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Finally got the referral to a pain mgmt. Doc!

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Posted 4/1/2012 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
I finally got to meet with my Doc and am being referred to a pain mgmt. Doc. What should I expect on my 1st visit with him/her?
Posted 4/1/2012 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
That is hard to say, they are all different with their approach. My guess is you need to carry a copy of your records to let them know what is going on from the doctor's perspective. They will probably ask you how you rate your pain. If they are checking your fibromyalgia, they might to a tender point test. It is hard to say. I would write down things that are important to you to ask. And make sure you go over the whole list while you are there. Your concerns.

I hope that you like your new pain management doctor.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/2/2012 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Karen, for your insight into what I may expect during my 1st pain mgmt. appointment. Guess I'll have to wait and see as they havent even called to let me know they got the referral. A few more days, and I'll be calling them to check and see.
Posted 4/2/2012 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, it is good to stay on top of these things. Wires get crossed and sometimes we get forgotten. I hope all goes well and that you are feeling better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 4/3/2012 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Each time I go to my pain doc I'm given a diagram, front and back, of the body.  I'm to circle what hurts, and then rate it on a 1-10   I'm usually around a 4.

My pain guy is the one who finally gave me the dx. He understands fibro, and is more than willing to work with me.  And since I have other pain causing issues, like knees that need to be replaced, and a herniated disk, he helps me with all of that too.

He is a keeper for sure!!

Posted 4/3/2012 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Sometimes it takes time to get into pain management. My pain management manager has to read your records and she decides if they will accept you. Just because you have a referral always doesn't mean they will accept you. I would call in a few days, but usually it takes time for them to review it. At least you know the fax got to them. You will have several pages to fill out. Sometimes they will mail it to you ahead of time. Each Dr. Has its own paper work you feel out each month. You might have to do a drug screen also. Pain management services has contracts you sign. Read them very careful. You do one thing wrong that goes against that contract and they find out your fired from the clinic. Always be ready to do random drug screens also. If they find no drugs in your system after he prescribes them then it puts a red flag on your chart. They think you might be selling them. They have to be this way due to the DEA on them. Their monitored very carefully. Sometimes they like to do scans on you when they can't figure out the problem. Some of the clinics try to limit the narcotic use and try other alternatives. Some of our pain management have a floor just for physical therapy. I think I covered it all. Lol

Post Edited (ak angel) : 4/3/2012 12:17:28 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/3/2012 10:45 AM (GMT 0)
Barb, one thing you may want to check out before going to a new PM doctor is to find out if they do injections and write prescriptions. Some PM docs only do injections and if so I'd try to find another one.

Regarding the pain contract, this only applies if you are given scripts for narcotics. My PM prescribes me baclofen (muscle relaxer), tramadol (non-narcotic pain med) & gabapentin (nerve pain). I was on narcotics for over a year and had to do urine testing but I found that the strong narcotics weren't really helping my pain enough so I weaned off the narcotics, it took 3 months, but it went well. This is when I started the tramadol along with tylenol and it helped more.

Depending on how old your MRI's are they may want to order new ones. My PM requires new ones every two years if injections are necessary. With all the spinal surgeries you've required I'd guess that arthritis/bone spurs may be giving you problems. Also, google facet joints and see if this sounds like any of your issues.

Good Luck, it seems like once you've had back or neck surgeries the pain never really subsides. Both of mine helped with the radiating pain and numbness that the herniations were creating but the day to day pains never stopped.
Posted 4/4/2012 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
I heard from the scheduler at the Pain Mgmt. Doc's office - they called to try to set up an appointment. I was at work when they called, but Im going to make some time for a phone call back to her, so I can see what I need to bring to my appt, and when she is able to get me in. And, Im lucky in a way bc I have a friend who already goes to this Doc's office and they not only offer meds, but injections and PT there as well. I cannot wait until I know how far out they're scheduling. There may be some sort of help w/ the daily aches and pains Ive been having!
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