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Posted 7/23/2009 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
I have reached my breaking point w/my current Dr. Starting this evening, I will be actively searching for a new Dr. My current Dr. is a Dr. of Internal Medicine. From what I understand, I need to have a primary care physician and this Dr. would be the one to refer me to pain specialists, etc. Is this correct?

Has anyone seen a Dr. in Southern Michigan or Northern Indiana that they would recommend? I am flexible on where I need to go. I am out in the middle of nowhere and I have to drive a long way no matter where I go.

I have asked this a few times but no one seems to really know. Do I tell this current Dr. that I would like to find someone else that will actively seek a diagnosis and treatment for my pain? Is this current Dr. obligated to continue my current medications while I am in the process of finding another Dr.? What is the best way to go about doing this?


Skrape
Posted 7/23/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
skrape

a pcp can be either an internal medicine dr or just a general dr. internal med dr have more education. either one can refer to pain dr. the pain dr would be a good place to start to find out what is wrong and also handle youe meds. they usually know more more about meds.

mike
Posted 7/24/2009 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
I went to a pain clinic in Merrillville, IN. If you'd like, I can email you the information. They were pretty good. In part, new clinics opened in my neck-of-the-woods & I didn't want the long commute anymore & in part, I wanted a doctor who was very aggressive with treatment options. The doctors I saw at the IN clinic were quite good. They got my pain down substantially thanks primarily to Radio Frequency Nerve Ablation, but they also did write for certain pain meds, including some narcotics. They were not willing to write for any type of fentanyl (which is the only narc I'm not allergic to, hence the reason I needed to find a PM who was comfortable working with that drug), but it it's not helping you anyways, maybe that won't be a problem.

From what I saw, when people came in already dependent on fentanyl, they would slowly work them off the fentanyl & transition them to another drug. I don't know whether or not any of their policies have changed as it has been 5 years since I started seeing my current PM. Let me know if you want me to send you their info.

blessings,
Frances
Posted 7/24/2009 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Skrape I think they have answered your question on this one. I just wish we could help you in some way because you have really had a run of bad luck when it comes to drs. If you can find a PM dr ask this intermist to make the ref. Good luck and please let us know.
Posted 7/24/2009 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
As mentioned your PCP can be a general/family type doctor or an internal medicine doctor....or s/he does not even have to be a doctor at all. A PCP could be a nurse practitioner or a physicians assistant. The only bad thing about the latter two is they are limited on the types of pain medications they can give, but they can still refer you to specialists and work with actual MD's to get you the treatment and care you need.
Posted 7/24/2009 11:17 AM (GMT 0)

My PM doctor has offices in Angola & Ft. Wayne, Indiana.  I have been very pleased with their clinic.  They are all very nice and if I call for any reason they are right on it.  Not sure how far you are from these locations.  Let me know if either of these locations are close enough to you.

Jag

Posted 7/24/2009 12:20 PM (GMT 0)
I lived in Ft. Wayne for about 13 years! I grew up there. Could you email me some information? Thanks.


Skrape
Posted 7/24/2009 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you are finding good care Skrape! Check out your insurance policy, some policies like PPO allow you to find your own specialist w/o a referal. I know you need one if you have an HMO though. W/ my PPO, I can check out specialist who take my insurance on the web, then get an apt. to go see them. Dr's have buddy's that they love to recomend but it doesn't mean they are good Dr's, just good buddies!!!! Just my 2 cents! Hope you find someone soon!
Your Buddy,
Pete
Posted 7/25/2009 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I noticed that you are taking Baclofen and Fent. patches for pain. You do not mention what type if problems that you are having. I am on Baclofen too - however I found that no matter how high I went with Fent. I was unable to acheive good pain control. I ended up switching Pain Doctors to this great one from one of the large teaching insitutions and he explained the for all overnonspecific body and joint aches and pains - Fent. did not do as well as morphine in studies. I changed from high doses of Fent. to low doses of morphine in combination with Baclofen and have never had such GREAT pain control. it was amazing how a simple change like that could change my life. I am not sure what you dx is - but I learned the hard way that not all narcotics are good for all types of pain. Also, higher is not always better. Good luck.
Posted 7/26/2009 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
I have chronic low back pain (deep, sick never-ending ache) and mid-low back pain that gets more acute as the day goes on (more of a stabbing pain or as I think of it, very high pressure sensation between my vertebrae). I also have tremors (quite bad) that increase greatly with increased pain, exertion or in very cold temperatures, hence the Baclofen. The Baclofen has not really done much for me that I can tell but it does make me drowsy at times. For me, the Fentanyl is the worst medication for pain I have ever been on. It does not even really do that much when it is in peak, let alone when they wear off after 48 hours and I have to go another 24 before I can change a patch all the while in a great deal of pain. It would not be my choice of pain medication but it is the only one this Dr. will prescribe.

Skrape
Posted 7/26/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Skrape, I do hope that you will be able to find another doctor who will/can help you find better pain relief and soon!!! I am sorry that you are not having any more relief with your current meds than what you are. I wish you the best in your search for a new doctor.
Anice
Posted 7/26/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Skrape, I do hope that you will be able to find another doctor who will/can help you find better pain relief and soon!!! I am sorry that you are not having any more relief with your current meds than what you are. I wish you the best in your search for a new doctor.
Anice
Posted 7/26/2009 4:05 PM (GMT 0)

   Hey Skrape,

 

Good Morning! *huggs* It is good to see you again. I hope you are feeling a little bit better today.  :-)   I slept in this morning. Being a LAZY bones.

I am Sooo very glad you are looking for a new doctor. I really hope this time you can gain some ground on what it going on with your body. But, real quick?

deep, sick never-ending ache

You know, that sound like me... Ive got bone issues. In fact that sounds like me 4yrs ago before anything even showed up on X Ray. Keep pushing for help and dont give up!

*huggs*

dani

Posted 7/26/2009 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like the others have mentioned good ideas..now sort thru them and get yourself a better Doctor!
Hope you can get in soon and keep us posted...don"t give up on finding a good doctor, sometimes it can take a few tries
Hope you'll get a low pain day soon!
lots and lots of soft hugz..
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Skrape))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Posted 7/26/2009 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
I want to thank all of you for the encouragement and support. I will continue to be actively looking for a new Dr. and will keep you up to date on how things are going. I really appreciate all of the comments and suggestions you always give. After all, that is why I joined this family!


Skrape
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