Wow, what a concept...a psychologist in a pain management clinic. Now that would be nice to find. I know UC Davis claims to have this set up, but when I went to see a doctor there I met with one who told me I had lost my rights to pain management because I am a recovering alcoholic..HA! (Sober since 1998) What is up with that? After three visits the US Davis doc gave me the phone number for a gentleman who works with recovering addicts. I phoned him as instructed, found out what he really does, we talked at length, and he suggested I change doctors because I sure didn't sound like I needed his assistance.

The pain comes from cummulative trauma to my neck, followed by a specific incident requiring surigical intervention at C5-6 (discectomy with fusion and insertion of titanium plate). I was improving wonderfully, then was rear ended in a MVA while at a stop light. A full sized pick up truck hit me while going in excess of 30 mph. My 1 yr old car was totaled and 3 other vehicles were damaged. Since then the symptoms of nerve damage and/or pinching have come back as before the surgery. I have radiating pain from bilateral shoulders to bilateral fingertips. It's not bad if I don't use my hands or arms for anything...but you can imagine how that might go. I am on SSDI due to this and major depression/social anxiety with agoraphobia. I have a service dog which helps keep me in contact with the world and not hide out in my house at all times. (I did stay home for 3 years after the MVA, leaving only if my husband accompanied me.)

I really appreciate the information that opiates do not cause depression. I am on Kadian XR, Dilaudid, Celebrex, Soma, Effexor XR and klonipin. I see my psychiatrist today and think I will ask more questions about additional treatment for the depression since it has been so bad for the last 4 years. You've given me enough information that I now feel a bit more empowered to push the psychiatrist a bit for information. I've been with him since 1998 and really don't want to replace him, but don't have much of a choice if he is not going to treat my increased symptoms.

Still...if there is anyone who lives in No Cal who knows of a pain management clinic that also treats depression, it would be helpful.

Thanks,
Dawn