I have 7 herniated disks and DDD
What to expect from a pain management doctor first visit?
- Asked
- 3 Nov 2013 by pusherx6
- Updated
- 6 August 2015
- Topics
- pain, doctor, pain management, management
Responses (4)
Don't expect much mainly take your history and set up a pain regimen. They will offer you tests later in to determine what level your pain is. I was with a pain management for a year and it was a waste of my time. They said no to surgery and my primary said yes so it was a long battle that I one. Be your own advocate. Know your pain and know what your body needs. Have you try a physitry (sp) a pain doctor?
Hi and welcome to DC. This is a great support group for those of us with chronic pain which I am sure you must have with 7 herniated discs. You certainly have me beat.
As far as pain management goes it can vary from doctor to doctor and state to state. They will want to know what you have tried so far. Many options available. When I started they referred me to physical therapy and I signed an agreement to not get pain meds from anywhere else. And agreed to random drug screening. Next I did steroid injections, nerve blocks, nerve function tests. Basically I have tried it all and am still on medication but my pain is finally manageable. I now go every 3 months in order to continue my prescriptions.
I hope you can find the right treatment to help manage your pain. Unfortunately there is no cure for spine conditions , just treatment. I have finally accepted that after 3 years. I hope it goes well and check back in and let us know how it went.
Hi Lucy, I'm glad they were able to help you. I guess I didn't have the best pm team compared to yours.
Lucy explained it. I just want to add, do not ever ask for a narcotic pain med. They then think we're drug seekers and are very reluctant to prescribe anything. Keep a pain diary and keep track of the pain level in the 1-10 format, where it is, what kind it is, aching, burning etc, and what you did for it. I'm going to see a new one since I moved. I was handed a folder full of papers to fill out, by my primary, and that gives a good idea of the first visit. Your history, what makes pain better what makes it worse. I also have the narcotic contract, so you can get a chance to read it well. You will also have random urine tests, some docs do them on the first visit some don't. If you are on several medications, take the info written out, name, dose and how often you take it.
Thanks kaismama, you give us all good answers, and right to the point.
I will be going to a pain clinic next month, & yea I got all those paper to fill
out, some questions do make you think they view us as drug seekers. I'm going for nerve damage in my right foot. Thanks again everyone all answers have help me out alot this is a good website.
Yes, as always kaismama gives great advice. Thanks for all that you do on here.
it can vary quite a bit. the number one thing is don't expect to walk out of there with precriptions(s) in hand on your first visit. that sounds really sh***y, I know. Especially when many people have waited weeks, even months, to get a referral and appointment. This is the number one reason that I've chosen a more expensive PPO option over HMO. its very liberating to be able to go where I want, & not be at the mercy of a GP.
Pain management offices do this "getting to know you" process, its usually a pain in the arse because its designed to frustrate and drive away tbkse that really don't need the meds. They'll give you another reason for it, but its BS. I've seen a few different ones & finally found a great one who doesnt demand that I go to Tai chi, support groups, PT... but rather lets me CHOOSE what interests and works for ME. A good PMD also knows that pain mgt is achieved typically with 2-3 meds, not one.
The "war on drugs" has done nothing but give the drug cartels a whole new client base. I figure a few years from now, one of 2 things will happen, we won't be able to get anything stronger then tylenol legally, or the whole nightmare will go away. Keep an eye on the suicide rate and heroin use in this country.
I agree. I have never went into a new dr of any type, Ortho, Nuero, GP, PM or any and walked out with a narcotic script. I have always had to schedule a second appt for something., I.e., physical, labwork, injection, follow up after a drug test on 1st visit, etc., and find this infuriating when I bring in MRIs, 3 Opinions for 2 surgeries, bloodwork done w/i last 3 mos., all prior dr records and wait, as you said, sometimes 3 plus weeks to get in! One thing you said that really caught my attention is watching for dr who only gives script for 1 thing/1script, bcus that's all my PM dr does, besides inj on every visit. 1 script for pain med. If I don't have an inj scheduled when my pain med is due, I still have to schedule an appt, pay my co-pay, and the nurse hands me my script and asks if my injs are wkg & if I want to sch another inj.

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**won***
I didn't know Phych are also PM drs. Are they a certain kind of specialist? I had asked my phych at one appt if she could write a script for my pain med as I didn't have appt with my PM dr & was going to run out B4 I would C him & was told no, she couldn't write scripts for PM. Where would U look to find this sort of specialist?0
A physical medicine/rehab doctor normally works with of in a neuro surgeons office. They don't really prescribe meds but more or a rehab pt doc.