With Gratitude...(kinda long, sorry)

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I just wanted to take a minute to tell you all how grateful I am you

are here. I haven't been posting much because I am still in so much

pain that by the time I get off work (working on a computer all day)

I just cannot seem to force myself to sit down in front of another

computer. It's only been one month since my first appointment with

the PM doctor but what we have learned is that the medication he had

me on is woefully inadequate!

Anyway, I feel it's important that you all know how much of a role

you play in other's peoples lives. I had my second appointment today

at the PM doctor's office and this time it was with the physician's

assistant guy. (I call them 'wanna-be' doctors!) Anyway, the nurse

tells me, ok it looks like you are scheduled for a trigger point

injection and/or some kind of myofacial deep muscle tissue massage.

I just looked at her and said " Excuse me?? " I preceeded to tell her

I believed this to be a regular follow-up appointment and that I was

not comfortable having any kind of procedures done on me at this

time. When the PA came in, he started out trying to 'convince' me

that the trigger point injection was in my best interests and could

possibly decrease some of the pain.

I calmly told him that I am at the beginning of a 'reconditioning'

program and I feel it's important not to add any 'trauma' to that

program. My body wouldn't know the injection or deep tissue massage

was being done voluntarily, it would still take it as an insult. I

just keep basically saying the same thing, I was not there to have

any procedures done, but I WAS there to discuss some ways to modify

the pain management program in order to actually decrease the level

of pain I have been in.

Where this all comes back to you all is this... if not for you all

sharing your experiences on how to effectively deal with medical

personnel and how to stand up for my rights when it comes to things

being done to my body, I would not have had the courage to defend

my 'reconditioning' program and I would have allowed that 'wanna-be'

to do his procedures on me. Without your encouragement and words of

wisdom, I would have given his 'professional opinion' more value than

my own intuition.

The other information you all have provided relates to pain scales.

I have struggled and struggled with how to present to the doctors

what my pain levels are in a way that allows us all to be 'on the

same page'. I watched the 'pain scales' thread on here recently very

very closely. And of course, you all came through for me once

again! I found the personalized pain scale and created one for

myself that is just perfect! I have sent a copy of it to ALL the

professionals assisting me right now so there will be absolutely NO

ROOM for misinterpretation of what I am saying when I tell them what

pain level I'm at. They simply have to refer to the scale I provided

for them to know exactly what I am talking about. Accomplishing this

one seemingly small project has relieved so much stress and pressure

for me, I can't thank you enough!

After the appointment today, I actually felt like this PA had a

little respect for me. I presented him with a 'Pain Journal' with

entries for 'a.m., noon, and night' pain levels for each day for the

last month, where the pain was, and what the pain felt like

(stabbing, throbbing, etc.). This was stapled to a summary that I

had typed up giving him a brief (one page) overview of what patterns

I could see happening with the pain during the last month. I also

included a few pages of 'observations' from my roommate that told the

doc what he had observed as far as my behavior. And of course,

stapeled in with the packet was my Personalized Pain Scale! So I

think the PA was a little impressed with my preparation and most

importantly, I am convinced he believes in my committment to myself

and my 'reconditioning' program.

So as you can see, you all have been an awesome influence on me since

I became part of this group. Hopefully soon I can be a better, more

active participant!

Thank you wonderful people and please, take care of

yourselves...you're important!

Gentle Hugs,

Tammie