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Should I contact my Pain management doctor?

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 5/14/2013 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I posted a really long post previously about my situation. I was severely injured 3 years ago at work. I have an SI joint disfunction, a badly bulging disc in L5 with nerve root inpingments, nerve damage in both leg, hip pain on both sides as well as in my pelvic region, migraines, blurred vision as well as very bad weakness and
Numbness in my legs. I have been through just
about every pain management procedure you can imagine. So many that I have actually developed cushions syndrome from a
Cortisone overload in my body. I am building up a tolerance to my pain medication and i am scared to talk to the doctor about it. I have terrible anxiety and even the though of it makes me sick. I don't want to be judged or looked down upon because I need medicene to deal with all the pain I'm in. When I calm myself down and think rationally about it, I realize I am being ridiculous, but when I am in the moment at my appointments I get very nervous and don't communicate with the doctor about my true level of pain I suffer in every day as well as the depression it is causing me to have. I just feel like my workers comp doctors are my enemies and that they aren't looking out for my best interest, which I know sounds stupid but I've put my trust in so many different doctors that they have sent me to the last 3 years and none of them have made me better, instead they stuck me with so many steroid shots that I am now stuck with this horrible cushions syndrome that makes me so sick. I am however seeing a new pain management doctor that they set me up with after I demanded they change my doctor and I like him. Do you think it will hurt me or effect my case if I make an appt to talk to him about my medication as well as the depression and insomnia I am experiencing? I just want results, I am young and by no means want to be stuck like this forever :(, the thought of that is terrifying to me. I am taking Percocet 10/325 four times daily as needed for pain which I have been taking for about 3 years now . After reading some other posts and other people's situations I don't really think I take that high of a dose and it seems like there are many other things I can discuss changing too with my doctor. Any guidance would be so greatly appreciated. Thank you
Posted 5/14/2013 7:32 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Liza.

I'm not sure why you think discussing medication changes,depression and insomnia would hurt your case.

The depression is most likely caused by the case,your loss of job,living on part of your regular earnings and the pain issues due to the injury. Insomnia, same thing.

As for needing a increase or change in Med altogether? I'm surprised that it hasn't been needed before. I think not discussing all these things with your Dr is denying him the facts he needs to treat you properly.

By all means I would try to get an appointment sooner. What could happen if you increase your Med to more then prescribed? You definitely will run out early and what if he just so happened to test you at your regular appointment?

Your entire case could be in jeopardy if they label you as abusing or diverting meds. Drs like to be informed of things before not after the fact.

I battled Workers Comp for years and if it taught me anything it was playing by the rules and any deviation just opened up another battle field.

Good luck
Posted 5/14/2013 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Liza, why not write down on a piece of paper what is going on with you. Some people do freeze up when they see dr. He should understand this because you are not alone here. If you don't tell him then he cannot help you. He will assume that you are doing fine.

You really need to let him know your pain is not under control and ask him what he can do to help you out. That will not make you look like a drug seeker either.

Take care......Susie
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