What type of pain management doctor do i pick?

[mish2575]

Hi all,
Its been a while. Hope you guys are doing ok.

I have been on Tramadol for, what feels like, inflammation type pain in the abdomen. It is great but it doesn't work as well as it initially did.

I don't want "stronger" meds. The reason I like Tramadol so much is because it doesn't give me a high feeling, simply removes the pain.

I've looked up Pain management specialists but none state that they specialize in Crohns related pain. For those of you who do see a pain specialist, what do they specialize in?

 

[my little penguin]

Your Gi should be able to get you a referral
Second make sure to look into non med relief
Swimming
Electric heating pads
And tens units

Good luck

 

[mish2575]

I will definitely ask my Doctor, just wanted to find out what type of pain management the Pain Management doctors used by people here "specialize" in.

I dont really have a way to swim. Heating pad helps a little, but its very internal so its not ideal.
What is Tens Unit?

 

[my little penguin]

Your doc can prescribe PT where they use arthritis ( warm water pools )
A tens unit
http://www.tensunits.com

Uses electrical signals to break up the pain sent to the brain.
DS places them two on his belly and two on his back
It doesn't get rid of the pain completely but makes it tolerable
A pain management doc prescribed it for him .

Also what meds are being used to treat the IBd
Once the inflammation gets under control there shouldn't be any pain unless it's from scar tissue

 

[BigBoss]

Hi there, i know this is an older thread, but was curious if you ever made your way to a pain management specialist. And if so did you have any luck finding one familiar with crohn's?

I am and have been in this boat for a while. I have specifically requested a pain doc with experience dealing with/treating patients with severe crohns disease. When I met with the dr. he had zero experience with crohnnies, and treated me as a pill seeker. Then my surgeon found a dr for me who he had been "working" with, so I thought I would get taken seriously, not that he didn't, but he just pawned me off to the pharmacist and she basically made me feel like she barely looked at my chart. I had just recently had surgery, and she told me that they were doing me a favor by seeing me for acute pain... then I kinda just knew I wasn't going to get any help or be taken seriously. I just really get the feeling that they don't want to even treat me. The pain management office called me to schedule an appointment, and the day of the appointment, they cancelled on me, and were supposed to call me to reschedule, so after the 3rd day, I called them, and the soonest appointment to see her is jan 11th, this was at the beginning of december. Been pretty miserable for 5+yrs and the only thing that helps me at the moment is pain meds. I have tried nerve blockers-which didnt work and ssri's which didnt work and made me feel not right at all. I even have my mother manage my meds,
I know there are pain dr.s out there who totally get it. I am just trying to avoid having to switch providers just because there are nonopen minded physicians at my current location. Only good thing is, my G.i. dr. I think os finally understanfing that nothing is seeming to help and having my mother there to "testify" on my behalf that I basically live in bed, and dtill abe dresdfully painful D and eating cayses me such pain and discomfort I avoid food like the plague. It doesn't matter if its soup or jello, it all ruins me. So anyway, I am hoping that you were able to find a dr. that is well versed in crohn's and willing to help u. Wishing u well.

 

[tots]

Try calling the Crohns and UC clinic at UCLA, maybe it's called the BID universal them for a referral. I was not impressed with the Drs but they have a good rep so I am sure they can refer you.


Lauren

 

[BigBoss]

Thx tots. But atm, i have kaiser... unless I decide to switch over back to blue shield, which I may do, I am stuck dealing with kaiser, unless i pay out of pocket. Sux. Kaiser is good overall. But the only gripe i have is the pain management dept. And i have heard alot of people have an issue with it. Some lady, who overheard me in the elevator, chimed in that her husband has cancer, and they have to fight to get what they have, and its not even close to enough for his pain, which is truly sad. It is just crappy deal. I wish i found relief elsewhere, but for the time being, these drugs, from my standpoint are amazing for my stomach. Merry xmas everyone. Hope someone is able to enjoy all the good food.

 

[Raymond21]

I suffer from terrible backaches since my early 20's and now in my mid 30's and I have always gone to chiropractors. I was told I have compressed disk and I tend to have back severe spasms every two years. I recently came back from my honeymoon, and I had terrible contractions on my back again. I think it was from walking so much and long hours on our flight. I tried healthmateforever TENS device when we got back home from our trip, and my life has completely changed. I used it 3 times a week, and it has really helped me tremendously. It saved me a trip to the chiropractor because I was in really really bad pain. Saved me a ton of money on pain pills as well. Also, my wife used it for her upper back (lower back for mine), and it helped alleviate her back pain from moving heavy boxes since we had moved a short time ago, and constantly being on the go.
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