Pain Mgmt and Neurologist
 

I am so frustrated. Will no one help us?? Can someone please explain to me why neurologist don't do pain mgmt?...

I am running out of tramadol so I called my neuro's office yesterday and requested a refill. The nurse called today and said that "since he is no longer treating me he didn't want to do the refill." I asked when it was decided he no longer treated me? Answer - since he refered you to Mayo. I reminded her that in my medical file there was a letter from Mayo declining to treat me. Then she stated "well he doesn't do pain mgmt."

I told the nurse that I really didn't want to go to pain mgmt just yet, that a pain mgmt doc would only give me pain meds and I wanted to stay with a neurologist because I thought a neuro doc would be aware of any new treatments and medications coming out where a pain mgmt doc might not. Am I asking to much??

The doc did agree to refill my tramadol but what now? I'll be running out of neurontin soon...are you guys having the same problem?

At the last appt. that I had with the neuro (10 wks back) he did say that he had run all the tests he knew to do and that he had nothing else to offer. I guess that was the send off...any suggestions?

Do you have a primary care doc?
 

Talk to them. That's who manages my pain and other meds for my PN and RLS. That's who gives me my Tramadol. She has all the info from my neuro doc and others involved in that area.

My PCP is the one who handles all my med refills, not my neuro.
My PCP coordinates with my neuro on treatment and medications.

Thanks, Jarrett and Nide -

I do have a GP and will make an appt to discuss this with her. However, I have good news....Johns Hopkins called this a.m. They can see me in December...so we'll what happens if anything.

Good news Leslie!
I hope that you get some answers from John Hopkins when you go.
I find the same thing. I would ask the GP about the meds. I find the same thing. The Neurologist, prescribed the neurontin for me, and can increase/decrease that dosage, but the GP or pain management center prescribe the pain killers.
I hope it works out for you.

Jess:)

I go to Hopkins and am very pleased with my treatment.
I see Dr Griffin, & his PA Tammi.
Be sure you ask your neurologist if s/he's a PN specialist,
(Dr Cornblath is a good one)
There are dozens of neuros there and they each have a special 'niche'.
Make sure you are seeing the right one.

Bob - my appt. is with Dr. Sumner. I read her bio and it doesn't specifically say whether she a PN specialist or not. It indicates that she specializes in CMT and neuromuscular issues. How can I definately tell that she is a PN specialist?