Help. Doctors disagreeing. Hand Pain. Etc.
 

This is a continuation of the thread I started on the new members introductions forum. It is not letting me post a link to it, but it's called "Hey everyone. Doctors disagreeing. Need help."


Hope anyone can help with insight, or personal stories, or anything. I am really stressed by my 2 doctors disagreeing about what goes into my body, and I'm not sure I'm trusting this new doctor.


Thanks everyone.

I can relate to doctors disagreeing. I went to a pain doctor who wanted me to do a procedure. I went for another opinion and that doctor was against the procedure suggested and offered a different approach. So then I went for a 3rd and got another suggestion. Talk about being lost. I had to research myself about what was suggested and make the best informed choice I could. Also ask the doctors a lot of questions
Did you state to both doctors how you are getting conflicting feedback and are confused? Is there any proof in what they are saying like specific testing etc? Do btoh doctors deal a lot with the conditions you have? Can you go for another opinion?
Sorry for so many questions and not a lot of answers for you. Hang in there.

This is Jordo's introductory thread with his problem described:

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread150503.html

I haven't been in contact with my old doctor at all. The main reason I switched is because I disliked him a lot. He had an extremely rude manner and stressed me out and I would often cancel appointments rather than deal with him (he was also very far from my house.) Because of this I didn't want to "come crawling back" and start up with him all over again.

The proof is in the MRI I originally had 5 years ago. I have a new MRI tomorrow night for the new doctor to evaluate. But no matter what it says she will not put me on trileptal and I'm not sure she wants to put me on anything except antidepressants, and I fail to see the reason for that. I have asked her questions over and over.

Both doctors do deal with the kind of pain I have.

I guess I can go to a 3rd doctor I just am very overwhelmed by all of this and would really like to find one that is recommended so that I do not continue to waste my time. I'd just rather have 1 doctor that I trust, not 3 doctors that I find questionable.

Many of us with a mix of conditions/unusual symptoms have to see quite a few drs before finding a match.

Be sure to ask for a copy of MRI & report for your own records.
It 's handy to have your own copies, just in case you want to have it reviewed by another dr on your own.

Hi. I read the intro story too that Mrs D posted. Thank you. I recall my pain doctor stating if neurontin did not help maybe to try Trileptal. I did not know the side effects though were more. So I guess I would ask you have you tried Neurontin? Maybe asking about one of those meds. Did the doctor say the reason why he or she did not want to rx it was cause the concern of side effects? I am on only meds such as neurontin etc not as needed pain meds. Some doctors like mine for long term use don't feel I should be. Everyone is different though and it seems it depends on the doctor you see. I am really not sure the answer. Some meds though are anti depressents or anxiety meds but also help with pain like Cymbalta. So if you stick with the doctor maybe you could ask about those. May I ask where you live cause maybe someone can refer a good doctor? Feel better

Update:

So my hand pain has gotten a lot worse the more I wean off trileptal.

I finally had an appointment with my new neurologist again and she gave me a prescription for Neurontin (or Gabapentin.)

She did this after suggesting botox injections for my hands, which really disturbed me. She also kept suggesting antidepressants but I don't want to take antidepressants (tried several of them in the past, reacted horribly, vowed to not take them ever again.) I don't know why Neurontin was the 3rd conclusion she came up with.

What can anyone tell me about this drug? I haven't started it yet, I'm waiting till I'm done weaning off trileptal. Thanks everyone.

Neurontin is an antiseizure drug (like your Trileptal) but with fewer serious toxic consequences.

It has side effects of drowsiness, and sometime edema (swelling), but is used for nerve pain more often than Trileptal.

Hey everyone. Update.


I have been taking neurontin now for a few weeks.

I have not noticed any improvement. My hand pain is still bad and compared to when I was on Trileptal, Neurontin seems to be completely innaffective.

I am on 3 pills a day. Should the dosage increase? It seems like neurontin is fairly popular...what's going on?

I've been to many specialists in what's approaching the 4th year of bilateral hand pain.

Rheumatolgist Dx rheumatology disorders (seronegative, of course)

Orthopedic Hand Dr.s' offer surgeries

Pain Dr.'s offer epidural spinal injections.

No consensus ... No relief yet

airy fairy idea
 

I am going to offer a very airy-fairy esoteric idea if you bear with me with an open mind ...

I once had to make a very important health decision, all the top doctors were all over the place with recommendations.

I was all stressed out, couldn't decide, was taking forever to decide, had to make a decision quick but didn't know what to do.

I was doing loads of research, knew all the facts but still stuck.

I sat down with a box of crayons. I drew pictures of me taking one route and the best/worse that could happen, then on another sheet I drew pictures of me taking the other path.

Instantly, I knew exactly the right decision for me. I felt absolutely solid about it. I took it. Still feel good about that path, even though both are legitimate paths, and have never looked back.

Not saying you would have the same result but if you continue feeling stuck perhaps find a totally new way of coming at the question.

Re: The offer from your dr to add an antidepressant, was that Cymbalta?
Cymbalta does have pain masking qualities.
It has diminished my neuropathy pain entirely for a time and now about 75% decrease in pain.
I wish you well, Jordo.