Pain Management Doctor

[blue]

Well, at 9:45 am today, is my first appointment with the pain management doctor! I hope she is open to the nerve blocks.........

[sleepyangel30]

wish you luck

[peachycajun]

Good Luck Blue....

Wishing you the best and sending prayers up for you

danielle

[ICLori]

Wishing you luck! Do nerve blocks every work? I asked about that and it seemed like I only got replies saying "didn't work for me, made me worse" and stuff like that...

Blessings, Lori

[Hangin' Tough]

Blue,
We all keep our fingers crossed that you get some relief. Even a little is better than none. Let us know what happens.

Steve

[Katrina]

Blue, by now you have seen the pain management doc, I truly hope you found it to be a hopeful and encouraging experience and that your comfortable with this doc. Wishing you all the luck and care!

:kiss::kiss::kiss:

[Sarojini]

I hope it went well for you, Blue.... :)

Please let us know how you are doing.

[SharonA]

How did it go, blue? Hope you are doing okay. :kissing:

[ICLori]

Hope the appointment went well for you and you are in good spirits!

Blessings, Lori

[creatingkarma]

Hope everything went ok today. Please let us know how you are & how your appointment went.

[Dixiefireball]

wishing you well please let us know how you are.

[blue]

Hello, everyone, thank you guys for being concerned.

I went to the Doctor, I like her, she's seems really nice. She prescribed a patch for pain, to be changed every three days. Also, she is going to take over prescribing my Atarax, Imipramine, and Hydrocodone. I signed a pain contract also. The question was brought up before about urine testing. My contract did read that at some point they have the option to request a urine sample. I'm just fine with that. There is another medicine that she wants to try that slows down the firing of the nerves. She just didn't want to try them at the same time. I go back to her next month so we will see.

I asked about the nerve blocks, and she said it's something we can consider, we just didn't get into any deep conversation about it. Also, I told her that I had a T.E.N.S. machine, and she said good. I wanted to ask her exactly what her suggestions were for using it.

She said the way I described my pain, it didn't seem as bad as some IC'rs. Now, I went in telling her about using Heat, and diet, and taking about 1 hydrocodone a day. I think she misunderstood me. I didn't mean to minimize my condition. I just wanted her to understand, that I use these methods FIRST! So, I'm going to make a list for next time.

I was a little uncomfortable, because another doctor was observing, and the nurse was there. So, there were four of us in the room. The nurse took notes for the doctor, and the other Doctor, I don't know why he was there.

Overall, I was happy about how the appointment went. I just hope I get to address other issues in the next appointment...

Oh, I was reading the paperwork for the patch and it says not to drive. This could be a problem. I suppose that I should ask my husband if he could change his hours a little bit, so that he can drive me back and forth. That will only work while he's in town. When he's out of town, I'll be in trouble!

[donutgirl]

Glad things went well for you, Blue. I'm sure the "extras" in the room distracted you somewhat. Be sure and take your list with you next time. How often will you go? Keep us informed.

DIANE

[Hangin' Tough]

Blue,
It sounds like your PM doc might be a good one. I have gotten to where I always make a list and take it with me. My PM doc says he feels like I am interviewing him. He always jokes about the list, but it is very effective. I like to talk and can get sidetracked very easily. The list keeps you focused, and keeps you from forgetting something important. Keep your chin up.

Steve

[ICLori]

Blue, I'm glad the appointment went well. I am hoping that the pain patch will keep you comfortable 24/7 without bad side effects, and if there is some breakthrough pain sometimes, I hope that you will have enough hydrocodone to help.

Steve, don't know if you will see this question, but could you share any tips for a list, for those of us going to pain management docs? I have my first appointment this Tuesday, and so far I've printed out some info on IC (saying it's equivalent to end stage cancer pain and that many people end up needing narcotics 24/7 because the therapies aren't uniformly effective) and of course my records are in order saying I have a pain level generally during the day of a 6 and at night 7-8. (Is that high enough to "qualify" for pain relief? Of course the doc only wrote down "6" which I'm afraid isn't high enough, they may say "take an aspirin."

I also will have a list of meds I have tried that have failed me. And what meds I am allergic to (morphine, codeine) and what HAS worked (Percocet).

I have written a page-long narrative about how IC pain has negatively affected my life and what limits it has imposed on me.

Is there anything else I need to do to be prepared for my pain management appointment?

Thank you,
Lori

[Krowe5656]

:) Blue :)

!!!Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you and so relieved!! i was praying for you blue! sounds like you did a great job w/the pain doc. try not to fret over what you feel you left out and know you'll be able to speak with her again. a list is a great idea.
I have been on the pain patch for years and years now. when i 1st started using it i got very sick. i threw up and felt very tired. however, after about a week it didn't effect me at all. i have no problem driving at all and it never makes me sick. i just have to give my body time to adjust. i use two every 48hrs. studies have found that some people get reliefe for 2 days, 3 days and some even 3-4 days. seems to depend on the person. it's a wonderful medication for those who tolerate it well. please allow yourself some time to adjust. took me about a week could take you less or longer. take care blue and thanx for letting us know how things went for you! :woohoo: Lv. Kara

[blue]

Well, Friday afternoon around 2:00 I applied the patch. When I woke up Saturday morning, I had a bad headache, I started throwing up, and threw up all day. The problem is, I have migrains, I couldn't tell if I was having a migrain, or if it was a reaction to the patch. About 7PM on Saturday night, my husband pulled the patch off. Well, this morning I was feeling much better, a little weak, but better. So, I put the patch back on to see if it would make me sick. I put it on around 9:30 am Sunday morning. So far, so good! Thank goodness, I only felt my bladder once while wearing the patch. I've been wearing the patch for about 14 or 15 hours, and I'm not sick. I think I was having a regular old migrain.

By the way, you guys are wonderful! Thank you for the prayers.........

[kelly McC]

Hope the patch continues to work for you . Sorry about your migrains they are terrible. Hope your feeling better and thanks for sharing your story. I am nervous about going to a clinic and it help to know others have good experiences.
Huggs and prayers,
Kelly

[blue]

When do you go to the clinic?

[Krowe5656]

Blue:
i have terrible migraines too. they can put me down for three days or more at times. i get them very often. i tried all sorts of meds but so far the maxalt which melts in your mouth seems to help the most along w/advil. when i started the patch i do recall headaches or on the boarder of a migraine but it passed after a while. i pray the patch will continue to help you with little to no side effects! wishing you all the best! please let us know how you continue to do? take care. Lv. Kara

[lady]

Hi everyone, Just have a guestion. My uro. wants me to go see a pain management doctor and i don't know any good ones here in Florida, i live in St.Petersburg, and i am willing to go as far as Clearwater, Fla. So if anyone out there that lives in this area and knows of some please let me know.
Thank you and i hope and pray everyone has a pain free Holidays!
Shirley