First time @ pm.Help!
 

Finally-Finally,i will be going to see a pain management doc tomorrow.
I am a bit nervous as i dont want to say the wrong thing and come off like a druggie.
I have been on ultram for the past 6-7 months after being on percocet for the year before.It's just not cutting it at all for pain control for me.
Also i have this burning pain in my shoulders/feet.I have done ALOT of reading and really dont want to go on lyrica.I would prefer to try cymbalta.
I am on topamax now.Well i took a break for a while and am just now going back on it.anyway...
I know i cant walk in there and tell him what i want..But at the same time,i dont want to sit quietly like a mouse in the corner.
Any suggestions would be appreciated on how to word things properly.
This is the first time i have been referred to a real pm doc.Not just one that gives shots!
I dont want to mess it up.
Thanx in advance.

Hi! I am rather new here and understand the time taken to be able to get to see a real pain management doc and the thoughts and fears...

I also understand not wanting to sound or appear to be a 'druggie' or a 'drug seeker' I have found that in pain mgmt, they are able to tell alot on the first visit, I would think I felt that way on my first visit.

I have found the most benifit to a visit with pm and all is for me honesty and I have a tendency to ramble as it is when going to the doctor and 5 seconds out the door realize that I have forgotten some major or even the main purpose of the visit. This for me is so frustrating.

I find that writing down the important things you are seeking from the pain management doc that a regular MD has not been able to have after all efforts of trial, been unable to help you manage your pain.

I also took with me the names and numbers of all current physcians currently seeing and a list of all medications currently prescribed, from the names of the current docs.

Mostly I would just as you put it here, what in our history of chronic pain you have tried and had no success with including otc meds, if any specific meds caused you bad side effects, and which meds taken in your past that you did feel some response to yet not relief enought for you to have a quality of life to date from those, and the benifits that may have helped the most, only not quite enough. What your taking now and lack of response to and the difference you are now feeling on the current meds and from this they may be able to help determine which specific class of pain relievers seem from your history had the best response, yet would give the pm doc something to find that in that class that may be the one that will really provide you with relief.

I have found that pm doc know of meds for me or names of similar meds taken with no results, I had never even heard of and yet tried and had success or no response, I wish you the best, and know how hard of work it can take to just get your foot in the door... It took and still does take a lot of monthly trials and errors and changes to find the combo that benifits you the best. I wish you the best of luck in finding answers or solutions to the pain you suffer from. Best wishes-

How did it go Kell ?

First off i want to thank idiopathic for the advice.
I forgot about this post:o
I got shots in both of my hips..A referral to a group that i can't afford to go to.
Once again,i was told fibromyalgia is manageable!!!
I really dont think feeling like i have a rod stuck in the side of my neck is fibro..but how do you get them to listen????
Thanx for asking.
Take care~

I know I mentioned TOS before to you - what do you think about that idea?
Have you had time to read thru many of the links on the sticky thread?

Have you had at least an X ray of your cervical spine to see is any extra cervical rib is present or any c spine problems ?or arthritis could show up on x ray too.

Do you have all or most the sx of fybro?
full body? or is it mostly upper body based- neck/shoulders/arms/upper back?

Quite a few have the dx of TOS & Fybro also.

Oh I just noticed you have trouble with your hips too.