay off the one's i've already had to get the next stage of relief, and i have NO insurance..

The info in my profile is bogusand i go through a second parties internet account just to feel safe posting this ( or i wouldn't ...period) as i alwasy feel big broehter is watching and there t make my life more of a hell than it is.

and yes my grmmar sucks, but as usual with pain meds not doing teh jb, im stuck adding vodka t help ease teh pain...i wish there was some one who understood and didn't think iw as just after a "pill buzz"

god bless again and best of luck!!!!!!!!!!

I feel i'm stuck living the life of the tortured and uncared for, i will not purposley end my life, but at this stage, i'm not doing anything to prevent it!  I hope3 you can cope with it better than I... God bless!

I hope you have a better way of dealing with it that i have found to be the "only way"

Post Edited (Stuntrider) : 3/28/2008 12:04:23 PM (GMT-6)

Good evening, everyone. I know that I am new to this site but wanted to add to this very important topic. I, too, find it difficult to talk to my physician about adequate pain relief. It is a shame that we as chronic pain sufferers have to worry about talking to our doctors about pain relief, in fear of being labeled as "drug seekers". Something definitely needs to be done, in order to insure our health and well-being without worry. I deal with agonizing pain on a daily basis because I am too afraid of telling my doctor that the Hydrocodone 5/500 (3 times daily) is not relieving the pain. After this refill is out, she doesn't want to fill it again but just wants to adjust the Neurontin (300 mg twice daily) dosage as needed. I don't want to even think about how bad my pain is going to be after that! Chronic pain sufferers shouldn't have to deal with this kind of worry! Like everyone here, I only take my medications as needed and as prescribed. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for my caring physician but am so scared of letting her down by asking for better pain relief. If only the doctors could live in our shoes for just one day. Maybe if I could just tell her how I tear up just thinking about having to get out of the house or how scared I am about falling in the shower. Like some members here, I fear of being discriminated because of my young age (29). I pray that one day soon we will all be taken seriously, regardless of age or condition.

Sincerely, Tam

You are truly right, "PAlady". I don't have a PM specialist but a regular physician. I will see a hand and wrist specialist about my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome on April 14th. If he recommends the surgery, then I will have it done. I don't know yet how much damage is done to the nerves. I know that I cannot tell the difference between hot and cold with my thumbs. The doctor hasn't ruled out an auto-immune disease, either. If you don't mind me asking, what type of pain medication do you currently take? I pray that you will soon receive adequate pain relief. Thanks again for the reply.

Sincerely, Tam