Communicating with your doctor

[Guest guest]

Ted,

Are you seeing a competent specialist who regularly sees patients with your

particular chronic pain condition? I always feel a little intimidated in talking

to doctors. It takes some time to form a good relationship with our docs. I

think it's important to get to the point quickly as their time is so limited. We

need to be succinct and specific. Try to keep emotions at bay. It can be

difficult because chronic pain like what we deal with can wreak havoc with our

emotions in no time. A good doc will listen and be engaged with you in order to

help in whatever way they can.

What has helped me in forming a good relationship with my PM doc is that when he

has referred me to a different specialist I have always gone and the specialist

calls my PM doc to discuss my case. That way, my PM doc knows that I am doing

everything I can do (even proceeding with strongly recommended surgery) to help

myself. Plus, my doc has often seen my BP rise sharply due to the CRPS pain. We

have formed a good relationship over time and he completely believes the reality

of my pain.

This morning was so bad! I stayed in bed crying because the pain was out of

control. That's the worst! My hubby also lives with severe chronic pain,

pudental nerve damage. I'm very fortunate because we completely understand what

each other deals with. But we practically live like hermits! Family and friends

try to understand but how can they? I'm venting.

Take care, Ted! I truly hope your doctor is compassionate and caring in helping

you manage your pain.

~Carol

>Ted wrote:

>A particularly frustrating case of this is when dealing with a doctor who, on

the one hand is doing the job of treating pain, while on the other hand not

fully believing that there is actually a " real " problem.

>Has anyone found ways of talking with the doctor and being sure you were taken

seriously?