Re: Visit to another pain clinic
From: Kelly Murray (mkmurray@cyberport.com)
Tue Apr 2 15:08:11 2002
-------Original Message-------
From: adhesions@adhesions.org
Date: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 10:28:58 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ADHESIONS
Subject: Visit to another pain clinic
Well...I just don't know why I keep trying. I always thought of myself
as a
realist, but I guess I'm really a misguided optimist.
--
Again, the 'pain doc' zeroed in on the fibromyalgia and refused to even
consider any other cause for my continued pain. I let myself down by
crying in front of him, so now he'll also report to my doctor that I am
hysterical and need more psychotherapy.
Darn it, I'm getting soooo frustrated with these people!
Here's the text of the letter I'm sending to him and my primary care
doctor:
Dear Doctor Fibruch:
You don’t know how sorry I am that I had to come see you on a bad pain
day. It’s hard to think through the pain and make my points
intelligently. My concern is you did not seem inclined to listen to me
about any of the other medical problems that I have that are
contributing to my pain. Focusing only on the FMS, exercise and
changing medications is not what I expected or wanted.
I tried to get you to listen to me and it didn’t work, so maybe a
written communication is appropriate.
I have tried several times to ‘exercise through the pain to get to the
other side’. I get very mixed messages about this issue. Dr. Berman
told me that if it hurt an hour after doing a certain type of
exercising, that I should back off. I’ve gone from full water aerobics,
to Arthritis Foundation water class, and to a self managed class where
you can do just as much as you can do and not worry about keeping up
with anybody else. Even just walking a few laps was too much, no matter
how many times I tried. Then it got cold and going from a warm pool to
a cold car would have me in bed for the rest of the day. I am planning
on trying again, but the Arthritis Foundation’s classes are during the
day and I am currently trying to hold a job. I was hoping you would
have some idea for a work-around solution for use of the Center for
Health Enhancement in the evening, besides the full water aerobics
class.
The PT department at KU Medical Center instructed me to do light
stretching exercises and walk when I can. They tried some massage, but
the effects didn’t last. I do stretches every day and try to take
breaks during the workday to walk around the little park area outside my
office.
But the pain doesn’t go away, ever. It is not always FMS pain, but I’m
sure it makes the FMS worse.
Now, about those other problems you waved off while talking about taking
me off the pain medications.
I also have:
· Osteoarthritis
· Degenerative disc disease
· Adhesions related disorder (yes, they do cause pain)
· Bone spurs in various locations, including spine.
What I am trying to tell you is I that I was hoping we could come up
with a plan to treat these other problems causing me pain. I have
already had surgery for the adhesions, but they returned. I can accept
that further surgery is probably not the answer for the adhesions, but
pain management is necessary. I will be seeing an orthopedist for my
knee 50-60% functional as opposed to 10-20% without it.
I’m sure I looked and acted depressed when I left your office. I feel
that I had a right to be that way. You did not listen to me...
Rose,
It's hard to win some times. If you go to the Dr. and you are downed out
from the pain, they say you are depressed. When you go in and try to smile,
they think that your pain isn't so bad.
Every time I go to PM, my pain that day is low so I don't tell him how it
makes me so miserable.
I was up all night with mine, it usually hits at night when my intestines
start moving. I broke down and bawled like a baby at about midnight. I had
to get up at 5:30 to go to work. I feel wiped out.
My pain has gotton worse as I went to a University Dr. last week and they
placed a pessory in me and it hurts but I don't even want to try and take it
out. I think it is pressing on my adhesions.
I am glad you wrote your letter. Even though you may not get through to the
dr. It will help you emotionally.
Love,
Kel
.