Guest guest Posted October 6, 2003 Report Share Posted October 6, 2003 What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 OK--first of all, morphine is an excellent pain med. It is addictive, as most are, and you do develop tolerances where they have to increase the doses. If It doesn't make you nauseated it should really help. You've already been on methadone, right? Well, that was developed to replace heroin for addicts (well, originally meant to cure the heroin addiction, but then people became addicted to methadone). Heroin was developed to get people off morphine. And so it goes. As for the intrathecal pump, I've had a fair number of patients on them. Most of the patients were paraplegics and were having spasm problems--in one case that I remember the guy was an addict and the Doc wanted to give him the pain control without handing him the pills. At any rate--the pump is implanted under the skin, all the patients I had it was either on their side or abd, and a tube runs (again under the skin) from the pump to the spine. The pump can be refilled by the Doc as needed and can be reset without more surgery. It is wonderful because it delivers a constant low dose (well, the dose is adjustable but because it is constant you usually need less meds) of the pain med providing excellent pain control. Sometimes two meds can be combined (I had one patient receiving methadone and an antispasmodic--which one I can't recall) and both delivered from the one pump. The pumps may be smaller now, but the ones I saw were about the size of a hockey puck. The major concerns---first, of course, is that it is surgically implanted with the usual surgical risks; second make sure that you discuss placement with the surgeon very carefully so that the pump isn't in a spot that won't work for you. These spots would be where clothing is tighter--your waistbands for instance--that one is obvious; but, make sure that the surgeon also considers where your bones are--by which I mean, for instance, that when you are sitting (unless you have perfect posture and untiring muscles, LOL) your ribcage is most likely closer to your pelvic bones than when you are standing. You don't want it in a place that will irritate your bones, that can defeat the purpose. Also, if you have crohn's that may need to be considered in placement--maybe not, but with my IBS I find that when it is active certain height waistbands can put pressure so that I need to run more often. Also, one last thing, with the morphine constipation can be a big problem (although not as much when you are getting a constant low dose) so make extra sure to drink lots of fluids, eat lots of fruit and fiber, move around as much as you can (which shouldn't be a big problem with less pain) and keep track of your BMs so that you don't allow yourself to go too long between since you may not feel uncomfortable until later in the constipation than you would without the pain med. And of course, the driving--you will need to adjust to the morphine level because at first you may get sleepy or dizzy. I think that's all--but if I missed something ask. The patient's I had had excellent results with them. I did have one paraplegic drug addict who had to have a second one put in because the first one got screwed up but we think he was trying to mess with it thinking he could get more meds by resetting it himself. He was also an idiot--did I mention that? LOL OH--they refill it through the skin with a non-coring needle, usually I'm thinking it was like once a month, but of course that would depend on your dose. Kathy Good or Bad? Well.... another change. I went to the pain management doc and he said that after looking at my labs and doing an exam, he wanted to go up on my pain meds. Finally. Great news to me... but he put me on morphine. That makes me think I have something wrong with me hehehe. OK, who else is on it? Tell me everything you know! I take it 2 times a day and it's time-released. He wants to see how I handle it and then he wants to do an "intrathecal pump." I have a lot of research to do tonight! I will admit that when I took one at noon and went to take my nap, normally when I get up I am in such pain that I can't stand up straight for several minutes. Today I stood straight up and also had no hip pain when I walked. I hope this isn't just a coincidence. I enjoyed that!! Christy "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo EmersonPlease visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Since pain management is their specialty there are several advantages. They're up on the latest of everything and what works for what type of pain. They tend to be more willing to use more aggressive treatment of pain and less concerned with the whole addiction/tolerance issue while being careful about the abuse issue. AND they are also more plugged in to alternative/additional pain control methods like biofeedback, massage, meditation, etc. Of course as with any specialty, some are good, some are bad. And of course, our government's idiot approach to pain control (and that isn't meant as a political thing--it crosses all parties) has caused some to be over-cautious in the number of scripts they give over-all in their practice because in some cases the government has taken pain-control Doc's licenses for over prescribing pain meds....hence my use of the term idiot, LOL. Kathy RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 , The pain management doc at our office prescribes meds at a dose that helps the pain enough to keep patients functioning & as comfortable as possible. The other orthos at the office don't like to authorize refills for his patients because they're not comfortable with such high doses of pain meds. He follows patients closely, changes meds as needed to maintain best quality of life. He also prescribes physical therapy, epidural injections when appropriate; pain meds are last resort, but then he gives a med & a dose that helps the patient live as well as possible. I don't know if this is true of all pain management docs. -- RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Christy, I don't have time to search right now, but there is a Partners Against Pain website with current info regarding pain management. It'll probably be tomorrow before I can search (it was on the other computer), so you may find it before I do. -- Good or Bad? Well.... another change. I went to the pain management doc and he said that after looking at my labs and doing an exam, he wanted to go up on my pain meds. Finally. Great news to me... but he put me on morphine. That makes me think I have something wrong with me hehehe. OK, who else is on it? Tell me everything you know! I take it 2 times a day and it's time-released. He wants to see how I handle it and then he wants to do an "intrathecal pump." I have a lot of research to do tonight! I will admit that when I took one at noon and went to take my nap, normally when I get up I am in such pain that I can't stand up straight for several minutes. Today I stood straight up and also had no hip pain when I walked. I hope this isn't just a coincidence. I enjoyed that!! Christy "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo EmersonPlease visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 My pain management doc knows a lot more methods of relieving pain than my other docs do. They aren't even familiar with half of what he has me on! I'll tell you one thing: I was able to wash my hair this morning without resting and usually I have to stop and rest because my arms and shoulders hurt so bad or Ronnie has to finish it and rinse it for me! Today was wonderful! RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Thanks for the great information Kathy! That's better than anything I could find online: personal knowledge!!!! I really appreciate it! I admit I'm a bit nervous and very concerned. Kinda like getting your diagnosis. Now there's something really wrong with me, ya know? I kinda wish they would just say "We don't see anything in these results or scans that would make you hurt so you don't get any drugs." Good or Bad? Well.... another change. I went to the pain management doc and he said that after looking at my labs and doing an exam, he wanted to go up on my pain meds. Finally. Great news to me... but he put me on morphine. That makes me think I have something wrong with me hehehe. OK, who else is on it? Tell me everything you know! I take it 2 times a day and it's time-released. He wants to see how I handle it and then he wants to do an "intrathecal pump." I have a lot of research to do tonight! I will admit that when I took one at noon and went to take my nap, normally when I get up I am in such pain that I can't stand up straight for several minutes. Today I stood straight up and also had no hip pain when I walked. I hope this isn't just a coincidence. I enjoyed that!! Christy "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo EmersonPlease visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 LOL--no you don't! Then you'd get to keep having bad pain with no treatment! Kathy Good or Bad? Well.... another change. I went to the pain management doc and he said that after looking at my labs and doing an exam, he wanted to go up on my pain meds. Finally. Great news to me... but he put me on morphine. That makes me think I have something wrong with me hehehe. OK, who else is on it? Tell me everything you know! I take it 2 times a day and it's time-released. He wants to see how I handle it and then he wants to do an "intrathecal pump." I have a lot of research to do tonight! I will admit that when I took one at noon and went to take my nap, normally when I get up I am in such pain that I can't stand up straight for several minutes. Today I stood straight up and also had no hip pain when I walked. I hope this isn't just a coincidence. I enjoyed that!! Christy "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo EmersonPlease visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Wow! That's pretty good for so soon on the morphine! That's wonderful! I usually have to rest while doing it too--luckily we have a seat in the shower so I can sit and adjust the spray to hit where I want it. That way I can wet my head while sitting without use of my arms, use my arms to shampoo, rinse just using arms to double check that it is all out. When I dry off I stick my head in a towel and wait for awhile before I comb out. If I need to style it sometimes takes awhile. When we were in Vegas I washed and styled in the spa right after my massage and it didn't take long at all. But, since I can't afford a live-in masseuse.... Kathy RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 I found it www.partnersagainstpain.com Thanks... lots of good info and free stuff Good or Bad? Well.... another change. I went to the pain management doc and he said that after looking at my labs and doing an exam, he wanted to go up on my pain meds. Finally. Great news to me... but he put me on morphine. That makes me think I have something wrong with me hehehe. OK, who else is on it? Tell me everything you know! I take it 2 times a day and it's time-released. He wants to see how I handle it and then he wants to do an "intrathecal pump." I have a lot of research to do tonight! I will admit that when I took one at noon and went to take my nap, normally when I get up I am in such pain that I can't stand up straight for several minutes. Today I stood straight up and also had no hip pain when I walked. I hope this isn't just a coincidence. I enjoyed that!! Christy "The reward of a thing well done, is to have done it." -Ralph Waldo EmersonPlease visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Pain management doctors do exactly what the name suggests. They concentrate on managing your meds so that your pain can be handled in such a way as to give you a better lifestyle. My doc ran lots of blood tests to verify what was causing my pain and then began changing pain meds and dosages to provide me with a better controlled pain quotient at all times. We're still working on this but he has suggested the intrathecal pump as a means of better controlling my pain. Jane RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 7, 2003 Report Share Posted October 7, 2003 Pain management doctors do exactly what the name suggests. They concentrate on managing your meds so that your pain can be handled in such a way as to give you a better lifestyle. My doc ran lots of blood tests to verify what was causing my pain and then began changing pain meds and dosages to provide me with a better controlled pain quotient at all times. We're still working on this but he has suggested the intrathecal pump as a means of better controlling my pain. Jane RE: Good or Bad? What difference does a pain management doc do that others don't do??? I have no idea if I'm making sense or not. I go back to the doc Wed to talk about my hip, I can barely even tell when I'm taking the oxycodone at 15mg every 4 hours. At least I don't get the rebound headaches like I was getting with the demerol. Please visit our website at:http://ACES_Autoimmune.tripod.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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