found another doc for another opinion

I finally got so frustrated with the amount of pain I was having these past two weeks that I posted on Facebook that I needed help finding a pain doctor. Now I know this is a risky business but of all people , my sister in law called and got me in to see a pain doc this coming wednesday to see a doc a a hospital nearby thaaat she works at as a plebotomist.. So quickly my head is spinning. I quess it helps to have connections. I had finally found another second opinion but have been waiting for well over 2 months to get in and still have to wait until March to see her. I put out the plea to find one on friday and they called back within 20 minutes saying they had a cancellation on monday.Unfortunately I must see my current doc monday so they( the new doc) squeezed me in for wednesday. I just hope something good happens . It would be nice to not feel like I was going to "get in trouble" or talked down to at a doctors appointment. I will tell my current do I am going for another opinion, after all he did tell me I should go to Johns Hopkins. I don't want him to think I am doing anything behind his back in case this doesn't work out but I am keeping my fingers crossed that something good will come out of these appointment with these two new doctors and hopefully one of them will be the change I think I need.

keep your fingers crossed for me

catahoula

Good luck Catahoula, it would be awesome if this new one could help you out. Let us know how it goes.

Catahoula,
That is good news! Like everyone, I wish you the best of luck with this new doc - it likely won't hurt that you have a connection he knows.

Take care,

PaLady

Hi Cathahoula,

I hope you have luck with this new Dr. I can certainly attest after years of bad one's...my last Neurosurgeon and Pain Mgmt. Dr. are the most wonderful and caring men I know! I have actually become friends with my PM outside of our appts. so I have learned so many things from 'their' side too.

So..keep faith that there are great Dr.'s out there that truly want to help you live the best life with our chronic pain..There are dozens and dozens of modalities which I try to take advantage of every single one to deal with my pain..

A good PM along with our Pharmacist..a therapist, possibly surgeon, family and friends are all part of our 'team' and crucial to our chronic pain..

I will send some prayers your way that this will be the one for you! It sounds like you are handling it well with a possible transition...for me..I believe that total honesty with each Dr. about your intentions..(ie getting another opinion) is the way to go..

Take care and keep us posted..

well I saw this new doc for a second opinion or perhaps to change pain docs to him yesterday.  I called the day before to confirm my appointment. I didn't hear back until 2 hours before my appointment with a call saying that I wasn't on the schedule..( not a good sign) but they could squeeze me in.  The appointment had been set for 1, then they told me to come at 1:15, then 12:45. I arrived at 12:30 so I could regester and to be sure I was on time. After waiting in the hospital waiting area for 1/2 and hour I was taken to the exam room where i waited for an hour before the doc came in. He introduced himself and gave me all of his degrees and awards and scholorships. He then asked me  what was wrong with me. I told him what the  symptoms were and what the diagnosis was to which he replied that it was all wrong. I explained that I had the suprorbital nerve stimulator. He stated ' Well you won't get anything fancy like that here" and then asked me what it was and could i show him where it was and where the battery was etc, pretty much passing judgement on it without knowing anything about it. I explained that I hadn't come to get scripts but rather to tell him where we ( my current doc and I) were at in treatment, what we had tried, and where we were at and that we've pretty much hit a wall  and asked how he would go about treating this. He stated that he would have me go swimming and maybe get motivated to get a job, maybe join a support group. He said there were lots of docs at the local hospitals and that I didn't need to be driving all the way downtown( my drive to the teaching hospital is a four hour round trip). I told him that I did indeed have a scheduled other appointment with another doc at a local hospital next week and when i told him who it was he said "oh shes' going to what to stick things in you, thats her thing". Beside swimming and  he would try 2 nerve blocks ( which I had told him I had already had with disasterous results) and that I was "invited" to come back, that I was "one of us", that "we are in it for the long haul with you" and I should go and get all my office notes from my current doc and the neurologist I saw 5 years ago.

so, my dear friends,do I stay with the doctor who has been treating me for 5 years but has no new ideas of where to go but seems to keep plugging away(even though I think this frustrates me because I want him to cure something that perhaps can not be cured) or do I take of the invitation of this new doc and go swimming OR do I go see this other doc next week to see what kind of things she will want to "stick me " with?

decisions decisions

can't someone just make the pain go away?

cat(ahoula)

Hi Catahoula ~
Reading your story it hits home so closely. Why is it that all doctors look at us and treat us so poorly? For once, I wish they could live in our shoes for a 24 hour period and then see how they feel! I know how frustrating this whole circle of ridiculousness can be.......IMHO: you should follow your gut and go with the doctor or situation you feel most confident can help you. Please keep us posted and take care of YOU!
Huuuggggsss!

 

   Dear Cata,

 

 

       Good morning *hugg* it is good to hear from you. I do hope you find a few moments to relax today. I know you have had a busy last few weeks and must be very tired of it all.

 

       I dont have much to add that hasnt already been said... But! I do think you should wait, if you can, till you see the other "perspective" doctor before making you decision. I am not so sure this new guy sounds like the right type of doctor for you. Also, you will want to keep your options open so you can fully assess all three possibilities.

 

      Stay strong! You are in our hearts here.

 

    

 

*warm huggs*

     dani

Cata I am with you on HIPPA anf firmly believe in it. I doubt very seriously the "stick dr" ever "sticks" a patient on the first visit, lol. It is almost as if this guy was trying to throw a scare in you, shame on him and his unprofessional manners. This guy is a real cad.

At least you still have an option or two and nothing is in blood and you have nothing to lose by seeing the other dr next week. I hope you gain a lot.