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Chronic Pain members - Welcome, please introduce yourself
Chronic Pain | Last Active: 19 hours ago | Replies (7067)Comment receiving replies
The pain specialist I've been seeing for several years isn't an opiophobe, but he is certainly an " opioids don't treat neuropathy pain" doctor. He doesn't try to make me stop taking them, though it's pretty clear to me that he doesn't like it. But then, nothing he's had me try has worked, and we've tried a LOT of medications.
Today, I put a coat of deck stain on the railing I built yesterday, and did some yard work preparatory to winter's arrival. With the adjustment of my scs, down one notch from where the rep set it, my pain level is down a notch as well. Of course, it takes a couple of days to know. Sitting with my feet on the ottoman, it's down to 7 - better than 9, for sure.
Looking online for a pain management doctor who isn't afraid to include opioids in the treatments he offers, I found one who was an anesthesiologist for a long time before changing direction to opening a pain clinic. He had a life changing accident that resulted in severe chronic pain, and decided to return to college to train for treating others who are living with the level of pain he lives with. I'm going to call his clinic tomorrow to see if they could help me more than my current doctors are. Their website doesn't mention pain pumps, but who knows. Maybe he would give me unbiased information, being a relative newcomer.
Jim
Replies to "@sunnyflower The pain specialist I've been seeing for several years isn't an opiophobe, but he is..."
@jimhd @faithwalker007 @lorirenee1 @sunnyflower
Please indulge me for a few random thoughts about the posts I have been reading here today:
Jim, I hope this new pain guy is located close to you, like in Bend. Let's hope he becomes the golden ticket you have been seeking, i.e. a normal good guy who will just prescribe what you need. Fingers crossed 🤞.
Renee, you have lived through hell with what you have faced. The fact that you have been so helpful to others on this site is a testament to how much you care for your fellow human beings. I find inhabiting this forum to be a very inspiring experience because of people like yourself.
Lori, you simply channel compassion. I think of all the huge and wonderful hearts I have come to know on Connect, yours might be the hugest. Such a sweet and loving compassion that you share with everybody who comes along here.
Sunny, I am glad you are here. When I saw your first post way back in May or so, I knew immediately that you were a very special person. For starters I had never, until that day, known someone who could have so many things wrong with them and still be functioanally literate. And yet, you are more than that. You are an articulate, highly intelligent, funny and warm lady. I love reading what you have to say, anywhere you say it. I'm sorry you are not appreciated enough by your family, but you are definitely appreciated here!
Sorry, I just wanted to tell each of you how much I appreciate knowing you all here. Best, Hank
Jim, this doc sounds like a gift from God! A doctor who has severe pain and changes his career to help others in pain shows incredible compassion! We all want a doc like this!! I am so happy for you and hope and pray you like him.
I can't wait to hear how it goes. I am behind in my Mayo messages so you may have already answered.
Many blessings and warmest wishes, Sunnyflower
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It’s amazing how different the care is when it comes from a provider who has or does experience Chronic Pain in their life.
Unfortunately it takes something horrific happening in someone’s life to teach them that money isn’t the most important thing to life.
It took someone exactly like this to eventually diagnose me with CRPS. It was a neurologist in Casper. We arrived at his office at 10:30am —the 9th specialist I’d seen in a less than a year— and waited, wondering what this one would say.
Nine hours later at 7:30pm, we began the long journey back to Newcastle with a diagnosis and in shock.
After 2 MRIs, 2 different nerve studies— one peripheral and one central, X-Rays, and numerous reflex, strength, and muscular exams in an eight hour period, Dr. Santiago discussed, examined, and reviewed the results. He finally reached the diagnosis of LUMBOSACRAL PLEXOPATHY from permanent damage sustained in my right total knee replacement in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah Orthopedic Clinic.
He also suspected that I suffered from a severe case of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and referred my case to Interventional Pain Specialist. He confirmed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome with more needles and pain but at least I had a diagnosis even if it was to be the most painful disease known to mankind.
It was almost two years to the day after my knee replacement too. My life didn’t get “better” or “easier” but it at least made more sense.