Dose any one know about pain management doctors?!
Question: Im 29 and I had one back surgery when I was 20 a disctomey. Im having pain in my right butt, leg, and my toes go numb, but no pain in my lower back. It started around thanksgiving at work when I was coughing. Ive been going through my work comp ins. occupational doctor and he has scheduled a epidural next week and he is not treating my pain very good, for example the darvocets are not working for me and when I told him this he said if I was in that much pain then I should have emergency surgery right away a fusion in my lower back. I told him that I dident want to jump right into surgery like i did last time and a fusion surgery would probley end my job as a automotive painter. So I was thinking about a pain mangement doctor. So if any one knows about them, like how they work, and what to expect I would really apreciate it. Thanks Ryan L.
Answers: Im 29 and I had one back surgery when I was 20 a disctomey. Im having pain in my right butt, leg, and my toes go numb, but no pain in my lower back. It started around thanksgiving at work when I was coughing. Ive been going through my work comp ins. occupational doctor and he has scheduled a epidural next week and he is not treating my pain very good, for example the darvocets are not working for me and when I told him this he said if I was in that much pain then I should have emergency surgery right away a fusion in my lower back. I told him that I dident want to jump right into surgery like i did last time and a fusion surgery would probley end my job as a automotive painter. So I was thinking about a pain mangement doctor. So if any one knows about them, like how they work, and what to expect I would really apreciate it. Thanks Ryan L.
Yes, i am a patient at the UCLA pain management center. First, change doctors if he thinks you should go from darvocet to surgery. Darvocet is a rediculously weak hydrocodone. Surgery should be a last course of action. I have the same back problems. Let a pain management doctor decide about the epidurals. Pain management doctors are usually anesthisiologists as well and they are the ones who do the epidural anyway. In my case I do get epidurals but FDA regs only allow 3 a year, and they dont administer pain med like they do for labor, its a steroid to reduce inflamation and nerve pain.
Here is the deal, doctors are really wierd about prescribing narcotics. Especially a work comp doctor. Pain management doctors are specifically trained in prescribing narcotic medication and they will do so. Their main concern and primary purpose is to improve your quality of life by reducing your pain.
My doctor has me on 40mg of oxycontin 2x day. If your condition is chronic then they use meds like oxycontin which are only to be used for long term use and for pain management (another words you dont take it when you have pain, you take it every 10 hours religiously). If your condition is not chronic but comes and goes then they will put you on a pain med thats used PRN (as needed for pain) such as Vicodin ( a stronger hydrocodone than darvocet) or a short actin oxycodone (percocet). They may also try trigger point injections and/or cortisone shots. Do NOT take back surgery advice from anyone other than a spine/neck specialist or nuerologist. The thing is most pain management centers require a referral to even get an appointment (this is from your doctor saying you are a canidate) otherwise addicts would fill their waiting rooms trying to get meds. So tell your doctor you want a referral to a pain management center. Dont ask him, tell him "i have decided I "NEED" (not want) to see a pain management specialist and Im requestin a referral. And put it in writing. He will then have to do it. And do it quick because most times it takes about a month to get an appt at a pain management center. Also, if the darvocet is not working call your doctor and let him know your appt date at the pain management center and tell him you need stronger medication until that date. Doctors are legally covered if you have an appointment to see a pain management doctor and do not come under scrutiny for prescribing strong medication until you have your appointment.
have you ever seen a ciro.... or a good massage