My Options For Back Pain Treatment

[notcharlotte]

It makes me furious to see the lengths doctors will go through to avoid prescribing pain meds. I'm sorry to hear about the lack of care. You do need a diagnosis and a doctor who will work with you. Your own doctor can't even call you back. Good luck.

 

[shaynagrl]

My PCP dr. finally called me back -- today is her last day.  She is semi-retiring and will not be working at that practice anymore.  She and I had a good talk, and she is infuriated that the ortho doc has left me in pain for almost a month.  She has referred me to another PCP dr in her (soon to be former) practice, and I have an appointment with him tomorrow.

She also gave me the names of a practice of female drs if I prefer (I have no gender preference, but strangely enough, my husband prefers female drs, and she was his dr as well!).  She also gave me the name of 2 doctors at a local spine clinic.

She said that it is perfectly reasonable for the PCP dr to give me something to tide me over with my pain until after the epidural or even after that, if it is needed.  I sure hope the new guy feels as she does!

 

[Binky]

Hello shayna. I'm so glad that your PCP was so understanding & she was able to give you some good advice about some other doctors for you to see. Best of luck with the new PCP tomorrow. And I really hope that he will give you something for your pain. Hang in there.

 

[Guest]

Hi Binky! 

Excellent news Shayna.  You are making progress.  I am sorry that it all moves so slow.  

Best of luck with your new PCP's visit today.  

Please make an appointment w/one of the spine clinic docs asap.  When you call to make the appointment, make sure they know that you have a recent MRI.  May change the tone/content/point of your first spine clinic appointment. 

Look forward to your update.   Maybe your new PCP would script you some muscle relaxers too, and/or some Lidoderm patches.  

Hang in there, 

SM 

 

[shaynagrl]

Today was very productive with mixed results.

I saw my new PCP this afternoon. He was very down to earth and seemed to have an abundant amount of common sense. I went over my whole saga with him including the lack of information from the orthopedist doctor. He agrees that the epidural in my back is a good next step. He also had no problem scripting me some temporary pain relief. He gave me the same that the hospital gave me but a larger quantity. He said to let him know if I need more and he would work it out with me.

In the mail today I got my paperwork for my upcoming lumbar epidural. It turns out that none of the anesthesiologists in that practice are in my insurance company's network. I called the insurance company and had a lovely chat with the CSR who answered the phone. She herself has had a multitude of back issues and is familiar with my struggle. She made several helpful recommendations to assist me in navigating through my benefits. I am going to call the place where I currently have the epidural scheduled in the morning and find out more information. I may be able to still get the epidural done at that place but may need to have a different anesthesiologist to the procedure, or I might have to reschedule the procedure at a different facility who uses in-network anesthesiologists.

I am looking at this as a blessing either way. I haven't been happy with my orthopedist and I am none too attached to any facility he recommends at this point. Once my pain is better managed, then maybe I can approach this with a clearer head and make a better decision.

I think part of the problem has been in this fog of pain, that I have been letting this orthopedist run roughshod over me. He acts like he is driving the bus, but I am driving this damn bus!

 

[shaynagrl]

I spent yesterday afternoon playing phone tag with my ortho's office, trying to get help with my insurance problems relating to the lumbar epidural. 

They called me back first thing this morning and woke me up.  I handed the ringing phone to my husband, who told them that I was on my way to the toilet and to call back later.  I tried to race back for the phone so he wouldn't terminate the call with them, and I tripped over the dog bed and the dog (big happy fluffy thing that she is!  she is fine btw) and jammed up my back and my other knee!

Then, I rescued the call and they told me they are canceling my epidural procedure with the one place and contacting another place to have me put on their schedule.  They said the new provider will be in touch with me in a few days.  They did not even check to see if the new place is in my insurance network!!  I had them hold on the phone while I checked (I have an app on my phone to check providers), and the anesthesiologist appears to be in network so hopefully I will be okay with this one.  However, who knows how long it will take to get on their queue?  I had to wait almost 2.5 weeks for my former appointment, and now I am starting over.

And why my husband wouldn't answer the phone or talk to them I'll never know -- I am really ticked off at him, and he knows it.  Another fall / injury is the last thing that I needed.  /default_sad.png

 

[Guest]

Hang in there Shayna.  You are headed in the right direction; that's half the battle.  Cool that you have a phone app to check insurance covered providers. 

Yes, once your pain in under control, you will find it easier to think and get all this set up.  Pain drains one's brain, that is for sure. 

Really proud of you for continuing to plug away.  Do check online (?) that whoever is selected to give you the epidural is experienced.  

Hope their waiting time is not as long as the other place.  

Still wish you had a diagnosis but maybe when you get in to see one of the docs at the Spine Clinic, you will get your answers then. 

Also, I know you will be, but be careful with the pain killers.  Sometimes if one is not feeling the pain, one does more than one should.  I know I am guilty of that. 

Sorry for your fall.  That stinks.  Hope you have a restful weekend, and the meds work for you.  Don't be afraid to stay ahead of the pain for a few days.  You deserve a break. 

Your internet friend, 

SM

 

[shaynagrl]

Thanks SpaceMatters for your thoughtful words.

I got impatient and called the pain clinic this afternoon. They were so nice!!

They had just received my files via email and took the time to setup an appointment for me. I get seen for an initial consultation on Wednesday 9/03.

Then I explained my concern that it took me over 2 weeks to get an appointment for this epidural which is now cancelled and would I have to wait another 2 to 3 weeks to reschedule a new one if the doctor prescribes it. I was reassured that if I needed an epidural in the new doctor's opinion, that he could squeeze me in for treatment that week.

This new office was so accommodating and encouraging that I could barely believe it. They even spoke so highly of the new doctor that I will be seeing and told me how well he is liked by his patients. And this doctor is in my insurance network -- I looked him up myself. I was advised to bring all my questions to the appointment and "talk his ear off".

I was just so grateful for all the encouragement and accommodation at this new practice that I actually cried a little on the phone. Between the temporary pain relief that my new family physician has prescribed and my upcoming appointment with this new pain management practice, I feel much more hopeful about my future.

I also appreciate everyone's listening and support here on this forum. It is such a blessing to have a safe and supportive place to share my thoughts and worries.

 

[Jazie]

So glad to hear that "positives" are now happening for you.

Oy Vey, tripping over the dog.  I thought I was the only one that trips over my cats!  Sorry to hear that.

When you see the PM Dr, please, please, please ask him what he believes the cause is for your pain.  I am assuming they will have copies of your records and MRI.  I.e., a diagnosis or explanation if they can give you one, as your Ortho was not sure.  I still believe you should find a good Neuro.

You really need to be an advocate here for yourself and get as much information as you can in order to do your own research to be comfortable with suggestions/decisions being made by the Dr's.

I am happy to hear you finally got some meds.

 

[sciatac]

The comment on being an advocate for yourself is 100% correct. Never forget the relationship with your doctor is that they work for you,they are providing a service you are paying for, YOU are in charge. They can be having a bad day, be distracted by something going on in their life, etc. so make sure you get the attention to detail you deserve.

 

[Guest]

Aw Shayna I amso glad they are so nice! Hopefully that is a sign of good things to come. Willkeep you in my prayers.

 

[shaynagrl]

Tonight I had dinner plans with my husband. I rested all day - my pain meds make me very tired.

All I did was ride in the car to the restaurant, and I hardly did any standing at all. The dining room chairs were all wood with no padding. The food was great but I had trouble sitting for that long on that kind of chair. When I got up to leave, I had some trouble walking. It's like my legs wanted to just fold up under me for no good reason! He held me so I didn't fall.

Then my husband indulged me by taking me for an ice cream cone afterwards, and he got me take home quarts to have at home. I sort of tested him to see how long he thought I would be homebound by seeing how many quarts he would let me have to take home. He got me four without a grumble. That worries me.

 

[Guest]

Shayna, it's tough adjusting.  I wanna nag you some more about getting a diagnosis, but I am losing steam.  Do you have an appointment with the Spine Clinic yet?  

Look into a 'tush cush'.  It's a seat cushion that has a cut out for one's spine and is about $20+ bucks online.  I carry mine in a thin bag, and just toss it on the chair.  Noone really pays attention. 

If I don't have it; I won't go to restaurants that have those hard chairs.  

 

[shaynagrl]

Hi SM - I appreciate all your help and ideas. I hope that you don't feel like I am not listening because I am.

I have an appointment on this Wednesday with a new dr at a pain clinic. I was going to see how that goes before contacting a spine clinic. I do have a spine clinic in mind just in case.

I am leery of going to multiple doctors at the same time. My husband keeps saying that is doctor shopping and against the law. I tell every dr what the previous has done and prescribed. Still, I am worried about that.

 

[Guest]

No worries Shayna.  We are good.  I am just feeling off today.  Nothing serious.  

The doctor at the pain clinic should be able to give you a diagnosis.  That's what you need.  Once you have a diagnosis, you will be able to get an idea of how to fix this, or at least minimize the pain and the impact on your life. 

Gotta bounce.  

BBL

SM

 

[Binky]

Hello Shayna. You've been given some great advice already. I just want to offer my support & best wishes to you. In my opinion, I don't think you trying to get a proper diagnoses is considered doctor shopping. I sure hope your visit to the pain clinic on Wed. goes well. I feel so bad for you having such pain. All I can say is that I'm sending you positive healing vibes. You hang in there Shayna.

 

[Jazie]

Shayna, your husband is just wrong about what Dr shopping is and to get a diagnosis one may have to go to multiple Dr's. 

Unless you try to fill prescriptions from all of them that "overlap" for meds, which is what Dr shopping is by the way.  Going to multiple Dr's for meds that are controlled and trying to fill.  Not how many Dr's one visits to get a diagnosis.

 

[sciatac]

Yeah, going to multiple doctors looking for an effective diagnosis and treatment is not doctor shopping. I did that myself after my back was crushed in a car accident.

Doctor shopping is going to multiple doctors for the sole purpose of getting meds. Very easy to see the difference.

 

[shaynagrl]

Thanks all for the explanations. I thought the same thing and told him so, but he seemed so sure that he was right. I just don't want to end up on a database somewhere or get in legal trouble. I also don't want my husband in trouble since he is the one who is currently filling my prescriptions at the local pharmacy.

My family physician was only too happy to help. I told him that I was worried about looking like I was drug seeking etc and he told me not to worry about that at all. He said that I don't fit the profile. Now I just hope that I have a good result with this new pain management dr on Wednesday.

I'd be fine if I never see that orthopedist again -- but at least he referred me to the nice people at the pain clinic, so it's not a total loss.

 

[sciatac]

BTW - this may not work for you but for some people with chronic back pain those devices with the electrical current, etc. work wonders. I thought they were typical scamming junk until a friend's back specialist recommended one to him, and it seems to work wonders for him.