I just felt like I needed to find a way to find quality in my life pain is not the quality I want. I just told him I needed a plan going forward.

I thought about what I felt I needed and what I would get in the ER. I presented my PCP with what I thought was a realistic plan for a “pain crisis” (what I call it). I asked if he trusted me, which I was pretty sure he did. If my PCP said is he didn’t then I knew I needed to find a doctor, there has to be trust. I also noted with just 10 pain pills would help my pain but would not lead to addiction or death but would allow me relief while getting a message or an appointment to him for further treatment or evaluation.

I really looked at the bigger picture of my pain patterns and what had previously worked to relieve pain and what a realistic plan for my pain pattern would look like. I even wrote it down for him.

I really hope others will do this with their PCP or other specialist you feel would work with you. I feel good just knowing I have away to control my pain when it gets into a crisis situation. There is something to knowing you have a pain plan and control.

Sheri