New pain doctor, same old story

I went to the new pain management doctor and to say the least, I was very dissapointed. My appointment was at 1:20, did not get into the exam room until 3:30. Then I didn't see the doctor for another 30 min. He did his exam thing, reviewed all the test results I had brought with me. He says he wants to do the epidural shots. Again, I am not wild about this idea at all. I don't want people messing around with needles and my spine. Plus, he says he does it under a floroscope(sp?) and does a mapping of the nerves to see which ones are causing pain. With each new sentence he was telling me, I was backing away from him in my mind. I said to him, I really don't know about this...I'm not comfortable etc. He did not even listen to me.

My orthopedic doctor who found everything that is wrong with my back gave me percocet 10/325. I was taking two of those 3 times a day and it helped. Did not take all the pain away, but I could function. This guy gives me something called Ultracet, which did *nothing*. So I tried for 4 days to get in touch with this guy. Never got a call back until the 5th day. Then he asks me what the other doc gave me, I told him, and then he calls my pharamacy with Vicodin. I give up. This does nothing either and I a sick of this. All I want is to be able to function and actually sleep at night.

Doctors do not listen as far as I am concerned.

Robh22--I am sorry, but I do not know anything about your situation--except that you are not too happy with the pain management doctors you have seen.  I do understand about not wanting them to physically try to correct the pain---probably because things can go wrong--Do you know what you would like them to do?  As far as I know, the only alternative is pain medicine--is that what you want?  If so, do you know what type and stength?  There are many types as you probably know and opiates are the most effective for a lot of people--including me.  All come with side effects--I find constipation is the biggest problem, but some people get dizzy or sleepy or a host of other problems--I personally do not see a pain management doctor--My primary doc prescribes all my pain meds and it took over a year to finally get something that worked well for me (100Mcg Duragesic Patch)--Keep trying to get help--what else can you do?--Roger

Find another pain doctor if possible--Obviously this one is not responding. I always thought that controlling the pain was easy--just depended on amount, strength etc.--Doc started me on 5/325 percs--then doubled that (same tab just take 2 every 4-6 hours) etc.--Then small patch--no luck, then oxycontin for a short time--never did try other opiates like Avinza(morphine sulphate) and there are many names and brands. I always heard if cost is an issue that methadone is used--not just for ex-addicts but actual pain management-- cheap. All of course are habit forming and use is usually reserved for fairly long term recovery of severe back injury/surgery or maintenance (my case)--I follow a couple of "Pain " group forums and most patients seem to have back, neck, spine pain--mine is pancreas and apparently relively simple to prove that it is extremely painful (had highest suicide rate of all illness prior to FDA allowing certain opiates like fentanyl(mine) not too long ago)--Some pain is very difficult to prove (Fibromyalgia, arthritus etc)--Even some spine pain is hard to find cause I guess--I know from these boards that my experience regarding getting pain relief was and remains easy--Now I worry about my doc retiring!--

Robh22--Again, I don't know too much about you except now I know the cause of the pain--I see you have decided not to use that doctor--good--Sometimes docs don't like to prescribe LA opiates(long acting) if the patient is young--If you don't mind my asking--how old are you?  I think as you get older, the docs are more willing to prescribe stronger, longer lasting narcotics--I am now 53, which is young to some and old to some--But, if you are in your 20's or even 30's--a lot of docs will not want you on LA meds--just depends on a lot of things--How about your Primary doc?  If not, just have to keep searching I guess--ask around if you know anyone else with chronic pain--Good Luck--Roger