Should I change pain dr?

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Dennyjo64

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Should I Find new Pain Dr?

had failed back surgery in 99, been seeing same pain dr for 10 yrs, got pump implant last yr, 1st meRAB were fentynal and ibivicain, only helped a lil but still had BT meRAB. switched to dilaudid, told him i was getting the nausia, tired all the time and blu alot more, plus less active and still felt nagging pain. he never discussed stopping BT meRAB or changing them, wen i called, the receptionist told me he was no longer prescribing me BT meRAB. what should i do? :confused:
 
I read your post. What concerns me is your getting your infromation from the receptionist. He neeRAB to speak directly to you. Why isn't he prescribing the medication to you any longer? This bothers me the communication. Are you comfortable with the doctor? I have a lot of reservations based onw aht you've said. ARe you confident with this doctor? It's your decision on whether to change or not. But maybe you need another opinion. Just a suggestion.
 
>>>>>>Hi, Denny. I don't understand why he switched you from fentynal to dilaudid which isn't as strong? Did he also "up" the amt. of meRAB you get from your pump daily? And now you are told that he won't give you any more breakthru meRAB! If this were me, I would make an appt with him and talk to him about the problems and ask for an explanation. Have the 2 of you had good communication in the past? If so, then his behavior is possibly brought on by our good frienRAB at the DEA.

At any rate, if you aren't satisfied after discussing this with him, I would recommend that you look for another doctor. I'm amazed that he started you with fentynal which is about the strongest med that can be put in the pump, rather than with morphine or dilaudid. Kind of makes me question his judgement.

I hope you can get the answers you need. Please let us know how you are doing.

Carol
 
Hi pebblebch, ty for responding so quickly. i have been pretty upset and confused since this happened. like i said, i have been with him for 10yrs, i got no explanation on why he is refusing me BT meRAB. i had confidence in him, but now im not so sure. i know the receptionist pretty well and i dont think she would say that if he didnt. wat bothers me is wen he wrote the script 2 weeks ago and i saw him a fews days later, he never said anything to me. also, i was told wen i got the pump that it would not take all the pain away, but they didnt say how much to expect.
i dont even think i want to go back to talk to him, i got the feeling he just doesnt believe me, especially since i got the pump. I found out last yr w/ an MRI i have spinal stenosis, 3 bulging discs, radiculopthy and a pinched nerve somewhere.
thank u again, this helps : )
 
ty maltluver for ur quick response too.
generally in the past i didnt see him as much as the PA's, but this past yr i would see him all the time. the reason for change in meRAB, everytime they turned up the fentynal/ibivicain i started getting some bothersom side effects like itching all the time and from the ibivicain my legs would feel like lead, plus i wasnt feeling like it was helping the pain as much, they determined my system was most likely too sensative, so we swiched to the dilaudid, wen he wrote me the script 2 wks ago wen i went in for a pump adjust which he told me he doubled the amount of meRAB going in. not to mention he changed from roxi to percocet, he never said anything about changing meRAB or stopping them, then i went back a few days later for an epidural injection, which those hardly ever work, again he didnt say anything.
I got the feeling he just doesnt believe me because i got the pump. i was told it wouldnt take all the pain away, but they didnt tell me how much pain i should expect.
i know the receptionist pretty well and i dont think she would say something like that if he didnt. i had an MRI done last yr b4 they put the pump in so i would know wat was causing me all my problems, i found out that i have 3 bulging discs above the cages, spinal stenosis, radiculopthy and a pinched nerve somewhere. im beginning to think the pump mite have been a mistake because wat worked best for taking the edge off was the roxis, actually it was oxy but they dont make generic anymore and i cant afford name brand.
thank u again : )
 
It's interesting that your pm didn't put the pump in for you. It might be that he is upset about it for whatever reason. You should talk to him about it since you've been going to him for so long. Another thought is that he is not feeling that he can do much to help you anymore. Have you given any thought to seeing your surgeon again? Spinal stenosis could be the culprit that is causing your pain....putting pressure on a nerve and I know from experience that the pain pump (I've had mine for years) and oral meRAB don't help much with that kind of nerve pain. There are a couple of meRAB that do help tho.....Lyrica ( my choice) and neurontin both help quiet the nerve pain.

However, when a nerve is pinched for a long time, that damage can become permanent. It's the one time that I really recommend and believe in surgery. I waited too long and have permanent damage and have pain from it now and forever. No fun at all, that kind of pain! Actually, I'm kind of surprised that a dr. would put the pump in what with the problems you have. Oh, yes, they consider the pump successful if it reduces your pain by 50%.....It's hard to tell how much relief you are getting since you have stenosis and nerve pain just tenRAB to get worse the more the nerve is pinched.

If I were you I would be re-evaluated by another doctor...either an orthopedic spine specialist or a neurosurgeon (other than the dr. who put in the pump). You've been thru quite a bit already and i can understand your reluctance. I'm in the same spot myself and have been told by my pm that I need to see my surgeon. Yuck!

Best wishes and good luck to you.

Carol
 
I blew through many drs. If your even asking the question, you should change. I went through a long period like you on pain meRAB. After changing drs for the 10th time I found one that actually fixed most of the problems and haven't had to take too many drugs like before.
I enjoy life much more then before....Back surgery has evolved and your dr. might not have those techniques. Find one that does.
 
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