Re: epidural and pain management
From: DT (dt2005@comcast.net)
Sun Nov 20 06:29:10 2005
Hi Ann,
I'm so sorry to read you letter. You are getting the same treatment that me
and many others have experienced and in this day and age we would all hope
that this wouldn't continue to occur. I had a Dr. who refused to even see
me because he insisted that adhesions don't cause pain! He was adament
about it and when I called it a "disease" he laughed in my face and said
"prove it". I got on his computer in his office (with his permission) and
called up about 5 websites (including Adhesions.Org) and showed him that
there is such a thing called "adhesions disease". Despite that he refused
to see me and tell you the truth I didn't want to see him either he was so
stupid and set in his ignorant ways.
I had to wait 4 months before getting to see the pain mgmt Dr. ... they had
me do the nurses first, then the mental health part (I had to go to sessions
with a psychiatrist for the first three months to be sure it wasn't all in
my head) and only then did I get to see a Dr. and finally be treated for the
agonizing pain that was robbing me of everything I loved in life.
The good part is, once its all done - you are in and you should be in good
hands. If you haven't heard anything in three weeks just politely call up
and ask if there is anything else you should be doing or they need from you.
You really have to be careful with these people - if you show attitude or
get mad at the slowness of the pace of things they might get nasty or think
you are just in it for the drugs. They have a whole list of attributes that
they watch for in patients, and if you are classified in any of them you'll
get no help at all (except referral to mental health). I think on one hand
its barbaric when it involves people like us, but on the other hand I can
see their side of it because so many drug addicts are highly skilled at
getting meds and pain management is like hittin the lottery to them.
Whatever happens, do not give up on your own life. Educate your family
about your disease (the adhesions), check your state laws to see if the
disease is on the disability list (I'm in Mass and it is a bonafide
disability in Mass) and try to get as many advocates on your side. Also
find a new Dr.
The sad truth is you are probably going to fight this mostly on your own,
but don't give up. There are some decent Dr.s out there and you've got to
do some research and find them.
I wish you the best of luck. Keep coming to this site and hang in there.
--
DT
>----- Original Message -----
Sender: nevilleridings96@aol.com (Ann )
Subject: epidural and pain management
>
> Hey everyone! I just had an epidural done to try to find the cause of my
> persistent left-sided low back and flank pain, which also radiates down
> into the groin and pelvic area. I was sent to an orthopedic doc by my
> urologist, which I go to for ureteral strictures. I had a recent renal
> scan done and it turned out good, so I asked him did he think that it
> could be the adhesions. I won't bore ya'll with the details but I have
> had 4 major abdominal surgeries for endo, adhesions, etc. He said could
> be, but he wanted to find out if my back was okay.
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