PAIN MANAGEMENT---what a joke!

[verwon]

I went to my appointment and the doctor told me if I was looking for help with pain then "you are knocking at the wrong door!"

They don't do that kind of thing there, they only do steroid shots for mostly post-surgery patients. Then he said the shot wouldn't help my pain but asked if I wanted one anyway??!??!??

We had driven up to DuBois once before and were told that the doc wasn't available that day to decide if I needed physical therapy or pain help so they had to reschedule my appointment.

My docs office had scheduled the appointment and specifically told them it was for back pain, when I went in they even had a spinal block written on my records which I told them I didn't agree too and didn't want. Then they turn around and tell me that they don't do anything for pain there.

I just don't get it, why call themselves "Pain Management" if they do not provide these services?? I left the place in tears and after Andy calmed me down I called my doc and ended up driving another 45minutes to their office for an appointment to get something for the pain.

[mayfly]

((((((((((((verwon))))))))) I am so so sorry. I can't imagine how that must have felt. I will be praying chicka.

[verwon]

Thank you so much, prayers are much appreciated.

I am going back to the specialist in Pittsburgh next week to see if he has any suggestions since there is no one in my area who has experience with my spinal condition so they are afraid to touch it.

Thankfully the pain has eased off for now so I am doing pretty good and have been able to get some stuff done around here!

[mayfly]

Back Pain is one of the worst pains there is. I have had it few and far between, but bad enough to really sympathize when someone has a permanent condition. I was just praying that God would give the docs wisdom. I hope the new doctors can help you better.

[bestmidwest]

verwon-I am sorry they are not taking care of you the way they should. Pain management is an integral part of health care and especially when you are in agony like that I can't believe it.

I sure will keep you in my prayers that the docs have the wisdom to not just stop the pain but to get to the heart of the problem and make it better.

[verwon]

Well we already know the root of my problem and we know it really can't be fixed, I will more than likely live with pain for the rest of my life.

My doc is sending me back to the specialist to see what he recommends.


Guess what? The other day the hospital sent me an opinion survey to fill out about their pain management clinic!! I am going to have fun with this!

[Mouse7088]

Three words...Horny Goat's Weed. I honest to God thought I'd have to live with the pain as well...I mean I had for all of my adult life (car accident) as it was. I took this stuff for a few months..I tapered off to just once a day and then a few times a week...then nothing. I ONLY have pain now when I have done strenuous work. Before...well, most mornings I CRAWLED to the bathroom. realize it's not marketed FOR back pain, but I know how it worked for me...maybe it will do the same for someone else...BTW, I was put of numerous meds for my back (for pain and to try & relax the muscles) and all they ever did was make me goofy.

[mayfly]

I have never heard of that, outside of a loser boyfriend! What is it?

[YorkieLover]

Originally Posted by mayfly

I have never heard of that, outside of a loser boyfriend! What is it?

Hahahaha! That's a good one. I believe Horny Goat's Weed is an herb, available in pill form. I had not heard it helps pain, but I'm going to tell my DH about it for his chronic back pain. Thanks for the tip, Mouse!!!

[verwon]

Thanks for the tip Mouse, I am going to have to go pick some up now. I had never heard of that but am willing to try anything.

They gave me a med that was worse than goofy! LOL! It was a pain patch, 80times stronger than morphine. I used one and learned my lesson. I was sick and dizzy for three days and also suffered withdrawal after I took the stupid thing off.

[momof3girls]

I don't know what happened to you or exactly what is wrong, but have you tried a chiropractor? After we moved my back wouldn't stop hurting so I started going to a chiropractor and it has worked miracles. I was going 3 days a week and now go once a week or if I get hurting. I also do some physical thearapy with them. Just getting the adjustments feels wonderful.

[rleer]

I've been through this myself--won't go into the horror stories. Have you tried a TENS unit? Seen a ostopath? Read "Pain Free" by Peter Egoscoe (sp?) I almost jumped into traffic and off a bridge I was in so much pain and not getting real help with it after a work injury. All the above things helped to a degree, but the pain is here to stay, but these things has lessened the intesity. All the meds ever did was bring on vertigo, they were never strong enough to do anything for the pain. Make a goal for yourself and get yourself to a rehab specialist. And treat yourself to a massage--your due one after what you've gone through. Hang in there you will find a way.

[rleer]

Forgot to add: magnets, a new bed--select comfort air beds, ice packs, thermacare and ben gay patches. water exercises--movement therapy.

[YorkieLover]

Oh, yes ... DH had very good back pain relief while he was going to an accupuncturist, and the relief lasted for quite a while. Also, we got a Select Comfort (Sleep Number) bed, and we are both sleeping better, and it seems to be easier on DH's back (but they are spendy).

[verwon]

Well unfortunately with my spinal condition I can't go to chiropractors and rehabs because most have no clue how to handle my problem. I have a severe scoliosis, my spine is shaped like an S.

Most docs don't want to touch it since they have no idea what they are doing as scoliosis of this severity is very rare in an adult. Most condtions like this are fixed surgically in childhood.

If I go to rehab or a chiro I run the risk of their inadvertently making it worse while trying to help!

For instance I have a slipped disc in the lower lumbar spine, what a rehab specialist may do to align it for a normal person's spine might only throw it further out for me since my spine is very far from normal.