Posted 2/17/2011 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
I've gone to see quite a few -- both the "interventional pain management" docs and the ones who focus just on meds.
I've hated most of the IPM's. These docs typically charge insane amounts for an in-office injection ($600+) for a quick 3 minute visit. But the two orthopedic surgeons who did fluoroscopic injections (though only one worked), seemed far more competent (though costly due to that the procedures were done in hospital). Another orthopedic surgeon I saw for a consult (who also does med. PM), was hasty in her decisions, didn't give me a chance to ask questions, rushed me out after telling me to set up an appointment for some injections. I didn't trust her and didn't go back.
Of the neurologists who I've seen (though not for PM directly), both were very knowledgeable, spent a fair amount of time with me, and allowed me to ask questions.
I've seen a few D.O.'s (which are common in the Mid-West). All of them have been idiots and/or slimy.
My prior PM (for meds) -- an internist, was an old angry man whose waiting room is filled with posters advocating tort reform (I suspect he's been sued quite a lot). He was curt, wouldn't give me a chance to discuss my own views, a take-it-or-leave-it guy.
I then switched to another PM, also an internist. He was actually trained by the former doc, but his manner is much better. He seems to appreciate the care that I take in exploring my options and I feel like with him we're cooperatively working out what is best for me.
I've never seen an anesthesiologist or psychiatrist for PM, though I know that there are some.
Ultimately, though, I think that personalities will vary widely among PM's as among any group of humans. When we're looking at drug maintenance especially, I think the key is to find someone who is non-dogmatic, flexible to a patient's needs, and is sufficiently interested in what he's doing to stay current on the research.