Pain management doctor??!!

    • Anonymous
      August 5, 2009 at 12:01 am

      Well, I finally went to a pain management doctor for the terrible pain I have been having in my hands and feet from CIDP. My PA(physician assistant) started me on Cymbalta 20 mg and Vicodin for occasional use for the pain. I was on Cymbalta 30 mg before, which did help, but the side effects were bad and had to quit. I was there for 2 1/2 hours and saw the doctor for 15 minutes!! I had to fill out about three sets of paperwork, then the girl comes in and takes my vitals and goes over everything I just wrote down, then the doctor’s nurse came in and went over it again and asked a few questions, then the PA came in and asked questions, then finally the doctor came in and told me to stay on what I was taking. That was it, I couldn’t believe it. It was like this big build up for the entrance of the doctor (he must of thought he was God):mad: . I have been getting some relief with the 20 mg of Cymbalta and the side effects are not as bad. My PA said not to take the Vicodin every day and the Pain Mngmt doctor said I could take one every day. I was wondering does anyone take an anti-depressant along with a Xanax (needed it after seeing the pain management doctor)? I notice I can’t sleep well at night, I don’t know if you can take an anti-depressant and a Xanax. I take the Cymbalta in the morning.

      Linda – Great news about the Namenda. Glad you feel better. You are in my prayers.
      Clare in Michigan

    • Anonymous
      August 5, 2009 at 1:26 am

      Clare,

      I too, deal with a Pain Management Dr. (a clinic really) I don’t know who pushed the legislation, or the process or whatever, but regular Dr.s are more and more skeptical about dealing with long term pain management. I take more pain meds than you, and have to jump hoops. Urine tests, bloodwork, and them making you feel a bit like a junkie. I find it demeaning, but I need the meds and this is the process. It took me a while to get them to respond to my needs correctly, but we have been on a better footing these last six months and mypain is being managed somewhat.

      I can give you a couple of reasons why….. Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson. Also Brett Farve and who knows how many other celebs who have fed their addiction through Doctor shopping and alias’s etc. Pain clinics try to tie this all up. It makes it harder on the honest one’s of us.

      The Dr.s are anasthesiologists. And yes, I think many Dr.s think that their poop doesn’t stink and that their patients cannot possibly know more than they do.

      Good luck
      Dick S

    • Anonymous
      August 5, 2009 at 2:14 pm

      xanax is a benzo and all the people around me who take antidepressents also have a benzodiazapine script so I would imagine that it is common. panic disorders can run in hand with depression.

      doctors are arogant sobs when you find a good one hang on tight because they are few and far between.

      to respond to dick s I read that there has been an 80% increase in script abuse over the last 6 years and perscription abuse is more prevelant than street drugs . It really makes it difficult for the ones really in pain. at least the moneys going to american pharmecutical and not the drug cartels lol.

      oh and I want to mention that I have heard that xanax is highly physically addictive. it should be taken as needed. I have heard that it is more difficult to get off of than a narcotics addiction.

    • Anonymous
      August 5, 2009 at 10:05 pm

      Benzo’s (Xanax) are highly addictive. If the Cymbalta is making you ill then slowly taper off.
      Please find a good pain doctor who specialists in just pain patients. Primary care docs are afraid of prescribing any pain meds.
      Antidepressants are being used “off label” to supposedly help with pain.
      If you’re in pain then please take your medicine. I also must have drug checks but if it means I get the prescriptions refilled I do it. I understand the physicians fear.
      You’ve been diagnosed with a very rare disease and it will take more effort to get the docs to listen. My doc keeps asking when my CIDP will go away or am I having to still have infusions. I shake my head and reply-Does MS go away??

    • Anonymous
      August 5, 2009 at 11:51 pm

      Wow! I am beginning to realize I must be one of the luckiest people around to have my doctor!

      Clare – when you can’t take it any more, come on down – I have a very nice room with your name on it and I’ll take you to my neuro!!!! :rolleyes:

      But seriously, I recommend you call your pharmacist. They truly know more about the various medicines and how they interact than most doctors. I use to have one of those mail prescription services, but since getting CIPD, I moved all my meds to Walgreens and sent them a letter explaining my illness (I chose Walgreens since they are so accessible). Now I am on a first name basis with my local pharmacist and I get great advice about how all my meds, not just the ones for my CIDP, but all my meds including supplements work together or sometimes work in opposition. I consider her a very valued member of my CIPD team! (And she also advises me on when and how many Margaritas I can have 😀 ).

      I really am truly sorry for all the medical care problems so many of you go through with this illness. Every day with every post I read, I realize how amazingly blessed I am with my doctor. I wish every single person finds truly giving doctors. This is one of the most difficult challenges I’ve faced and I can’t imagine having to fight with the people I depend on for my well being.

    • Anonymous
      August 6, 2009 at 11:35 pm

      Did any of you get the Foundation mail out this past week? I got mine today and there is some really good info on the drugs they use for GBS and CIDP. It was broken down with side effects, cost, how they work. I found it very informative.

    • Anonymous
      August 7, 2009 at 1:08 am

      I got my mail out this week as well. I also found it interesting and my hubby also read it and came to ask me questions about which meds I am on. I am having a terrbile time with sweating and this hot weather isn’t helping. He noted that my meds could be casusing the sweating!

      Rhonda

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    • Anonymous
      August 28, 2009 at 1:26 pm

      [QUOTE=Rhonda]I got my mail out this week as well. I also found it interesting and my hubby also read it and came to ask me questions about which meds I am on. I am having a terrbile time with sweating and this hot weather isn’t helping. He noted that my meds could be casusing the sweating!Rhonda[/QUOTE]

      [FONT=”Georgia”][SIZE=”2″][COLOR=”Sienna”]I read recently that CIDP patients, a huge majority, something in the 90% range, have a problem with hot weather, hot homes, etc. I have terrible head sweats, day or night … water running down the front of my face, down my neck and back, etc. That, I know, is a possible side effect of neurontin/gabapentin. Something I just have to live with, I guess.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT] 🙂