Question:
Well today i had my first appointment in the Pain Management Clinic at the
local County Hospital. Well after listening to all your stories of your pain
management Drs etc, i was expecting that this would be the person to "really"
listen to all my symptoms and would take care of managing my pain. Well what
the county hospitals idea of Pain Mangement is nothing more then a support
group with weekly meetings.
Now dont get me wrong, its nice to know that there is a place to go with
others struggling like i am, and i will probably get myself to the meetings,
but i was dissapointed is that it wasnt what i thought it was going to be. I
really had high hopes of seeing a Dr who's SOLE focus was my pain control.
but..
all isnt bad..
Answer:
I couldn't have said it better. I can't...no won't count the number of
docs, groups, alternative,etc that I have been through.
Joani, your note about the tears.... I always say look at the stars.
maybe that is because I don't sleep much. but your are right on. hang in
there Sherry. you can always find us.
IF so, there are many EXCELLENT articles on the internet that I have
found (most are on my computer that crashed) but that I have also sent
to Paininfonet (I can get you the address if you are interested) most of
them..... that would help EDUCATE HER/HIM on EXACTLY HOW TO PRESCRIBE
OPIOIDS.
It is a delicate balance to prescribe ENOUGH to relieve the pain and yet
deal with each and every side effect each individual has (from
constipation, breathing, itching, drowsiness, etc....BUT THESE CAN BE
TREATED or the dose changed or the drug changed to another one, etc. but
the doctor has to know HOW).
I actually converted my primary care doctor into prescribing opioids
taking over from my pain specialist (primary care doc is 7 minutes away
and the pain specialist about an hour) by printing out articles and
either bringing them with me at appointments or sending them.
I just printed out an excellent one. Spring Net The Nurse Practitioner
May 1997
Pharmacologic Approaches to Chronic Pain in the Older Adult
(even though it says older adult...the approaches apply to
everyone---like addressing the pain BEFORE it gets out of hand, etc.).
I get a highlighter and highlight the points that I want the doctor to
SEE. in these articles....
Yes, some doctors CAN be educated...but they don't have the time or
energy to go out surfing the internet or finding this information that
is rather new.....especially when they are primary care doctors as
opposed to doctors only treating pain......
My primary care doctor says I know more than he does and could write a
medical paper on pain!
So we are in the position IF WE WANT THE PAIN RELIEF WE HAVE TO EDUCATE
THE DOCTOR....sad but true.....
But if you get a good doctor, who listens to you, and who knows
you...they then know you are not "seeking" drugs for any other reason
than relieving pain and improving the FUNCTION in your life....
Always stress FUNCTION....what you want to do...go back to work, be a
spouse, be a mother/father, clean house, go shopping, etc....and not
that you want pills to relieve the pain.....
