I wrote questions down, and looked at the site on how to talk to your pain doctor. All will help me in talking to this pain doctor. The conditions I have are permanent. I am also at risk for stress fractures in my neck. The stress from the bracket is hurting the verterbre above and below. The ankles have no hope except for ankle relacement, which I don't qualify for. If my ankle had been crushed, I would have been accepted. Because this is degenerative in nature they won't do it. I think it also has to do with medicare/medicaid. My appt.isn't this month, it is the 13th of next month. Wrong month written down. I still have a long wait, and alot of time to write down what I need to ask. Thanks for your response. ginnie