Daycamp72
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 289
Loc: Tara
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After having 9 surgeries this year for breast cancer reconstruction, my plastic surgeon is referring me to a pain clinic. Someone told me that he's written me scripts for narcotics for the past year and wants to "hand me over" to someone else to do it, since I'll probably have a surgery or two to go before it's all done.
What exactly DOES a pain clinic try to accomplish?
Any answers are appreciated!
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Princess
Journeyman
Reged: 09/16/02
Posts: 91
Loc: So Cal
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A Pain Clinic takes care of your pain. They see you once a month and decide what medication and how much to give you for your pain. You can also see a pain management therapist to help deal with all the pain. Some doctors don't feel comfortable prescribing pain meds.
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toky20
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/17/02
Posts: 1347
Loc: Windy Place
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I've been going to a 'pain doc' for about a year now. My doc is accomplished in many areas and she combines eastern medicine with western medicine. I have had acupuncture, massage, anti-inflammatories, narcotics, surgery, PT, OT, and even a 3-week intensive Pain Program this last summer.
Most Pain Clinics work a variety of treatments, and the clinics are few and far between, so if you got a referral to one, consider yourself lucky. I don't particularly personally care for my doc, but she does a good job managing my meds and working with my other doctors to ensure the most effective treatment possible.
Some pain docs/clinics work on the "absolutely no med" rule, and if that's the case with yours, you may want to consider if you're willing to try that. With 9 surgeries, I can imagine you are in some pain, and that most docs I know would be willing to work with you as an exception to the 'no drug' rule. Mine would prefer I don't take opiods, I would prefer myself to not have to take them, but that's not how my life is right now.
I hope I've answered some of your questions, and I hope you can find the relief you need so you can be more comfortable. Please keep us updated on your progress/treatment!
Here's some more posts about my experience, as well as those of others...from about summer time.
https://drugbuyers.com/freeboard/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=conditions&Number=32300&Forum=conditions&Words=pain%20management&Match=Entire%20Phrase&Searchpage=0&Limit=45&Old=6months&Main=19594&Search=true#Post32300
Sorry I coulnd't get the 'search' info out of the url, but there it is.... there's a ton of info there for you to read. Also, PM me if you have any questions, I'm happy to help whenever I can!
Take Care,
Toky
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Daycamp72
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 289
Loc: Tara
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Thanks, Toky and Princess for your replies. Unfortunately, the clinic cannot take me until February, unless my doctor can get me in earlier, which is doubtful. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens.
This info is important to me, since I know NOTHING about pain clinics!
Thanks again,
Chris
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LumbarSpasm
Silent Chaos
Reged: 05/07/02
Posts: 1538
Loc: USA
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You may want to call the office and inquire about their philosophies. Your doc is probably covering his/her butt with the DEA. The DEA has written a nasty little missive that includes wording that questions a general practioner's professional training to deal with chronic pain, positing that it may be beyond their scope of education as GPs. 
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LumbarSpasm
Or just a pain in the butt?!
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Daycamp72
Enthusiast
Reged: 06/29/02
Posts: 289
Loc: Tara
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This has certainly shed a completely different light on my situation. My case is not USUAL for a plastic surgeon's office, either. He calls me his Patient from Hell.........
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