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07-01-2012, 01:24 AM | #31 | |||
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Junior Member
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For whatever reason there seem to be a lot of doctors that just don't listen well to their patients. I think doctors need to be more attuned to what we (the patients) go through. I've been dealing with chronic pain for 6 years now. I went through ACDF surgery this past December after being told that it would 'fix' my pain. Well it didn't and know I have even more problems than I had before. I feel like I've been jumping through hoops for years now trying to get relief and it's just not happening. I've done chiropractic, P.T., acupuncture, etc. etc. but I still have horrible muscles spasms in my neck and shoulders. My neurologist volunteered to take over my pain management from the surgeon who did my ACDF. The problem is he doesn't listen to me (or believe me) when I tell him how significant my pain still is. He is forcing me to cut my pain medication down suddenly by 2/3 of what I am used to taking. I tried to tell him that's too much of a reduction, at once but he won't listen. Actually hung up the phone while I was still talking to him. So now here I sit still in pain and feeling ill from medication withdrawal too due to having my dosage being cut so drastically at once. I want to find another doctor but don't know where to begin. How do I find someone who will listen to me?
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07-01-2012, 09:31 AM | #32 | ||
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Elder
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I am so sorry that your doctor will not listen. Try a physiosist. They can and do treat for pain. My doctor I researched along with four others. Believe me I interviewed them, not them interview me. My quality of life is at stake, and I needed pain meds. just like you do. She was very attentive right from the start. I do get pain control. In fact, she gave more than what I am using. I have the choice if I want to take extra or not. Please try this kind of physician, and start interviewing, psysiosist, or a pain specialist. Good doctors are around if you look. Bring your meds with you to appts. and a chart if you can to document all your symptoms. I hope you find the help you need. I wish you all the best. Let me know what happens. ginnie
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07-01-2012, 10:21 AM | #33 | ||
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Junior Member
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I agree that a doctor has to have the ability to LISTEN & communicate. I don't care how good a doctor maybe if he lacks the ability to listen and communicate then I move on. A doctor not only needs to be a good doctor but one who communicates. I don't want to walk out of an office visit still feeling like I have a million questions and no answer. I understand they have busy schedules but we as patients need reassurance as well as to what is going on with our health.
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07-01-2012, 12:48 PM | #34 | |||
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Junior Member
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I am going to a walk-in clinic today that a friend recommended. I'm hoping that they will address my issue short term and refer me to someone who can help for longer term care. |
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07-01-2012, 12:55 PM | #35 | |||
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Junior Member
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Quote:
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07-01-2012, 03:21 PM | #36 | |||
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Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
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Quote:
That could be construed as "doctor shopping". The preferred way is to ask for a referral for/to Pain Management (PM), keeping your other doctors in the loop ahead of time, and then seek out a PM specialist. N.B. I think the specialty Ginnie means is physiatrist http://www.aapmr.org/patients/aboutp...ysiatrist.aspx or google: physiatrist Good pain management doctors can come from other areas of medicine too. You'll find that some PM doctors do/will not prescribe opioid pain medications; this is sometimes referred to as Interventional Pain Management http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post888177-23.html The above link also has some information on how to find a good pain management clinic/doctor for you. Doc
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Dr. Zachary Smith Oh, the pain... THE PAIN... Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE. All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | ger715 (08-09-2012) |
07-01-2012, 11:31 PM | #37 | |||
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Junior Member
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Dr. Smith,
If the intent is to achieve long term resolution of the problem, it shouldn't be construed as 'dr shopping'. Also, why should a patient have to suffer in the interim because a physician refuses to listen to them? I told my doctor that the new medication he prescribed was not working on my pain and he ignored my statement telling me "I would be fine". Well I'm not fine. That's why I'm looking for a new doctor. |
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07-02-2012, 07:07 AM | #38 | |||
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Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
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If you have a physician who does not listen and hangs up the phone on you, then IMO, you don't have the right doctor for you, and you should find another. Going to a walk-in clinic cold and asking for pain meds (regardless of whether you're asking for a referral to another doctor) is, IMO not the way to do this. A better way, IMO, is to explain the situation to your PCP (who is the one to coordinate all other care) what is going on and request a referral from him/her for pain management, AND another neurologist -- this one isn't working out. Your PCP should be familiar with all of your records and medical history, and therefore, be the one to address your issue short term and refer you to someone who can help for longer term care. Google: how to find a good pain management doctor Did you go to the clinic, and if so, what happened? Doc
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Dr. Zachary Smith Oh, the pain... THE PAIN... Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE. All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor. |
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07-04-2012, 12:33 AM | #39 | |||
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Junior Member
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I went to a new primary care physician and I really lucked out because this new doctor took a lot of time to answer my questions and discuss my concerns. I also received a referral to pain management. I feel that this new doctor is going to continue to provide much better care than I have been receiving. He suggested that I take my MRI's to the pain mgmt doc and talk with them about radiographic neural abrasion as a treatment option. He thought it may be a better solution for the ongoing problem with my muscle spasms/pain. I still have a ways to go in terms of finding a migraine prophylactic med that works and has tolerable side effects. I ended up stopping the lyrica because the drowsiness/brain fog was causing too much interference with my ability to focus on my work during the day. I don't have all the answers yet but at least I feel I can trust my PCP to listen to me and be accessible when questions/concerns arise. |
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"Thanks for this!" says: | Dr. Smith (07-04-2012) |
07-04-2012, 07:04 AM | #40 | |||
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Senior Member (**Dr Smith is named after a character from Lost in Space, not a medical doctor)
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That sounds much better; I hope things work out!
I got lucky with my PCP too; he has 20+ yrs in PM, communicates well (both ways), and has been very open to my ideas/input. He acknowledges that patients often know their own bodies, and more about their conditions, than the doctors that treat them. Assembling the right interdisciplinary team is paramount for pain patients, and the right PCP is the cornerstone/quarterback of the medical branch (shown in blue) of that team. The procedure suggested by your new PCP is also known as Radiofrequency (or RF) ablation and sometimes as facet rhizotomy. I found these other links describing it as well: http://www.aradiology.com/procedures...ion/index.html http://www.eorthopod.com/content/rad...uency-ablation From these four links (and where they may lead, along with Google) you should be able to glean enough information to be able to talk to your doctors about this procedure, and how it relates to your individual situation, in order to be able to make an informed decision. We're in the same boat as far as finding a good migraine prophylactic. After enough years, I've pretty much given up, and continue to fight the battles w/ ins. for enough abortives. I have gotten some relief with some PT exercises and changes in diet & lifestyle -- enough to reduce my frequency to below chronic (<15/month). Your new PCP should be able to help you with referrals, but I've found I still have to do my own homework in finding the specialists I want to see (PCPs recommendations didn't always work out -- not his fault), and then my PCP will give me the referral to see them. It's a lot of work, but again, having the right team of professionals in your corner makes a HUGE difference in the care you get. Best Wishes, Doc
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Dr. Zachary Smith Oh, the pain... THE PAIN... Dr. Smith is NOT a medical doctor. He was a character from LOST IN SPACE. All opinions expressed are my own. For medical advice/opinion, consult your doctor. |
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