#779575 - 10/06/08 10:04 AM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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DanielWA
Veteran
Registered: 02/27/07
Posts: 601
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Hi Slim...
I totally understand trying to find the right doctor and not wanting to be labeled.
When I had to try and find a new doctor, I ended up with one that did continue my patches, but started weening me off my b/t meds on my first visit. I hung in there with him for the fear of looking elsewhere and being labeled.
Fortunatly, he left the practice and I was able to move on. I did hear about a few docs in that time, and I actually called the clinics, told them that I was on opiate therapy and asked if that was something that their doctors would continue. Some flat out said no, and some said they would, obviously if deemed apporpriate.
Start googling pain clinics/doc in your area, and start calling, telling them that you will most likely be needing opiate therapy, that you have records, and ask if that is something that they could do, if necessary...at least you know which ones not to bother with.
Also...The first clinic I was referred to, was the best. It was located at a hospital that had a great pain management program. Hosptials and teaching hospitals associated with universites are great places to look into. If you have any of those in the area, I would really look into that. They tend to have seen everything, and seem to be more liberal, if meds are needed.
Keep us up to date...best of luck!
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#780294 - 10/07/08 09:28 AM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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DanielWA
Veteran
Registered: 02/27/07
Posts: 601
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Hi Slim...
Gosh...why does things have to be so difficult? I understand your situation. Although I am on my husbands insurance, and it's decent, they only accept so many docs as well.
I also take care of my 80 yr old mother, who is on Medicare, and then has Tricare for back up...the doctor she sees now no longer takes Medicare, but he takes such good care of her and prescribes for her backpain. She wanted to look elsewhere, but I told her she would have a hard time finding another who would take care of her back pain like he does. Thankfully, she only has to see him 4 times a yr, and they do give her a discount as well. He is not a pain doctor, and she gets Oxycontin, and I just stop by each month and pick up her script...she's very lucky. I have to make a 40 minute trip each month to see my pain doc to get mine. Go figure!
Slim...do you have an appt set up yet? If so, when is it? I am hoping like you, that at least one of those will be good for you. Is there anyway you can find out if any is more compassionate then the others?
Dani
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#780691 - 10/07/08 06:21 PM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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DanielWA
Veteran
Registered: 02/27/07
Posts: 601
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OMG Slim...You sure have a great sense of humor! Thanks for the laughs.
Hey, no problem on the username...I am the one that made it! LOL. Honestly, when I signed up, I thought I would maybe post once or twice and didn't give much thought to a good user name, so I just abbrivated my full name, which is the french version of "Daniel"...the WA, was for the state I once lived in...ya, I know...not too creative.
Well my friend...the GOOD news is that you do have all those blocks in your records, and any good doc in their right mind, wouldn't continue to keep going. I honestly think you have jumped through all the hoops required, and unless there is some miracle treatment out there that they have developed in the last 6 months, I just don't know what would be holding them back from opiate therapy...unless their just plain ol' d*cks!
If, in the meantime, he does want you to try something else (procedure wise), I would certainly hope that he would at least increase your meds, to hold you over, and keep your pain level decreased, while waiting to see whatever else he thinks might work.
Let me know if you have anymore questions, or any after the Dr. appt. I will PM you so you can ask that way, as I don't always see all posts and I might miss yours.
Hang in there!
Dani
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#781008 - 10/08/08 10:54 AM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: DanielWA]
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slimpickins
Newbie
Registered: 09/27/08
Posts: 36
Loc: AL
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Hi Dani,
I try to be funny occasionally- it seems to help me with my depression. If you got a laugh from something I said, well that makes my day! I hope you're right about jumping through all the hoops...I think they should realize that I've agreed to try everything my docs have suggested including surgery and nothing has helped. I don't see any other option except medication at this point. It is however, quite possible, that, as you say, I'll have to deal with doctors, that are just plain ol'...... "ducks" (wahhh...ha,ha,ha!). 
I might agree to have another procedure (knocked out) if he will do as you suggest and increase my meds enough to let me get out of this damn bed. I feel like a prisoner confined to my bedroom. I can't keep doing this...5 months of lying in the bed over 23 hours a day is really sucking!
I'll be sure to post after I go to the new doc. You can PM me if you want, but due to me not having 25 posts (grrrr) I can't PM anyone yet. Thanks for your concern.
Mike
_________________________
I remember,
We were flying along and hit something in the air;
Life is flowing out my body,
Pain is flowing out with my blood. DOA- Bloodrock
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#781091 - 10/08/08 12:57 PM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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Ballerina59
Threadhead
Registered: 04/19/08
Posts: 807
Loc: Dancing in the falling snow
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#781118 - 10/08/08 01:38 PM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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DanielWA
Veteran
Registered: 02/27/07
Posts: 601
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Hey Slim...
Just wanted to let you know that I did get your PM..it did go through! 
You know, depression is such a huge part of chronic pain, and I am not sure if the pain makes the depression worse, or the depression makes the pain worse. I would bet, that both are true.
When you meet with your new doc, remember to stress the point that you just want your quality of life back. That you have tried everything, and that you need help...NOW!
Although docs are scared to prescribe for many reasons, some DEA, some the fear of addiction and diversion, there are meds out there that do have a reputation of being less of a problem. For instance, my new doctor had no problem keeping me on my patches, in fact, offered to up the dose, but wanted me off of the oxycodone breakthrough meds ASAP, even though the medication in the patches is stronger, but I guess he felt that it was harder to abuse. So...hopefully, he may feel comfortable prescibing meds like that...I sure hope so. It sounds as though you will be needing something in your system 27/7...gosh, there are even morphine pumps that THEY can set the limit to, also.
I will PM you back soon...have to run some kids around now.
Hang in there, and tell your depression to kiss your A**!
Edited by DanielWA (10/08/08 01:42 PM)
Edit Reason: still learning to spell
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#781120 - 10/08/08 01:47 PM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: slimpickins]
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dawn147
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 05/08/07
Posts: 1497
Loc: somewhere in time
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Hi Dani, I try to be funny occasionally- it seems to help me with my depression. If you got a laugh from something I said, well that makes my day! I hope you're right about jumping through all the hoops...I think they should realize that I've agreed to try everything my docs have suggested including surgery and nothing has helped. I don't see any other option except medication at this point. It is however, quite possible, that, as you say, I'll have to deal with doctors, that are just plain ol'...... "d ucks" (wahhh...ha,ha,ha!). I might agree to have another procedure (knocked out) if he will do as you suggest and increase my meds enough to let me get out of this damn bed. I feel like a prisoner confined to my bedroom. I can't keep doing this...5 months of lying in the bed over 23 hours a day is really sucking! I'll be sure to post after I go to the new doc. You can PM me if you want, but due to me not having 25 posts (grrrr) I can't PM anyone yet. Thanks for your concern. Mike
_________________________
The most difficult thing to do is to do nothing at all
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#781295 - 10/08/08 06:28 PM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: DanielWA]
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slimpickins
Newbie
Registered: 09/27/08
Posts: 36
Loc: AL
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Hey Dani,
I'm glad you got the PM back from me. I think you're exactly right that depression and pain intermingle- they are, I believe, evil demon twins sent by satan to do his bidding. I think it's possible to have depression without having pain but I also think that if you have chronic pain, depression will surely visit you eventually. It's a given.
I will definitely stress to the doc that I've tried everything and that I want my quality of life back. That's exactly the type of thing I need from some of you old hands- tips that I can use when talking to the doc. I'm not too good at being pushy with docs but I'll try to make my points. It's strange but I can give most people (insurance co. reps, bosses, auto dealers etc.) hell if I need to and I don't usually take much sh** off of anybody but to me docs are different. I guess I don't wanna pi** them off and cause them to have to check my prostate or give me a shot in the *ss. They can literally cause you pain if they want to, all in the name of medicine.
I'd be fine with patches if they'll reduce my pain. I don't have to get "high" on pain meds. The only thing I want is to be able to manage my pain. Hell, I'd eat some rabbit pills if I thought it would help my pain.
Hey depression...Dani said to tell you to kiss my A**!! You got that? Don't make her have to tell me again! 
_________________________
I remember,
We were flying along and hit something in the air;
Life is flowing out my body,
Pain is flowing out with my blood. DOA- Bloodrock
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#781409 - 10/09/08 12:02 AM
Re: Need good PM doctor in Birmingham
[Re: nitemoon]
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slimpickins
Newbie
Registered: 09/27/08
Posts: 36
Loc: AL
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I bet they're taking the Chevelle to Huntsville Dragway. Man I love that track. Talk about bad-a** racing, I've seen some of the best racing events ever at Huntsville. ORSCA 10.5 Outlaws, Pro- Mods, they even had NHRA Top Fuel dragsters running the 1/8 mile there about 3-4 years ago (Clay Millican won $100,000). George Howard is one of the best small track promoters there's ever been. Great Track!
I know, I'm definitly off-topic...sorry I got carried away. I understand you not wanting to go to Huntsville Dragway. You're absolutely right, that concrete slab you have to sit on is a killer. It sounds like you need pain meds worse than me- at least I do have some. I hate to hear that you're suffering so bad and at 30 that's even worse. I'm hoping that you find a good clinic soon.
Did you read my PM yet? It's probably too expensive but if you have good records it sounds like a sure thing, and probably legal too.
Good luck, hope you feel better soon. Best wishes.
_________________________
I remember,
We were flying along and hit something in the air;
Life is flowing out my body,
Pain is flowing out with my blood. DOA- Bloodrock
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