Medications before 2nd opinion?
 

Have been seeing a pm Dr. who has prescribed meds along with narcotics. Ortho doesnt agree with narcotics-he obviously doesnt understand RSD. He suggested getting a 2nd opinion. I am on a few lists for 2nd opinions but for myself not for ortho. I trust my pm Dr. he started me on the mildest narcotic and as RSD has spread he has worked up to the stongest narcotic. Question is: Should i wean down on narcotics prior to 2nd opinion so the new Dr. can evaluated my pain and give his recommendation. This makes sense to me. My fear is my pain level may be in control, but my mind is out of it. I want to have a clear mind when i discuss my future. What has everyone else done? momof4

Whenever I see my doctor(s), I always slack off on the pain medication, so I can help myself and the doctor when it comes to me being able to describe the pain efficiently. It's hard to describe based just on memory (like labor) and if they want to move my limbs around and what not, I can tell them if there is tingling/burning when they do that. When pain is not there (because of being medicated), I feel like a goof being there, describing symptoms that "just aren't here right now because I took pain medication".
Based on what you wrote, I think your instincts are telling you to cut back on the narcotics before you go. I think you should follow them ;)

Best of luck! Vanna

I've been with my doc for just about 20 years. He's so good. He doesn't move my limbs around, or things like that. He can just look at me and he knows. I don't change meds in any way! I DO keep a list of what's going on with me, so I don't forget. (He and I are dealing with lots more than just rsd. TOS, TBI, DISCS, APNEA, and assorted others.)
This doc knows.
If you're seeing a good doctor, there is no reason to pump up your pain to put on an show.
That's rather silly imho.
Your records should speak to that. Also, any notes that you bring.

If I were the doctor, and found out that you were able to cut back on your meds, guess what I'd do? I'd cut you back on your meds!

JMHO.

Pete

RN I agree with vanna..I always back down on meds, so that the dr can see where the pain is and at what ROM point the pain kicks in,,I dont like masking pain when seeing a new Dr. and It also enables the dr to see the flares that are more prominent,, I do see pete's point,,but some of the dr;s that ive seen often want to see the proof that i want help and im not just trying to just get the meds so when i go the proof is in the pudding,,,,,,,bobber