Pain Management Dr, Neuro too?
Hello,
My pain management doctor is retiring that part of his practice. His practice is in Seattle , WA and I live in Portland, OR. I am willing to travel some for a great doctor. Do any of you in or near the Pacific NW have a pain management doctor you would recommend? I still see a Neurologist in Seattle, but I am his last MS patient. The rest have the same illness that Michael J Fox has (sorry, cant seem to find the word for it, lol).
Right now, I am starting with a general pain management clinic in Gresham, Or., The first thing he did was take my morphine and reduce it by 1/3 without really looking at anything. I do not have much confidence in him at this point. He is also telling me that he isn't getting what he wants as far as paperwork from my doctors and wants me to press them. Is this normal? I thought once a patient signed the release, the doctors could communicate what they wanted and needed. My charts are huge so I don't understand why he is saying he just wants the last few visits and is saying that he does not have enough. I called to make an appointment yesterday and left a message. It is almost 1pm today and I have yet to hear from them. As far as I can tell, it seems this is not going to be a clinic that I will enjoy working with, especially since he wants to see me every month. Any advice is appreciated! I have only ever worked with one pain doctor in the last 13 or more years.
Thank you!
Kristina
Hi Kristina!
I hope you have heard back from the clinic by now! I think only you can decide what will be best for you and your health. That said, with the current restrictions on pain medications, it is getting harder to find physicians who will prescribe opioids, even when they are warranted. It does seems like this new physician may have some preconceived notions about your condition and your medication needs. I do hope other members chime in, especially if they can offer some physician recommendations in your neck of the woods. These may seem like a pretty silly questions, but did your pain doctor have any recommendations for other physicians? What about your neurologist? Is he phasing out working with MS patients to focus on Parkinson's patients?
While this article mostly discusses finding a good neurologist, it also reinforces the view that YOU are your best advocate for your health and your life -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/building-healthcare-team/. I am glad you are being proactive about trying to obtain the best treatment you can. I hope you did get some answers from the clinic. Best of luck and thank you for reaching out!
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
Thanks Erin! I switched to my primary dr as pain management dr. I have been reducing my opioids so I can see her. I plan to switch over to use cbds and thc for pain since I feel it is more effective, just not long lasting. I am not switched over yet, but I am getting close. Thank you for taking time to write me! Have a good summer!
Hi Kristina,
My name is Kevin and I live outside of West Salem and drive to Portland,Or for my Neuro.. I went to Providence MS center then ro peircey Neurology in Corvallis until she moved to Utah. She referred me back to Providence but now I'm seeing a different Dr. For reasons that are ridiculous! My first appointment with this 42 yr old specialist was ridiculous! I had the previous Dr and a second opinion in Seattle by Lilly Jung Henson got me DX'd because their MRI machine showed a lot more lesions. Dr Cohan is the director and a Dr friend asked her friend at the Cleveland clinic about him and he said he was way behind the times and he has a tight leash on his young crew. The specialists let the radiologist over rule them on my spine lesion as artifact, only place i have heard of that. He said my Seizures were muscle spasms and he never saw them, the other dr wouldn't come out in the hall after the appointment, neither would the PA! The are Tonic clonic, I couldn't talk, open my eyes or walk. The on call neuro didn't lnow what it was. After seizures I have bad fatigue and vertigo and nausea for 2-4 weeks.
I have a new pain management dr and he kept me on the morphine- 30mg 3xday! Sometimes i can use more but that is the max unless you have cancer! Providence is the top rated clinic in Oregon but that wouldn't be hard! They didnt tell me I was on a Tecfidera trial and the were going to put me on it without testing me for JC virus. I was so sick I forgot a whole summer while on it!Hey Kevin,
Thanks for writing back and sharing some of your story! So far I am seeing the clinic I made the appointment at in Gresham. They reduced me to 30mg of morphine 2x a day from 3x. I am struggling with it, but am trying.to adjust. We made a compromise that I offered to give up my Rx for oxy for them to waive to no weed stipulation on the pain contract.
How are things going with you?
Thanks for responding to my previous post!
KristiHi Kevin,
How are you? I am sorry it has taken so long for me to get back to you. I just don't go on this site when I am too busy or tired.
My spine shows lesions too, more than my brain. I don't see many other MS patients mentioning their spine. What did the doctor mean when he called your spinal lesions artifact?
How are your seizures?
I would be interested in communicating more with you. Are you in the market for a slightly damaged friend? lol
I use the communication application KIK. If you would like to chat there too, my id is Luckygirlk.
Hope you are enjoying the beautiful fall we are having so far!
Take care,
Kristina
Kristina
If you would like to try them and they are close to you, it is Dr. Smoot @ Providence St.Vincent 503-216-1150.
They have pain management too.Thank you!
Hello All;
Years ago a Intrathecal Baclofen pump was implanted to treat spasticity. Once the ideal dose was established it works flawlessly. Having spinal pain with painful spasms I inquired about piggyback pain meds with Baclofen infusion pump. Much to my delight that is possible. It is a drastic measure for sure for its application worth a discussion with your PCP/neuro.
I do my infusion in Eugene. Unfortunately, a good neuro is not here mid-valley.
With some success my PCP is accepting my push for him to practice the time honored talents of a good old fashioned country doc who knows all and does all, you know, one stop shop. I wish you all the best.
