pm dr?

I'm a bit confused...(what's new...lol) .is this PM a new one so this is your first appt.?

I would think that if this PM uses all modalities of pm treatment, including pain meds, then they will take over your medication prescriptions. But there are a few options...

They may not prescribe anything on the first visit.
Or they may give you post dated prescriptions for when the meds run out from the one your OS gave you.
Or they may decide on a different plan that doesn't include the same type of meds your OS gave you and choose different ones.

Many PMs will ask that you bring in your bottles of meds (even when you are seeing them from here on out) as it's a way to make sure you are taking them as prescribed (pill count). So just bring in those three prescriptions and any others you may have.

They also may give you a urine test on the first visit and then hold off on any prescriptions until the results come back.

I had asked previously but not sure if you saw the question...did you get a new MRI at this last visit with the OS? You say that you don't "want" surgery...but I wasn't clear whether a MRI was actually done and they see that surgery isn't actually needed.

Nerve blocks, other injections, PT, acupuncture, daily exercise plan, TENS unit are all things that this new PM may get you set up to do. I love my PM!! So I hope you find one that is great for you too!

I cant have an mri I have an interstim implanted for urinary retention. I had an xray done and brung in a copy of my ct/ myelogram reports.

Oh...thanks for sharing...when did you have the CT and myleogram done? I don't remember reading about that recently...

And was I correct in reading that this is your first time with a PM Dr.?

I think that is why I had asked on your last thread on the 8th if that had been ordered or done as usually the Orthopedic surgeon would order this as you just never know what is going on in the spine in that many years.

So don't be surprised if this new PM isn't a bit peeved at the Ortho for not doing this before sending you to him....

And the new PM will decide on his own what he wants to prescribe, if anything...they do not take pain med orders from the OS.....

And as you know from many of us on here who have had years and years of spine issues...sometimes surgery is very helpful for a lot of the pain..especially the nerve pain.

So, I just want you to be prepared that the PM may also feel the same way as the OS that they don't want to continue chronic pain mgmt. if there is a surgical way to help things. Even though there are a lot of us here with "failed" surgeries....there are a much higher percentage of those out there that are doing great!

My mom had lumbar surgery back in 1985 and she only started having pain again the last 8 years....

Sorry for asking as I don't remember you writing about it...but what other treatments have you had for your back besides the meds...Do you have a TENS unit or tried injections, PT, traction, etc?

KSD, just wanted to say that people with interstim can have MRIs done they just have to take special precautions in the scanning room and under the actual scan so you might want to check it out or the diagnostics centers near you and see who does them,they have come a long way with the scanners from the first ones and now they can use the standing one and get better results for people with implants and such.

Certainly worth checking into and you can also call medtronics and talk to a rep as they should know who does them in your area and what needs to be done for prep for the mri.

Vickie

NVR, just called medtronic they said with my type of unit I only can have mri of the brain thats it. I cant have mri of the spine as my interstim location is in my sacral area. whether it is stand up mri or lay down mri. I only can have ct with myelogram.

Thank you stray dog. I will let everyone know what I find out tommorrow.