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bvl goes to the doctor

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 2/6/2013 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! Great news for me, I hope. I have a doctors appointment for Thursday of this week!!!!

I am a relatively new member here with spondylolisthesis l-5 s-1, bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing, hypertension, and now sciatica. I am unemployed, due to the back, and have no imcome. I live in a hotel owned by friends.

Thanks to guidance from many caring people here I have finally tracked down an appointment. It is through the local hospital charity that told me they were no longer seeing new patients. Thanks to help here I went ahead and got on the wait list, which wasn't as long as I thought. I have no doubt that I will at least get hypertension meds, that I have been without for several days, but I have a question, again.

I need pain medication. My lower back is tolerable but my right leg has gone from pain to PAIN!!!! My left leg which was sometimes numb to some pain is now 100 % beyond the shadow of a doubt, PAIN!!! My question is how do I approach this physician without sounding like a druggie. I know that no magic wand is going to appear and the physician will say let's get another mri and let's go ahead and relieve some of your pain because I know you're suffering. Every thing will be alright.

I know this is not what's going to happen. How do I approach this best?? I already have clean socks and underwear ready. So, again, I am grateful for any assistance you guys can provide. Bless you all!!!
Posted 2/6/2013 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
So glad to hear that you have a Dr. appt!!! Do you know what type of Dr. it is you will be seeing?

It's really just about telling then where it hurts, how often, and what you do that makes it worse and what makes it better.

I don't ever recommend asking for any specific medication as this would send up a red flag to a Dr. you are just meeting.

There are some great nerve pain meds out there that can help with the type of pain you are having as many of us are on/have been on them for our spine issues.

There is Lyrica, Neurontin, or Cymbalta. You will most likely be put on Neurontin as this has an inexpensive generic named Gabapentin.

They may be able to prescribe some physical therapy for you so that you can learn some moves to do at home along with using different colored stretchy bands. As well as making sure they give you the go ahead to be walking each day as this is so important. Maybe even find a cheap YMCA to do some aqua therapy too!

The other option is an actual muscle relaxer like Flexeril, Robaxin or Skelaxin. I get 60 pills of Flexeril for only $8 so this lasts me a good few months.

You can also try and find a used TENS unit online which is helpful for people with spine issues as most of us have one and use it often!!!

So, it's more about you communicating what is going on physically and then letting them decide on what to prescribe.

As I've mentioned in other posts...it's about using as many modalities as possible to help with your pain.

Keep us posted!
Posted 2/6/2013 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
I would be honest about symptoms and pain level during the part of the appointment where you are giving your medical history-and list anything you used to take before you had a doc.



Then, and I know this doesn't work for everyone but here is what my initial I need pain meds conversation was like.



"Doc, (yes I call her that to her face), I am no longer allowed to take even one tylenol, I can't take NSAIDS PRN (drug interactions). But, after tolerating a sprained back with nothing I can't do that anymore. I need something to take for pain when I need it."

Doc, "Well, with your codeine intollerance this ought to be fun."

I laughed. She said

"Let's try tramadol, I'll start you with a lose dose."



Then when I called in to see if I could get a refill I was told there is a standing order in my file so I don't need to see or speak to a doc each time I need more. I can call in and talk to the nurse doing scripts that day and she gets it called in.



So, my advice is just ask. (but not for specific drugs)
Posted 2/6/2013 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
I usually say something like "Its gotten to the point where I have trouble doing xyz, and taking OTC stuff just doesnt cut it anymore, what do you suggest" and then when they ask if I've been on anything before/what ive been on, then I go into whats worked and what hasnt.

I always go into it asking for them to make the recommendations. Even if you know certain meds dont work for you, that can be addressed if the dr tries to put you on one of those meds.
Posted 2/6/2013 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Bvl, so glad to hear that you finally have a drs appt. Just be honest with the dr on how bad you feel. I wouldn't ask for any meds as I am sure this will be something he will take care of. From what you are describing that is going on with your legs it sounds like you have some nerve involvment. Narcotics will not have much effect on nerve pain. For nerve pain you would need some like Lyrica,Cymbalta, Neurotin or Amitriptiline to just name a few. I would think the dr will help you out.

Let us know how your appt goes. Take care...Susie
Posted 2/6/2013 7:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi bvl ans I'm so glad to see you post and really glad you got an appt. You have to be careful anymore how you approach any Dr about meds but one of the free low cost ones you have to be even more so.

They see the down and out of the world as well as well as folks like yourself. The have to serve alcoholics as well as addicts and may even have a no narcotics policy,many do.

They can however get you to someone who can as they have lists of specialists who work so many patients pro bono and this will get you some new scans done.

Like SB said narcotics don't work nerve pain. They can take care of that an your other meds.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Vickie
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