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how to find the right MD

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 4/6/2009 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
How do you find a right doctor without them judging you before they even start to care for you. I had to look up on line and research treatment for CP. I then went to the doctor I have now. I told her to increase my Neurontin and write me a script for Amitripline. She then make a comment that she was wondering if I was looking for pain pills. Before I left, I told her I needed records for the lawyer. She didnt even know I had been in an accident and had 2 back surgeries in the last year. shakehead
Posted 4/6/2009 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
What did you expect her to do and/or know?

Have you taken those drugs before? 'Told' her or asked her?

I took Amitriptyline for a short while, and it was a whacky anti-depressant. Meaning it may have been an anti-depressent, but it just threw me loopy. I hope it didn't work for you as it did for me and you were requesting it.

I hate to say it, but your post rubs me completely wrong about 5 or 6 ways. Not bad for a 4 line post, huh?


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Posted 4/6/2009 4:07 AM (GMT 0)
I didnt mean to rub you the wrong way, I didnt know what to do to help the pain I was having. I tried neurontin before but not the amitriptline. I am simply venting and trying to find a way to escape the pain.
Posted 4/6/2009 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
i take amitr. and have been on it a few years, it doubles for pain & depression. your dr should have known that. i hope it works well for you, i am actually on 25 mg now, i need to update my profile. my pcp put me on it when i was in the hospital once (long story) but it has served me well. i take it at bedtime as it may make you sleepy at first. good luck with your pain, i hope you get some relief.
Posted 4/6/2009 4:26 AM (GMT 0)
kttn-everyday is the same one must pull themselves out of bed, take a shower and start the day. thanks for listening.I cant give up. I will find a doctor that I trust and can rely on but I get scared of the things I should say. I have lost all trust in doctors. I can take care of any patient, because I work and dont sit but stand. I had a neurologist take care of me for over 10 years and he died. I trusted him. I am going to find a pychiatrist in town and go talk to them because I keep everything inside. I eventually break down in my bedroom so the kids dont see me and let all out. Sometimes I wish I could start from the beginning when I was pain free but thats not possible. I am babbling, cant go to bed right now because my legs will release the demons.
Posted 4/6/2009 5:02 AM (GMT 0)

Hi CSHelp,

Its a real hit and miss thing finding a good dr these days. I am asuming you are looking for a PCP drMost of say we have had to kiss a few toads to find our prince. As far as I know the only thing a person can do is get online and learn as much about the dr as possible. If you find one you may be interested in set up an appt for an interview type appt. Make a short list of questions that apply to you and your condition and ask the dr how he would handle you as a patient. You might try requesting to meet with one of his patients in his office, if some one would be willing to talk to you in the office. This meeting would be limited to you and the patient. Perhaps talk to your friends and family members about a new PCP. Maybe one of them has a dr you could check out.

It is never a good idea to go in to a drs office and tell them what medications you want. That sends a red flag up the pole like you wouldn't believe. Then of course they think you are nothing but a drug seeker. If this was a new dr you should have filled out new paperwork and it lists cuirrent meds. Alot of times a dr will ask what you have taken in the past. Just not a good idea at all to ask for the meds. 

Two big issues we deal with in chronic pain is finding a good dr, then getting the good dr to write scripts for decent pain meds.

 Susie

Posted 4/6/2009 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
CSHelp

You said (" I am babbling, cant go to bed right now because my legs will release the demons.") do you have pain in your legs or do you have RLS ( Restless Leg Syndrom) straydog is right it isn't a good idea to ask a Doctor for medication, but instead explain to the Doctor you problem and ask him or her what they can recommend to fix or help the situation, if your having lots of pain and it is chronic and you have been suffering with it for a long time tell your Doctor about it and you might want to ask if a referral to a pain specialist might be in order? But do it in away that the Doctor is in control. It always seems to work better that way. Allot of Doctors do not like being told any thing by there patients, so stroke thier Egoes a little and it will go a long way!
Good Luck to You
White Beard
Posted 4/6/2009 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
i went through a lot with a previous dr about my back pain & he said i was drug seeking. i was so mad, hurt, and angry no one was listening to me about my pain. i moved and was referred to my PCP after going through the details he said "what do you want me to prescribe you?" i sat there with my mouth wide open. i said i had no idea, i just needed something to help manage the pain. then he referred me to a PM dr and he said "these meds aren't strong enough for your pain level" so they are out there, it takes a few frogs as mentioned before. wished you were here in tampa, i'd refer you on to mine in a heartbeat. they are both fantastical minute. good luck and hang in there.
Posted 4/6/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know if any of your cities doe this but Phoenix Magazine has a yearly lists of "The best doctors" that are peer recommended (physicians and other medical personnel). I have found the best doctors that way...(actually it was the other docs in their practice, but the one nominated was doing something right and hired the right docs...)Both my GI and PM/Neuro were found this way. And ask a doc you trust for referral (your GP or surgeon that you see for a good PM or Neuro...)

Here's hoping that your next dr visit (whomever you chose) goes much better...
Posted 4/6/2009 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
the doctor tried Requip back 2 years when this started and it didnt work, then I went to a PA I used to work with at the urgent care and had her order a MRI and I had the herniated disc went back to my doctor and she said, you need surgery. I think I am going to see a pychiartrist because I am very depressed. thanks for all your support and information and suggestions.
Posted 4/7/2009 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Talk to everyone you know - at the grocery, neighborhood friends, at the dentist, the eye doctor, the beauty shop.  If you hear of one that sounds promising call and ask for a short appointment to see if you want them as a doctor and if they want you as a patient. Works great!

Ms Kitty

Posted 4/7/2009 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Ms kitty--thanks for the advice
Posted 4/7/2009 10:35 AM (GMT 0)
Depression is something most of us CPers have dealt with. It isnt easy accetping the changes and living with chronic intractable pain every moment of our lives is depressing. Looking for a counsoler is a good idea and there are some that actually double and treat CP as well in larger cities. I dont know where you live but if you live in or near a large city look for one of those.

Finding a Doc that suits our needs is another one of those long and winding roads with lots of pot holes in it.

Most of us will go thru several before we find one that works with us.

The good ones are out there and word of mouth is the best way to find him or her.

Dont give up no matter how difficult the search turns out to be because once you find one that treats your pain adequately it will make all the difference in the world and lift alot of the depression as well.

You mentioned your kids and that in itself is the best motivator to keep looking since our lives filled with pain makes every interaction with others difficult even the trivial tasks become insurmountable.

Teaching hospitals as a rule usually have great pain management departments so that might be a place to start.

Also google compassionate Doctors and see what pops in your area.

Did your Neuro that passed away turn his practice over to someone? Have you seen that someone? Your records generally had to be transferred to someother Neuro in most cases if there wasnt another Doc in the practice,find out where they went.

Good luck to you!

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