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Medical Care

Posted by heisenberg34 @heisenberg34, Jun 22 9:13am

I am in a quandry. I have had severe, chronic pain for eight years. I had it under decent control until 2021 when it all came roaring back with a vengeance. We mocved to a new state almost a year ago. In the past two or three month my pain has ramped up to the point where it is difficult to sit, walk, or stand. My new pain management doc takes care of my pain pump, but he has done nothing to address the new pain dspite my begging him to investigate new avenues of pain mitigation. I was supposed to have an MRI this Monday, but it was canceled yesterday due to my pain pump. I have tried to get an appointment with a neurologist, but it would have been almost two months. So, here's the big question: how do I get medical care for this serious problem? Do I have to wait until I have to be taken to the ER? Seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
I will await any insights or help. Thank you all.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 1 9:30am
In reply to @rwinney "Well good news then you had your MRI! I would definitely consider having the pump removed...." + (show)
@rwinney

Well good news then you had your MRI! I would definitely consider having the pump removed. Our bodies don't necessarily need or want foreign objects in them if it can be avoided, especially if the pump brings you no value. And let's face it nobody wants to feel like they have a dried out bagel in their gut . You gave me a chuckle with that.

Good luck on the MRI results. I will be curious what it shows. Do you mind getting back to me with the findings?

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So, I just received the MRI Images and interpretation. Not sure what it all means, but I am hoping that my pain doc looks at it prior to my visit today. Not very hopeful, though. In nine months he has done very little to mitigate my pain. Just keepd adjusting the pump. Maybe the MRI will ring a bell.

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1 reply
Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 1 9:56am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "So, I just received the MRI Images and interpretation. Not sure what it all means, but..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

So, I just received the MRI Images and interpretation. Not sure what it all means, but I am hoping that my pain doc looks at it prior to my visit today. Not very hopeful, though. In nine months he has done very little to mitigate my pain. Just keepd adjusting the pump. Maybe the MRI will ring a bell.

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Oh, I sure hope so. Keep me posted.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 2 9:06am
In reply to @rwinney "Oh, I sure hope so. Keep me posted." + (show)
@rwinney

Oh, I sure hope so. Keep me posted.

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Met with pain doc. He looked at mri interpretation and some images. Didn’t really seem to know what he was looking at. I said that I seen a condition called CIDP, a nerve condition for which I ticked off a lot of the symptoms. He said to see a neurologist. I said that I have one lined up in a couple of weeks. I had to suggest that he renew my rX for Tramadol and diclofenac K as they take the edge off pain.
On my way to a different pain doc today in hopes of finding someone who will actually look deeper into my case.

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 2 6:32pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "Met with pain doc. He looked at mri interpretation and some images. Didn’t really seem to..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

Met with pain doc. He looked at mri interpretation and some images. Didn’t really seem to know what he was looking at. I said that I seen a condition called CIDP, a nerve condition for which I ticked off a lot of the symptoms. He said to see a neurologist. I said that I have one lined up in a couple of weeks. I had to suggest that he renew my rX for Tramadol and diclofenac K as they take the edge off pain.
On my way to a different pain doc today in hopes of finding someone who will actually look deeper into my case.

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Perhaps a neurologist should weigh in first based on your described symptoms before seeking out a different pain doctor. Have you been tested for autoimmune disorders?

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1 reply
heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 3 8:12am
In reply to @rwinney "Perhaps a neurologist should weigh in first based on your described symptoms before seeking out a..." + (show)
@rwinney

Perhaps a neurologist should weigh in first based on your described symptoms before seeking out a different pain doctor. Have you been tested for autoimmune disorders?

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I was tested for RA two years ago. Negative. I finally went to a different pain doc yessterday. I became quite tired of my current pain doc NOT managing my pain. I won't go into details, but the way I was directed to this new practice was nothing short of a "God Moment". The new doc gave me more helpful and practical information in 20 minutes than I received in nine months with present doc. I actually have a glimmer of hope. I am already being lined up for an EMG. All I can say is Praise God. Thanks for keeping up with me.

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jul 4 8:00am
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I was tested for RA two years ago. Negative. I finally went to a different pain..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I was tested for RA two years ago. Negative. I finally went to a different pain doc yessterday. I became quite tired of my current pain doc NOT managing my pain. I won't go into details, but the way I was directed to this new practice was nothing short of a "God Moment". The new doc gave me more helpful and practical information in 20 minutes than I received in nine months with present doc. I actually have a glimmer of hope. I am already being lined up for an EMG. All I can say is Praise God. Thanks for keeping up with me.

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Praise the Lord heisenberg34. So glad God answered this prayer for you. Keep me posted. Praying for you and I care.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 4 8:17am
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Praise the Lord heisenberg34. So glad God answered this prayer for you. Keep me posted. Praying..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Praise the Lord heisenberg34. So glad God answered this prayer for you. Keep me posted. Praying for you and I care.

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Thanks. As I often advise people here on the blog, don't take "no" for ananswer. Keep searching. There is likely an answer out ther. Don't give up until you have exhausted every possible avenue.

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Mentor
Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Jul 15 5:30pm
In reply to @heisenberg34 "I was tested for RA two years ago. Negative. I finally went to a different pain..." + (show)
@heisenberg34

I was tested for RA two years ago. Negative. I finally went to a different pain doc yessterday. I became quite tired of my current pain doc NOT managing my pain. I won't go into details, but the way I was directed to this new practice was nothing short of a "God Moment". The new doc gave me more helpful and practical information in 20 minutes than I received in nine months with present doc. I actually have a glimmer of hope. I am already being lined up for an EMG. All I can say is Praise God. Thanks for keeping up with me.

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Wonderful news! I'm glad to hear you're hopeful with this new doctor. Yup, being our own advocate and active participant in our care (plus a little luck never hurts either) is so important. Follow your gut and keep pushing to rule out what it isn't until you find what it is. Good luck with your EMG testing.

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heisenberg34 | @heisenberg34 | Jul 15 5:44pm
In reply to @rwinney "Wonderful news! I'm glad to hear you're hopeful with this new doctor. Yup, being our own..." + (show)
@rwinney

Wonderful news! I'm glad to hear you're hopeful with this new doctor. Yup, being our own advocate and active participant in our care (plus a little luck never hurts either) is so important. Follow your gut and keep pushing to rule out what it isn't until you find what it is. Good luck with your EMG testing.

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Unfortunately, the EMG apparently did not reveal anything significant except that I have neuropathy. Duh!
The pain doc that I saw is only in that office once a month. So, I have to wait almost three weeks to see him again…while in excruciating pain. Go figure.
Thanks for reaching out.

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