Cathie,
Its also my good fortune to have a PCP that works with me
on my meds & changes.
My neuro is consulted by her (by email or phone) & I see him
only if there are changes in my condition to warrant it.
If too much time goes by ( more than a year and a half, or 2)
I schedule a general follow-up with him.
I haven't had to see him in more than a year, tho.
Its my PCP who is my rock and foundation to my PN treatment,
as well as my general health..

I have a ? the patch did your pain management doc prescribed this or another doc. I have a few apts set up and I saw on u of m no opiates or long term medication do they do. Is that typical? On ucla they did say meds but not sure if they just mean like Lyrica. When I was at OH the pain doc there didn't offer me any pain meds well other then doxepin but that is an anti depressent but the catheter he said may have a small dose of vicadin I think in it. I'm trying to find the right pain management place for me but to start at a less invasive level then the catheter at oh or why I was refered to u of m but I am confused if some of the docs just do that and then who does the meds if that is your gp or neuro or really it depends. Do only some doc too in pain management do the nerve blocks?I just don't get why the OH doc just said the tunneled epidural catheter but nothing else and sent me home with doxepin. Also if the catheter is so great and has no side effects barely why more people don't get it.
Dan I read about the patch but wonder why no one suggested it for me doc wise. I know they have been trying to be very low with my meds. Did you have any side effects at first? I'm wondering if it would be too strong and that is why or because its an opiate? Thanks

IDEALLY be prescribed by one major doctor - the one you see the most often is best. This way should you need any additional meds [say in the case of a broken foot] the immediate prescribing doc KNOWS who is in control of all your primary pain needs and can contact your main pain med doc if they have any concerns about those who are ubiquitous pain-med seekers. This way, one key doc can keep track [as must you!] of what works and doesn't and hopefully will keep up to date on new meds and methods to keep the pain at a lower HUMMM than it currently is.
Strangely, it is my neuro who prescribes the majority of my pain meds. I see that doc and one more often than my GP and other docs.
I would think in most cases that it would be either the neurologist or pain medicine doc who does the prescribing....but in other cases, if your GP is playing an agressive or active role in your care, and they are physically more accessable, there is absolutely no reason not to let the GP be the prescriber.
All that is important is a doc who knows you and your pain needs and one who is willing to work to help you as best they can.
hope this helps? - j

I agree with dahlek about one doc being in control of your pain meds. Mine happens to be a Internist and he is my Primary Care Physician (PCP). I see him for everything but if it becomes necessary for me to see a specialist then he arranges it - everything is coordinated thru/by my PCP. For me this works very well.

Thanks guys. I just need to find a good doc and you would think of all the ones I have seen in and out of state I would have one by now. I know were all complex but I feel with my age and past they just ship me to the next doc. I just wish I could find one that would be willing to go out of the box and put in the extra time. Prey for me this new doc on Tues for pain management will be my angel of pain relief. Thanks.

((((((Brian))))))

For sure!!!!! about the regeneration!

Well i have not had any Tramadol for about a week now and everything is still great.
The only small irritation now is that my feet get cold at night, feels strange actually, it is cold at night over here but nice weather during the day, its been so long since i felt the cold in my feet, but nothing a pair of socks won't fix, i am that used to walking bare footed all the time, it really feels weird to have to put socks on.

Thanks everyone for all your support and well wishes.
Brian

What totally great news!

I have to keep my feet warm, too.

Even on a warm day, if I have a fan on, I have to keep my feet under something, a sheet if not a quilt when I don't have shoes on.

But hey, that's doable.

Thankyou ConsiderThis

But isn't it ever exciting?

It was over ten years ago when I first found out about my low B12, and at that time the word was sort of that the nerve damage would be permanent.

The neurologist I went to thought I could have improvement for two years, which was a lot longer than general practioners I saw at a clinic had said.

(I just wish I could stop thinking about this court stuff and go to sleep. I was almost asleep three times, and then all of a sudden the court stuff would be in my mind and I'd be wide awake again.)

Your messages are such a high, though, I'm happy to read them.