So, I posted on here almost two weeks ago now about my degenerative disc disease. I've been on Prednisone for 8 days now...the higher dose for the first 5 days, then I began tapering down on Sunday. I have 2 more days of the medium dose, and then 5 days of the lowest dose--1 pill a day for 5 days.
Saturday I finally felt some relief from this goshawful pain.
Sunday it came back, after I started the lower dose. I e-mailed my doc and said we needed to do whatever the next thing to do was, because this wasn't working.
Yesterday he gave me a referral to the Pain Management group under my insurance company, with the goal of doing corticosteroid injections in my neck to help with the pain. I called them yesterday, and they said it would take 48-72 hours before they would be ready to schedule me--the docs in Pain Management had to review my records first. I asked them to please hurry--I haven't slept more than 3 hours in over two weeks, and the pain is just really, really awful, 24/7. I'm just weary from the pain.
I was in Kroger when I got the call this evening to schedule my PM visit. I was informed that the first available was September 5th. Seriously? Almost ONE FULL MONTH?!?!?!
I made the appointment, then hung up the phone and just cried. I couldn't believe I'd have to wait another month.
Has anyone else who has had to visit a pain management Dr. had a similar experience? Are they normally that backed-up?
I'm trying to make myself accept it by thinking that there's someone in as much or more pain than I am who has waited even longer for relief, and so my wait is something tolerable, and I'm glad they don't have to wait any longer. But I guess I'm just curious...anyone with any experience with this kind of thing...is this normal? It seems like relentless pain ought to bump someone to a higher place on whatever list exists.
My husband did not have to wait that long, it could have been his primary doctor called and set it all up for him he was in there within the week. and after going months for the shots, and eperdials he had to have surgery.. Tabby sorry you are going through this pain, i seen my husband go through it and it was horrible. have you tried the pain patches they have out now that you can buy? or have you ask your primary doctor if he can give you a cortisone shot to help while you wait for your appointment?
"The most dangerous place in the world to be is "Between a Mother and her Child"
In Loving Memory of My Daddy and Mama
3-29-08and 10-24-2012
My husband did not have to wait that long, it could have been his primary doctor called and set it all up for him he was in there within the week. and after going months for the shots, and eperdials he had to have surgery.. Tabby sorry you are going through this pain, i seen my husband go through it and it was horrible. have you tried the pain patches they have out now that you can buy? or have you ask your primary doctor if he can give you a cortisone shot to help while you wait for your appointment?
I haven't tried the patches yet...are you talking about the Salonpas? I've seen the commercials, and I'm willing to try just about anything at this point!
I have my next appt with my PCP a week from Thursday. I'm wondering if I can get in sooner.
Thanks for your empathy, LR. This truly is miserable.
Have you checked with your insurance to see if this is the *only* pain management practice you can use under their plan? I'd find that kind of hard to believe, but I guess it depends on the insurance. We have United Healthcare, and it looks as if every doctor on the planet is affiliated with them.
If there isn't anyone else you can see, I would call that office EVERY.BLESSED.DAY - maybe twice a day - to see if they've had a cancellation. One of two things will happen: either they'll have a cancellation and you'll get in sooner, or they'll get tired of you calling and you'll get in sooner. I've been in that kind of pain and there comes a point in time where you'd do murder to get some relief.
I never went through a pain management clinic. It may be common practice, but it seems odd to me. I saw a neuro who took care of everything. Including scheduling my MRI and epidural.
Will your insurance let you go that route?
Praying for your relief darlin!!!
I haven't tried the patches yet...are you talking about the Salonpas? I've seen the commercials, and I'm willing to try just about anything at this point!
I have my next appt with my PCP a week from Thursday. I'm wondering if I can get in sooner.
Thanks for your empathy, LR. This truly is miserable.
Bless your heart we have been their done that my son is 24 years and has a buldging disk in his neck causeing neck and arm pain unbearable for 3 months + we have had steriod shot in neck didn't do anything for him. now he is on muscle relaxer and antiinflamortory(sp) it has knocked his pain down to a 7-8 where it was a 10 or above. and he is doing pyscial thearpy 2 days a week plus at home and he can tell a difference. pain managment is all about adictive meds. we don't agree with that we pray you feel better soon.
I was in Kroger when I got the call this evening to schedule my PM visit. I was informed that the first available was September 5th. Seriously? Almost ONE FULL MONTH?!?!?!
I made the appointment, then hung up the phone and just cried. I couldn't believe I'd have to wait another month.
Has anyone else who has had to visit a pain management Dr. had a similar experience? Are they normally that backed-up?
I don't which Pain Management doctor you are going to, but I know the one I went to over in the Kennesaw Hospital area could work people in THAT DAY when they are in extreme pain.
Don't expect that the doctor will give you an injection or epidural right away. They'll need to review your pain, schedule you for an x-ray or MRI or whatever, and then an epidural or injection.
However, it shouldn't take that long to get in to get your first visit with the Doc.
I've got 3 herniated discs and the last epidural that he did is still working - no pain for me. And it's been months since that visit.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies… America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.Senator Barack Obama
We're prepared to go outside of insurance if needed. Completely prepared...it was the first thing my husband suggested when I called him in tears this evening. A month just seems like a ridiculously long time to wait for pain relief.
I'm not all about doing the mind-numbing drugs either, tidonald. It wasn't my understanding that that was what I was expecting to receive when I get there. My understanding is that they will start with the injections. If that fails to bring relief, we'll move on to the epidural. If that fails, we'll be scheduling surgery...I still have research to do on that, but I don't want a fusion surgery if surgery is necessary, because all that does is transfer the stress to other surrounding vertebrae, and it just keeps on going and going. If surgery is necessary, I'm going to seek disc replacement, and again, I'll go outside of insurance if necessary. I have a lot of years left to live, and I don't want to know that all I have to look forward to is more of this.
We have KP insurance, BTW. If anyone knows anything about how they approach this ailment, I'd be glad for you to share.
I have a spinal fusion 8 years ago, and I am doing great. C-4 C-5...
I too have KP insurance. Call your PCP for a net day appointment. Drugs are a good thing when in this kind of pain.
You can go to the new Towne Park 24/7 care facility for some immediate relief.
I sure hope this helps.
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. ~Abraham Lincoln~ Asdvadzashounch
I have a spinal fusion 8 years ago, and I am doing great. C-4 C-5...
I too have KP insurance. Call your PCP for a net day appointment. Drugs are a good thing when in this kind of pain.
You can go to the new Towne Park 24/7 care facility for some immediate relief.
I sure hope this helps.
It does. Thank you!
I can't get a next-day appointment...I've been in touch with my PCP since they opened Monday morning...that's how I got the referral and the appt 1 month out!
In a word, yes. The first one my hubby went to it took almost a month to get the appointment and then the doctor wanted an MRI before a real visit, i.e., anything other than a refill on the meds he was already taking. That took another two weeks.
BTW, when you do make it to the pain management specialist, you will feel like you've been grilled because there will be pages and pages of paperwork to fill out.
Stay strong. Know that others are thinking of you.
TabbyCat, on 07 August 2012 - 05:13 PM, said:
So, I posted on here almost two weeks ago now about my degenerative disc disease. I've been on Prednisone for 8 days now...the higher dose for the first 5 days, then I began tapering down on Sunday. I have 2 more days of the medium dose, and then 5 days of the lowest dose--1 pill a day for 5 days.
Saturday I finally felt some relief from this goshawful pain.
Sunday it came back, after I started the lower dose. I e-mailed my doc and said we needed to do whatever the next thing to do was, because this wasn't working.
Yesterday he gave me a referral to the Pain Management group under my insurance company, with the goal of doing corticosteroid injections in my neck to help with the pain. I called them yesterday, and they said it would take 48-72 hours before they would be ready to schedule me--the docs in Pain Management had to review my records first. I asked them to please hurry--I haven't slept more than 3 hours in over two weeks, and the pain is just really, really awful, 24/7. I'm just weary from the pain.
I was in Kroger when I got the call this evening to schedule my PM visit. I was informed that the first available was September 5th. Seriously? Almost ONE FULL MONTH?!?!?!
I made the appointment, then hung up the phone and just cried. I couldn't believe I'd have to wait another month.
Has anyone else who has had to visit a pain management Dr. had a similar experience? Are they normally that backed-up?
I'm trying to make myself accept it by thinking that there's someone in as much or more pain than I am who has waited even longer for relief, and so my wait is something tolerable, and I'm glad they don't have to wait any longer. But I guess I'm just curious...anyone with any experience with this kind of thing...is this normal? It seems like relentless pain ought to bump someone to a higher place on whatever list exists.
The Salonpas patches work so-so for me. I think LR might be referring to Lidoderm. It's expensive but worth a try.
TabbyCat, on 07 August 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:
I haven't tried the patches yet...are you talking about the Salonpas? I've seen the commercials, and I'm willing to try just about anything at this point!
I have my next appt with my PCP a week from Thursday. I'm wondering if I can get in sooner.
Thanks for your empathy, LR. This truly is miserable.
I think most things like epidurals and nerve blocks are going through pain management practices now, ESPECIALLY if the patient requires pain medication prescriptions.
NC-17, on 07 August 2012 - 05:49 PM, said:
I never went through a pain management clinic. It may be common practice, but it seems odd to me. I saw a neuro who took care of everything. Including scheduling my MRI and epidural.
Will your insurance let you go that route?
Praying for your relief darlin!!!
See, no one in the South ever asks if you have crazy people in your family. They just ask which side they're on. -- Julia Sugarbaker
In loving memory of Mason (December 1, 2001 to December 9, 2001) and Ashley Jr. (December 1, 2001 to December 2, 2001)
I can't get a next-day appointment...I've been in touch with my PCP since they opened Monday morning...that's how I got the referral and the appt 1 month out!
Have you been to the TP facility?
Not yet. I have an appointment Friday for bone density test. My PCP said to go there for any for urgent care.
I have been by the building, its huge and looks nice. Maybe you should go be seen. I know the pain level you're going through I would go.
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. ~Abraham Lincoln~ Asdvadzashounch
Dr. Mortazavi would not let you go through that kind of pain.
Like I said, I had the fusion in November. C-4-5-6 I have complete mobility, no headaches, no pain and no numbness.
And he gave me the RX for the pain meds himself and flexeril.
Thanks, darlin'. And thanks to everyone else, too. I'm going to try to figure out a different plan tomorrow. Waiting a month for any kind of relief just ISN'T an option.
Thanks, darlin'. And thanks to everyone else, too. I'm going to try to figure out a different plan tomorrow. Waiting a month for any kind of relief just ISN'T an option.
GO to TANNER's ER. They can help you for the night so you can sleep and then try Dr. Kameth in dallas. Delecia is a PA i nhis office and she is great. They are located behind the BP on 120 I believe it is Comprehensive pain management
Thanks, darlin'. And thanks to everyone else, too. I'm going to try to figure out a different plan tomorrow. Waiting a month for any kind of relief just ISN'T an option.
My mom went to Emory Ortho and Spinal Clinic. They try all options first then go to surgery if the need arises. At the Emory ortho and Spinal Hosptial people from other states were there having surgery. Great hospital. No other patients,only ortho. Her first doc (injections) was Dr. Garcia then her surgeeon was Dr. Yoon!! Great docs and great hospital!!
Never dealt with any pain management but hope you find some temporary relief soon and hopefully a viable option for long-term relief not long after.
mrnn
"Republicans have been fleeced, exploited, and lied to by the conservative entertainment complex" -- David Frum, Former Bush Speechwriter and directer of Republican Jewish Coalition
So, I posted on here almost two weeks ago now about my degenerative disc disease. I've been on Prednisone for 8 days now...the higher dose for the first 5 days, then I began tapering down on Sunday. I have 2 more days of the medium dose, and then 5 days of the lowest dose--1 pill a day for 5 days.
Saturday I finally felt some relief from this goshawful pain.
Sunday it came back, after I started the lower dose. I e-mailed my doc and said we needed to do whatever the next thing to do was, because this wasn't working.
Yesterday he gave me a referral to the Pain Management group under my insurance company, with the goal of doing corticosteroid injections in my neck to help with the pain. I called them yesterday, and they said it would take 48-72 hours before they would be ready to schedule me--the docs in Pain Management had to review my records first. I asked them to please hurry--I haven't slept more than 3 hours in over two weeks, and the pain is just really, really awful, 24/7. I'm just weary from the pain.
I was in Kroger when I got the call this evening to schedule my PM visit. I was informed that the first available was September 5th. Seriously? Almost ONE FULL MONTH?!?!?!
I made the appointment, then hung up the phone and just cried. I couldn't believe I'd have to wait another month.
Has anyone else who has had to visit a pain management Dr. had a similar experience? Are they normally that backed-up?
I'm trying to make myself accept it by thinking that there's someone in as much or more pain than I am who has waited even longer for relief, and so my wait is something tolerable, and I'm glad they don't have to wait any longer. But I guess I'm just curious...anyone with any experience with this kind of thing...is this normal? It seems like relentless pain ought to bump someone to a higher place on whatever list exists.
Thank goodness I have never been in this situation either. I just hope that you can find someone who can get you some type of relief before a freaking month. That is ridiculous.
My thoughts and well wishes are with you, and I will actively ask around to see if anyone else has had a similar experience and can offer help.
I am so sorry you are having to deal with this.
Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted. ~~~~~ "A room without a book, is like a body without a soul" ~Cicero ~~~~~~ I dream of a world...where chickens can cross the road without their motives being questioned.
OMG.. I am so feeling your pain.. literally.. I suffer from RH, DGD, Fibro and Lupus.. I had a flare up about two weeks ago that sent me into tears... I do have ortheopdedics but see them about every 6 months for steroid injections on an as needed basis.. I have always known new knees were not "if"but "when.". and I am just getting ready to hit 50.. I do not take narcotics as I work full time and am the sole supporter of my family while my dh finishes his degree... anyway.. I went to my ortho in excruciating pain.. bp elevated in tears.. he said, "it's time honey they are shot". I begged for one more injection.. he obliged.. My primary care has referred me to "pain management" on many occasions.. I have declined.. anyway.. that was a Friday night.. the local he gave me numbed the pain for about 4 hours.. then, I was bawling... I felt shards of glass stabbing into my knee in every direction.. I decided to go to emergency med which btw my pcp practices at.. It was awful! A doc I never met kept asking "where do you get your meds" I said mail order.. he said not narcotic.. I explained I took none and he all but called me a liar!.. he asked why my ortho gave me no pain meds I explained I refused them he didn't believe me.. I was weeping in pain with a blood pressure of 155 plus.. I said please.. i have to work can you no give me something to rub on this and numb the pain? I swear I would have given my leg at this point.. he was like, "oh you don't want drugs? ok.. I guess you do hurt".. prior to that he kept telling me I needed pain management and even wrote me another referral.. OK.. I digress.. PENSAID it is a topical that you may have to get your insurance to manually approve but it works.. I will have to get my knees sooner than later but I want you to know.... you are not ALONE that you cried.. Hugs..
Dr. Mortazavi would not let you go through that kind of pain.
Like I said, I had the fusion in November. C-4-5-6 I have complete mobility, no headaches, no pain and no numbness.
And he gave me the RX for the pain meds himself and flexeril.
My husband sees Dr.Mortazavi and LOVES him but Dr.M sent him Comprehensive Pain Management over off Dallas Hwy for his epidurals.I'm not sure which Dr. he sees there but they do everything they can to take care of my husband.And he was able to get his first appt right away.
My husband goes to Comprehensive Pain Management. Please avoid Dr. Lee at Pinnacle. Long story, please trust me. PM if you would like the long sordid story.
It can take a while to get into pain management because it is a way overused service, in my opinion. The more pill mill drug busts there are - the longer the line of legitimate patients at legitimate doctors.
Also call around to the orthopeadists - they have docs that can handle your type of situation. Just avoid the above mentioned doc.
I understand your pain. My MIL had a similiar injury - ended up with very, very successful surgery. My dad has bone spurs in his neck.
BTW, have you gone to a chiropractor yet? I really would suggest it - take your films and have a long talk. They may be able to give you some relief until you get into the other doc. I highly recommend mine - Dr. Vaughn. In my experience - he is extremely cautious with injuries and has a good relationship with PT and orthos.
If that route doesn't appeal to you - ask your doc about PT. They can do some things to help you as well - ultrasound, icing, exercising, manipulation, traction, needling, etc. that could very well give you some relief. We use PT solutions (they have offices all over the place) and have been very, very happy with their services - everyone (literally) in my family have been to see them.
Dr. Kameth is good. I used him before my surgery for injections. I hate pain management clinics because they're usually full of drug addicts, but his is nice and it's generally older people.
I first saw Dr. Kameth when he was still at Resergens. Then he moved out on his own with the pain management clinic. I didn't use him for narcotics but he will prescribe them if you need them.
I didn't have a referral when I first went but you may need one now. Just call to get the info you need. They can probably get you in quick!
My husband sees Dr.Mortazavi and LOVES him but Dr.M sent him Comprehensive Pain Management over off Dallas Hwy for his epidurals.I'm not sure which Dr. he sees there but they do everything they can to take care of my husband.And he was able to get his first appt right away.
Now that it's been mentioned, Dr. Taylor at COmprehensive Pain Care is the best. He's the one who saw me right away and worked me in without an appointment.
Their whole staff is a great group of caring people.
The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. Government can't pay its own bills. It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our Government's reckless fiscal policies… America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better.Senator Barack Obama
My husband goes to Comprehensive Pain Management. Please avoid Dr. Lee at Pinnacle. Long story, please trust me. PM if you would like the long sordid story.
Please educate me on Dr Lee at Pinnacle. I know someone that is scheduled to see him and want to send her in a different direction if he is not a good doc. Thanks!!!
I had a similar experience when I told a primary care physician that I did not take diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol drugs because I am not diabetic, hypertensive nor do I have high cholesterol. But they didn't all BUT call me a liar. They did call me that.
I'm with you. I don't take narcotics for my knee pain either. Maybe once in a blue moon but that's it. I still have 29 of the 30 Percocet my ortho gave me last October. And also like you, new knees are not "if" but "when". Soon. But I'm closer to 60.
lovecanbuildabridge, on 08 August 2012 - 01:01 AM, said:
I explained I took none and he all but called me a liar!..
Yes, he works closely with orthopaedists in the area, including the one I go to. And he can show you exercises to do on your own.
Also, Tabby, have you considered acupuncture? It is something my hubby and I are exploring for him.
Just thinkin, on 08 August 2012 - 06:15 AM, said:
BTW, have you gone to a chiropractor yet? I really would suggest it - take your films and have a long talk. They may be able to give you some relief until you get into the other doc. I highly recommend mine - Dr. Vaughn. In my experience - he is extremely cautious with injuries and has a good relationship with PT and orthos.
See, no one in the South ever asks if you have crazy people in your family. They just ask which side they're on. -- Julia Sugarbaker
In loving memory of Mason (December 1, 2001 to December 9, 2001) and Ashley Jr. (December 1, 2001 to December 2, 2001)
Please educate me on Dr Lee at Pinnacle. I know someone that is scheduled to see him and want to send her in a different direction if he is not a good doc. Thanks!!!
I go to Dr. Lee for my injections..go for another one Friday. I like him and the staff.
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. ~Abraham Lincoln~ Asdvadzashounch
My hubby saw him for about 18 months. Every month - more pills - every month - stronger pills - this continued on and on until one month hubby needed me to count the number of pills at home because he didn't have the right amount at work. The end of the drug cycle was becoming more and more stressful as what I now know was his dependance upon the drugs was growing. I counted his pills - he had miscounted when he divided them up - and he told me to wash my hands immediately. The level of dosage he was out could possible kill someone that hadn't worked up to that dosage. He was at the point where he was locking up the pills he didn't need because we have two teenage boys and their friends in the house.
That's when I put my foot down. What was this doctor doing - the appointments were about 10 minutes long. He asked if hubby still hurt - the answer was yes (what had been done to change that???) - he walked out of the room - the nurse handed hubby prescriptions for higher dosages or stronger meds.
By the Grace of God, his RA also had some concerns about his pain management and recommended that he see the folks at Comprehensive Pain Management. His first appointment consisted of a lecture and directions to be off the oxycontin in 90 days or she was putting him in rehab (the fact that Cobb has a two week inpatient rehab program for presciption drugs should say something to us as a society). He was off the oxy within 8 weeks, and he's now off everything narcotic except the occassional tramadol.
Dr. Lee doesn't speak English well. He's extremely ADHD and I don't think he truly pays enough attention to his patients and their concerns. I think he's really just a mistake waiting to happen. No one in my family will ever see him again.
My hubby saw him for about 18 months. Every month - more pills - every month - stronger pills - this continued on and on until one month hubby needed me to count the number of pills at home because he didn't have the right amount at work. The end of the drug cycle was becoming more and more stressful as what I now know was his dependance upon the drugs was growing. I counted his pills - he had miscounted when he divided them up - and he told me to wash my hands immediately. The level of dosage he was out could possible kill someone that hadn't worked up to that dosage. He was at the point where he was locking up the pills he didn't need because we have two teenage boys and their friends in the house.
That's when I put my foot down. What was this doctor doing - the appointments were about 10 minutes long. He asked if hubby still hurt - the answer was yes (what had been done to change that???) - he walked out of the room - the nurse handed hubby prescriptions for higher dosages or stronger meds.
By the Grace of God, his RA also had some concerns about his pain management and recommended that he see the folks at Comprehensive Pain Management. His first appointment consisted of a lecture and directions to be off the oxycontin in 90 days or she was putting him in rehab (the fact that Cobb has a two week inpatient rehab program for presciption drugs should say something to us as a society). He was off the oxy within 8 weeks, and he's now off everything narcotic except the occassional tramadol.
Dr. Lee doesn't speak English well. He's extremely ADHD and I don't think he truly pays enough attention to his patients and their concerns. I think he's really just a mistake waiting to happen. No one in my family will ever see him again.
Was this a worker comp injury?
I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. ~Abraham Lincoln~ Asdvadzashounch
I must say that he is not my doctor- he is the doctor that does my lower back injections. So with that, I guess I can't really say if he is a good doctor or not!
Oh Tabby ... I'm so sorry to hear that you are having this type of problem & pain.
I can't offer info, but I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Hope you find a speedy & complete solution.
That sounds like the pain management specialist my hubby went to. Always MORE pills, STRONGER pills. We had to have a dang written schedule about what he was supposed to take when. Sure made traveling a bit...interesting. That binder with the pill schedule and at least four bottles of pills with us. Fortunately, we didn't have to lock them up at home, as it's just the two of us here, but when we traveled, we had them with us in the car. I finally got to the point where I locked them in the trunk so it wouldn't be easy to get one while on the road.
Something my husband took, a muscle relaxer, did not mix well with beer. Or maybe it did, depending on your point of view. I actually called 911 once because he passed out. Totally unresponsive. Fortunately, he stirred before I completed the call and I cancelled the EMTs.
When he decided to go off the pain meds he asked the doctor what would happen if he ran out of stuff (winter was coming up and it was possible he might have to miss an appointment). Her response "oh, it won't be bad". So he went off them. Cold turkey. Can you say withdrawal? OMG he was miserable. But he's off them now other than an occasional pain pill and I do mean occasional, as in maybe once every 10-14 days. Believe me, the week between Christmas 2010 and New Years Day 2011 was pretty rough on us. Thankfully, I had a friend who had gone through withdrawal and he told me what to expect. Otherwise, I would have been in the looney bin myself.
I'm pushing him to get a check up next month when his Medicare starts but I'm certainly not pushing him to go back on something that requires a dang schedule to remember.
Just thinkin, on 08 August 2012 - 02:09 PM, said:
Blondie - I'll answered you.
My hubby saw him for about 18 months. Every month - more pills - every month - stronger pills - this continued on and on until one month hubby needed me to count the number of pills at home because he didn't have the right amount at work. The end of the drug cycle was becoming more and more stressful as what I now know was his dependance upon the drugs was growing. I counted his pills - he had miscounted when he divided them up - and he told me to wash my hands immediately. The level of dosage he was out could possible kill someone that hadn't worked up to that dosage. He was at the point where he was locking up the pills he didn't need because we have two teenage boys and their friends in the house.
That's when I put my foot down. What was this doctor doing - the appointments were about 10 minutes long. He asked if hubby still hurt - the answer was yes (what had been done to change that???) - he walked out of the room - the nurse handed hubby prescriptions for higher dosages or stronger meds.
By the Grace of God, his RA also had some concerns about his pain management and recommended that he see the folks at Comprehensive Pain Management. His first appointment consisted of a lecture and directions to be off the oxycontin in 90 days or she was putting him in rehab (the fact that Cobb has a two week inpatient rehab program for presciption drugs should say something to us as a society). He was off the oxy within 8 weeks, and he's now off everything narcotic except the occassional tramadol.
Dr. Lee doesn't speak English well. He's extremely ADHD and I don't think he truly pays enough attention to his patients and their concerns. I think he's really just a mistake waiting to happen. No one in my family will ever see him again.
See, no one in the South ever asks if you have crazy people in your family. They just ask which side they're on. -- Julia Sugarbaker
In loving memory of Mason (December 1, 2001 to December 9, 2001) and Ashley Jr. (December 1, 2001 to December 2, 2001)
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i would think your PCP could get you in faster than that.
it is a topical that you may have to get your insurance to manually approve but it works.. I will have to get my knees sooner than later but I want you to know.... you are not ALONE that you cried.. Hugs..
