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Reply: In Need of Advice: Should I See a New Doctor?

Thank you so much for your response. My family has been very supportive, but has never...

Posted by emwilber

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:In Need of Advice: Should I See a New Doctor? Thank you so much for your response. My family has been very supportive, but has never...

In Need of Advice: Should I See a New Doctor?

I'm hoping this community will have some advice or guidance for me. I feel like I'm...

Posted by emwilber

I'm hoping this community will have some advice or guidance for me. I feel like I'm running out of resources and not sure what I should do. I'm unsure if my doctor is taking me seriously or if I should find a new one. Let me give you some background on my situation. I'm currently 29, a healthy weight, work a desk job and enjoy being active when possible.

Three years ago I was diagnosed with two herniated discs (L4 & L5) and sciatica from an orthopedic surgeron. He put me into PT for a few months, which helped and I was able to get back to my hobbies of sailing and snowboarding. A year went by and my pain came back. I started seeing a pain specialist as the original doctor I saw had a 2 month wait. The pain specialist had an MRI ordered and diagnosed me with having degenerative disc disorder. Since I had already been through PT, he suggested epidural steroid injections. The first three injections I had that year helped and I was able to get back to exercising, however I was still in pain when the shots wore off. I spoke with my pain specialist. He put me on Neurotin (gabupentin) and I had terrible side effects with it. He referred me to a spine surgeon who basically told me there was no need for surgery (yay!) and to manage pain in other ways. I told the pain specialist this, he told me to continue to have shots and put me on Tramadol as needed (up to 300mgs/day) This continued for a year and a half. The pain in my low back/leg subsided enough this summer past summer I was able to return to sailing and exercising.

In October 2012 the pain returned, worse than it has ever been. The pain has spread up my back and makes it unbearable to sit for longer than 20mins. Because of this, I'm falling behind at work.

My pain specialist recommended more injections, which were not helpful this time. At my appointment with him two weeks ago, I explained to him how much the pain was affecting my life, showed him my pain journal, explained all the lifestyle changes I've made (loosing weight, eating better, exercising, yoga, massages...), a list of the medications I'm currently on (Cymbalta for depression, low dose of xanax as needed and birth control) and what I've tried to help control the pain (NAIDS, Neurotin, ice packs, heating pads, walking, etc...). I expressed concern that I wasn't sure how much the Tramadol was helping anymore, since I'd been on it for over a year. He recommended more PT and put me on Gralise (extended release gaubopentin) and told me to call him if it didn't work.

I took the Gralise for a week and had terrible side effects again and it did not help with the pain. This past friday, I called his office and he was out. I explained the situation to his staff the side effects and asked what I should do. They returned my call after speaking with him, told me to quit taking the Gralise and that there was nothing else he could do to help.

His response upset me - I'm not sure what I should do. My concern is he thinks I'm drug seeking as I'm young and I'm being treated for depression and anxiety. I understand pain management is more than medication. I've made lifestyle changes to help control my pain and have tried several therapies to help. I do public relations for a hospital and the last thing I want is to be 'doped up' at work.

I'm starting PT again tomorrow, I have faith it will help, I'm willing to do the work. I'm just not sure if I should call the pain specialist back or schedule another appt with him or if I should see another doctor? Does anyone have any thoughts? Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you!View Thread

Posted byemwilber

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:In Need of Advice: Should I See a New Doctor? I'm hoping this community will have some advice or guidance for me. I feel like I'm...

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