"Pain management/i forgot to tell you"

I forgot to tell you that if the pain meds don't work, the doc said that I can get steroidal injections 2x a year a the base of my spine.

She said it's a common procedure and usually helps.  However I would probably scream out and cry knowing me, so I am more inclined to just try the mmj again.  (medical marijuana)

I am still suffering to where I can barely stand or walk especially before 2 p.m.

I bought Dr. Teals Epsom salts , which come in lavender chamomile and mint and are supposed to help relax the muscles.  Smells fantastic and can't hurt.

"Pain management clinic"

I'll always tell u the truth, but I frequently have to change names or addresses that sort of thing.

I like to pay attention to numerology even though I don't always understand it.  The assistant at the clinic (who gave me wrong directions and a wrong address)

told me on 10/14 that my appt. is at 1014 elm.  Guess what suite?!  He said 1014!  (he was wrong about the suite)

anywho it is a wife and her brother and those are the only employees.  The brother is very unprofessional and it's a weird set up.  I knew his first name but I did not know whether he was an aide or what the deal was.

He asked me to sit in a particular seat.  I refused because it was set up in a way that if anyone came in I would have gotten hit by the door.  He said "by the way, my name is rob"  I had already finsished all the paperwork and mailed it in.  When he asked me for my insurance cards I only gave him the medicare card since I knew his clinc would not accept Medicaid.

His attempt at taking my b.p. appeared to be his first ever.  He was so awkward I asked him exactly what it is he is trying to do?

I stood on the scale and it said "93"  He said "we don't do pounds, just kilos!"  He tried to get a height measurement and I said "I'm 5'5" He said yeah but I need meters not inches!" (weird)

He stayed in the room during my exam and interview which took nearly 2 hours.  The doc asked me if her brother can "take notes"  (do I have a choice?) I said it would be fine.  But the 2 of them had a very weird dynamic because she wanted to spped through the questions and he kept interrupting.  Sometimes he would tell me the opposite of what she said.

She is a phenomenal doctor.  It was the most thorough exam I have ever had.  She asked me why I have nerve damage?  I said "Well, it is most likely because I am a starvation survivor"  She said she is sorry but she is sure that my hypothesis is correct.  She asked me to try to describe it and I said that it's like thousands of bees stinging my hands and feet 24/7.

She does not recommend pain meds for fibromyalgia however will allow me to take a low dose.  She made recommendations for the marijuana that are different from what they told me at the dispensary.  Bottom line is I don't agree with doctors on every single point, and no doc is going to force us to take their advice.

I do however feel like going to appointments or doing much of anything is really like "going through the motions" because I don't really have hope for any area of my life.

"Long ass disclaimer from the pain management office"

"Doctor Doolittle is extremely strict about prescribing opioids for chronic pain.  In the past 10 yrs. in the u.s., deaths from rx opioid misuse have tripled.  Currently there are more deaths eache yr. from opiod misuse then from auto. accidents.  Dr. D. is strict about opiods because she does not want you to contribute to these stats. and she has developed better methods to control chronic pain.

Dr. D. will NOT prescribe (or will immediately STOP prescribing) opioids:

-if the drug screen and research uncovers problems or inconsistencies
-if you violate the opiod contract even once
-if your opiods are lost or stolen
-if you demand, beg or lie to get opiods

Further info about dr. d.'s opioid policy:

instead uf usin just meds and procedures to dull the sensation of pain, dr. d. takes the time to doa very extensive hx. and exam. of your problem to find the cause of your pain and then educate you on how to manage the cause.  This approach takes more tme by Dr. D. and more patience and diligence on your part but can result in management of your pain without side effects costs and risks of meds. and procedures.  She still uses meds. and procedures but only to the extent that will support you in learning how to manage your pain.  Pain meds will be prescribed in necessary only for a specified period of time and only if you are shwoing objective improvement in your pain control.  If you want to or need to control your pain by the use of opioids, you should find a a dr. who more close mathces your objectives.  You can find this on our website.  BUT just because i included a dr. on this list does not mean the dr will prescribe opiods!

A pain management practice attracts a higher percentage of pts. seeking to use drugs, esp. controlled substances, for other reasons then reasonable pain mgmt..  Also, some pts. choose to use class 1 (illicit/illegal/street) drugs.  We cannot safely treat pts. using these drugs.  For these reasons, we perform drug screening tests before providing prescriptions for FDA controlled meds.  Additionally, periodic drug testing will be used.  The frequency and scheduling of these periodic drug tests will be at the sole discretion of Dr. D.  All drug tests will be at your expense for any amt. not covered by your insurance.

If a drug test shows a positive finding for a med. not prescribed or a negative finding for a controlled med. that u have been prescribed, you will have 2 choices:  You may choose to not use dr. d. (or discontinue to use Dr. D) as your dr. or you may provid another sample and have that sample tested by a certified drug testing lab. at your expense.  With either of these choices or if u do not explicitly choose to provide another sample or u refuse the drug test, this will be your choice and you hold "Steal this urine test medical facility*" and it's employees and dr. d. harmless for your decision.

I understand and voluntarily agree to these policies.

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"The latest with the pain clinic/life in hell"

As you know, it was a 90 day process to get the appt. scheduled with a series of very stressful mishaps.  When I called to book the "medicaid" van, they said, "we don't go to mountain town suburb!"

Back to feeling paralyzed.  I can't function with so much pain as it is!  I call the clinic and tell D. that the van isn't going to take me.  I ask her what would she do if she where in my boat.  "She said I have no idea"  So, she claims she went ahead and cancelled the appt.

All together i've been waiting almost 5 years for pain mgmt.

Now, because the staff at the clinc are all screwed up and don't communicate with one another, i get yet another call today from another secretary at the clinic.  (i cannot believe my life)

She told my v.mail that i have this appt. on weds!  I call her and tell her that the ofc. mgr. cancelled the appt. because the van won't take me and why is it that she doesn't know that?  I said "Geez you guys are all working as individual units, with no communication with the rest of the staff!"

Her response realy impressed me and I thought she was very professional!  She laughed and she said "you aren't kidding, they just hired me here and the communication in this office is lousy!"

She proceeded to advise me to talk to the director of the medicaid van service to complain!

When I called the transport. office I asked to speak to the manager.  Here is what happend i am not kidding you!

hi may i help you i am mary!


me-"Mary, may i please speak to a mgr.?"

mary-"sure no problem, i will transfer you"


bob-"hello, this is bob may i help you?

me-bob are you a mgr?

bob-no i'm not would you like me to transfer you?

me-yes please

jim-hi i'm jim may i help you?

me-jim, are you  a mgr?

jim-no i'm not would you like me to transfer you?

(all together i had to go thru 6 employees before i was sent to the mgr!)

 the whole thing got worked out and i am supposed to go on wednesday.  Ironically, it's because her staff are so disorganized that this ride thing will work out.

Boy, life is exhausting.  I will let you know if this doctor ends up being able to give me a semi normal qol.