What a great article this is, about being satisfied with your pain management physician. I've had several who were outstanding, one who should not have been in the business. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful pain management doctor now. It matters so very much, especially knowing that chronic pain is viewed as a disease now. Thank you for writing this article.
I so agree with this, that the patient needs to be satisified with the doctor. Just recently I was in a situation where I did not feel that I understood what the doctor had in mind for his "plan of care for me", therefore creating a barrier and a much dissatisified patient. Communication needs to be very clear on both sides, so not only can the doctor understand what you expect from them, you can understand what they expect from you.
I have had RSD aka CRPS since 1999; for over 10yrs now. It started from an auto accident and I thought for over 3 months I had a broken right foot. I was the passenger in this and was in no way at fault. It was also an "on the job" accident.
I have never switched any doctors in all the years of being in pain management. I felt that I was given great care at one time with physical therapy and pain medications. I was given Oxycontin and raised slowly from 10mgs, then 20mgs, and finally after less than 3yrs was put on 40mgs. I have been offered increases by different doctors ever since but have refused as I realized I had to "live with some pain" even though RSD caused me to lose my career and be disabled.
My 1st pain doctor tried hard to help me walk again and did a great job but after not much over 1 1/2yrs decided to send me to a different type of doctor so I went. That doctor (not in pain managemet) decided he could do no more and sent me back to pain management but a new doctor who cared for me for almost 4yrs. This doctor was the best but after 4yrs went by he moved his practice from an office to a nearby hospital and decided to no longer take "medication management" patients any longer or Medicare and Medicaid so I had NO choice but to find yet another pain management doctor. This was 5yrs ago and when I started going there I had NO problems and had a great deal of past medical records proving I have RSD.
In the past year or so after 2 doctors left this practice I was put with a doctor who took over my care and I had been through all the rehabilitation I could and the disease stopped spreading as it went from my right foot, up my leg, and into my right hip but no farther by 2003 before I ever went to the place I still go to now. I finally through medication and support of having a counselor, psychiatrist, and educating myself how to live with this disease with no cure had a better quality of life and never asked for more increases in the medication I was being given.
When my doctor was absent on one occassion, the doctor who came from another clinic came in to the exam room and with NO examination told me I did not have RSD without even going through my medical records or running any tests. I got my medications and told the staff I did not want to see this particular doctor again. Just recently my regular doctor was out and the head of a joined pain management clinic of 7 locations in my state saw me for the 1st time and again with NO exam or tests told me I did not have RSD.
After he ripped up my monthly scripts in front of my face I held my composure and told him he could run ANY tests known to man and he refused. I ended up going almost two months without a medication I NEVER abused and refused increases on many times over for 30 plus days and went into severe detox and pain like I haven't felt in many years. When I was able to see my regular doctor again, I could not drive and someone else had to take me as I was in total detox and so much pain there was no way to drive my car.
My doctor offered me my normal pain meds back but after going through detox I was so afraid not only of going through that again but also had an understanding with him that I have always been careful with my pain medications because I was smart enough to fear them. This time I refused to go back on them and was given Percocet (which I was on for breakthrough pain for a few years) but he did raise them from 3 a day to 6 a day.
I have been back to see him since and told him the Percocets were only giving me about a 10 to 15% of pain relief so he then prescribed 20mgs of Opana aka Oxymorphone. The 1st pill put me into feeling like I could not breathe and was having respitory problems so now I'm afriad of it. Had the doctor who ripped my prescriptions up not done so, I was getting 60% relief with my meds and felt I could live with RSD with some quality of life outside my home.
The worst part is that a member of the staff there had decided for "some unknown reason" she did not like me and made it difficult for me and I found had even lied about me to my own doctor and probably the one I did not know. She left dates out of my chart when I was there but it showed I had either missed the appt or not shown up (as my elderly Aunt has Fibro and arthritis and goes there every single time I do as she no longer drives at all). My Aunt's chart showed she was there and since I was the ONLY person in 5yrs that had EVER taken her, I knew it was this staff member.
When I first came back after seeing the head of all the clinics who boldly stated I didn't have RSD and refused to run any tests while he ripped up my prescriptions, she opened the window in front of ALL the other patients in the waiting room and said I had tested positive for morphine before I had ever been put on morphine and only had the same drug in my system that I had taken for almost 9 1/2 yrs. She broke HIPPA laws in doing this and because I had "stood up" using a kind voice in the past about how I was being treated there and needing my scripts when they would mess it up, I was told by her that same day that "If you EVER speak like that again, you will be discharged as a patient".
I knew I wouldn't even get the Percocets I had been taken down to if at that point I would have even tried to stand up for myself and am now seeking a new doctor whose staff and the doctor treats me like a human being vs feeling that I go to a Nazi detention camp or that I am a drug seeker when I have been nothing but compliant.
Pain management used to work for most people and I know I am not the only one in this clinic that is being treated so poorly by either the doctors or the staff there. I hear people getting upset there all the time and cussing under their breath when they are leaving. It didn't used to be this way and I do not understand why in trying to get rid of true drug seekers they are treating their real pain patients like nothing but street addicts.
I no longer believe in pain mangement and am now trying to find an Internal Medicine doctor to take care of not only my pain but my overall health.
I realize that there are real drug seekers and doctor shoppers out there but why are they treating the people that pay their salaries and are true pain patients like this? On a scale of 1-10, I am very disatisfied at 10 being the worst possible treatment I've ever had by any doctor or staff for any reason even other than pain issues. I've also noticed in the 5yrs I've been going to the same place that they do not run any tests or even do physical exams on me at any time and over schedule along with spending no more than 5 minutes or less with any patient there as it has turned out to be a place where I feel true pain patients are just there to be given prescriptions and gottenr rid of as soon as possible so that the only doctor there can see the next patient and see as many as possible in one day. That is NOT pain management or a real doctor if you ask me.
I would love others to comment and see if they feel they are getting not just the medications they need but the treatment of compassion and ethics a doctor should have. How does the staff treat these pain patients also?
Praying for a miracle to find a doctor who truly cares,
Rhonda
I am satisfied w/ doctor for pain because the meds he gave me are takeing the pain away for the most part, the down side is me fealing Zonked 
.
Today has been one of those days ,i've felt tired and sleepy all day so i took a 2 hour nap this morning and then anouther 2 hour nap just awhile ago and i still feal tired and sleepy at 7:00 pm but i'll try forceing myself to stay up for a few more hours.
I know alot of people who have cronic pain and they say they would sooner feal tired and sleepy then to have their pain back and i have to agree with them.I do have some days where i'm not Zonked out but today is'nt one of them.
Good Luck on finding a good pain management Doctor.
Cheers
I am glad you and others have competent doctors who take care of your pain.
I am and have been at a point where there is NO surgery to cure or take care of my own pain and choose not to be a guinea pig for a spinal cord stimulator (basically an internal TENS unit) and before being treated so poorly and remaining on the same dosage of a strong opiate, I got used to it after 8yrs of the same and no changes and no longer felt tired or loopy from my pain medication. It was so wonderful.
Now IF I go back on a stronger narcotic, I will go through the "loopy/tired" feeling all over again but YES, I would rather feel that than the pain I'm going through now. I will eventually get used to it again.
Others who have the same pain disease I do (RSD/CRPS) that I have spoken to no longer go to a pain management doctor and are for the most part treated by Internal Medicince doctors which is what I am currently looking for but having trouble as most do not want to accept Medicare; my only insurance.
Others who have had problems with pain management that have sought other doctors to care for not just their pain but entire health are more than satisfied with the treatment they receive from Internal Medicince doctors as with RSD there are auto immune problems and if full body, problems with organ failure or other things that are very strange and very few doctors understand.
IF at pain management they even took into consideration testing I would need yearly for my liver, etc I would be satisfied but when I go where I do now, they don't even check my BP, heart rate, and do nothing but have the doctor come in and spend less than 5 minutes with me, not wanting me to ask ANY questions, and writing my prescriptions. I need more than just pain medications.
I just want others to know that if they are going through the same thing I am, to find a way out like I am trying to do. I would accept another pain doctor IF they cared enough to do more than just writing my scripts, taking my money, and sending me out the door.
Other doctors in my area and even the pharmacy where my meds are filled have told me that this clinic is "only legal drug pushers" and since I am a true pain patient, that doesn't even look good on me to go there. They refuse to even work with Medicare Part D on "prior authorizations" to get medications that are needed and refuse to do so.
For some pain management works but for others just as this original post said, this has become big business and it is not serving some of the people that are truly in pain and only in it for the money; not for the ethical practice of treating chronic pain patients with dignity, respect, and doing necessary tests that would help or just writing prescriptions without even checking charts to see if a patient has declared they are allergic to it.
It saddens me to think this is just a business to some doctors and that there are many people not getting the proper care and treatment they so need.
I just wanted to follow up to my original comment. I think sometimes people expect their doctors to be able to solve everything. Sometimes, it's not solvable. Even though I still deal with bad pain, I don't blame my doctor. I suppose if I had unlimited financial resources, I may be able to pursue this through to an answer. But my doctor knows my insurance limits, as well as my personal finance limit. He has done everything in his ability to no avail. I'm sad that he can find nothing, but I do not blame him. He's given it a real effort. I watch some people who hurt so bad, and want other people to pay for it, by suing docs or hospitals. That's just not always the solution. Sometimes, bad stuff just happens, and yes, even to good people. I thank you again, Dr. Lasich, for the article.
I am reminded of my favorite song from the Rolling Stones: You Can't Always Get What You Want. As the lyrica goes, "you get what you need". Most good doctors will try like heck to get a patient what he/she needs. No promises of magic wands, just an honest effort to relieve suffering.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I have no disks at L4-L5. I saw a doctor for the pain after it was hurting so bad one day that I was crying. I was taking 10-15 500mg tylenol/day and asked for a stronger pain relief pill. I had never asked for pain meds before at my clinic. I saw another MD because my PCP was not in. This MD told me to read a book on chronic pain and left. A few months later I saw my PCP for the pain and she refused to give me any meds for pain. Why? Because that MD I saw ONE TIME AND WHO DIDN'T KNOW MY OR EVEN LOOK AT MY MRI RESULTS wrote in my chart "no narcotics"!! My PCP said that's all it said and that no reason was given but because he wrote that I can't get proper meds for my pain. I am now going to a pain clinic but they refuse to give me pain meds because it says "no narcotics" in my chart. How can I fix this?? No history of abuse. Geniune diagnosis to warrant pain meds. What do I do?
I am satisified with my doctor's, just wish that they would stay around longer.
I have trauma induced fibromyalgia. I fought the diagnosis until I finally had to accept it. I fell on my head, neck, and shoulders at work in a very unsafe environment. I did not sue as my employers were friends. 10 years later, after working and reinjurying my neck, I developed fibromyalgia. I am now on disability and have had four doctors in an 8 year period. I live in a state that does not believe in its doctors treating chronic pain with pain medication. I went to a pain management clinic where I was diagnosised as a non-addictive personality and grossly undermedicated. In a second pain management clinic, the specialist recommended that I be given OxyCotin. In both cases, my main internists would not Rx long term pain medication.
I have had to quit taking short term opiods with no indication of addiction, other than a normal increase in pain. Both times, I quit on my own after realizing that a new physician would be unwilling to treat my pain with continuing pain medication.
I belong to 2 groups that are fighting to change the irrational public opinion or medical opinion, that treating chronic pain with pain medication creates drug addicates. In fighting this opinion, I have researched accepted medications and have personally experienced worse reactions with those than any side effects from opiods.
I am once again facing the prospect of a new doctor. My doctor is changing his speciality. He has put in the fact of my quitting 2 opiods on my own in my medical history as well as quitting Klonipon gradually again on my own. I can only hope that this time, I will be able to receive continued pain medication.
Oh, pain medication does not take pain away but lowers the level of pain to one that is manageable. I was without pain medication but was given other medication to supposedly help cope with my constant pain and was bed bound for 6 years. With pain medication, I even worked part time, a big difference.
Hopefully, these articles will help others to see that chronic pain patients should not be dumped into the same group with addicts.
I am putting in my name on purpose. I am continuing to fight for all chronic pain patients. We just want some quality of life. Also, I am a 62 year old great grandmother who until my development of fibro, worked all of my life.
Karen Simon
It would be nice if the docs would actually listen to their patients with an open mind.
i just had to change my doc,because she always insisted ona block(steroidal) for everything that was wrong,whether related to spine or not.Good example...I tried to tell her that i had a swelling like mass inside of right hand between knuckles,and she said Well..you just need a block,and wouldnt even look at my hand..I have since been sent to an ortho..and have neuroma in hand.Once again,Docs need to listen,and patienys like myself wouldnt have to change docs.
I appreciated this article. Patients need to remember that they are consumers. If a consumer goes to a store and does not like the quality of the service she receives or doesn't not think the quality of the goods is up to par, she would not go back to that store. I think the same thing should be true with doctors. If you are not pleased with your doctor, consider not going back. I will add a caveat to that statement. It is important to tell your doctor what you expect, or need, from her. Different people want different things from their doctors and the doctor cannot guess what those things might be. By telling your doctor what you need, she may be able to give it to you.
I was very frustrated and angry at a doctor that I saw for the first time. I had expected something very different from what I got when I went to see him. I insisted on having another appointment with him on a different day. The secretary had suggested my waiting for him until he finished his inpatient rounds. I needed to see him another day so that my anger would dissipate and so that I could make a list of what exactly had made me angry and what I needed from him. My next appointment went much better. It turns out that he was very able to provide what I needed after I told him what it was. We continue the dialogue. He is my partner in helping me get better. I know my body better than anybody else and I do not need a doctor to pontificate to me. WE need to join forces to figure out what will help me most.
Don't get intimidated by your doctor. The two of you should be able to work together. If a doctor will not listen to your input, consider seeing someone else. You know your body best and she has had much schooling to know the "facts". However, the "facts" are only generalizations. Putting both resources together should allow a winning outcome -- maybe not 100 % relief of your pain, but to a tolerable level. But, if you can talk WITH your doctor, I beleive that you will feel validated. After all, you are an important part in the partnership to help YOU FEEL BETTER.
I wish all the readers of my comment the best and hope my view on things is helpful.
I appreciate the fact that you gave this doctor a second chance and the second appointment was better. Sometimes I have a bad day and hope that people understand that I can have bad days.
Today was a bad day. I was up all night with a sick dog and had to get to work earlier than normal. My schedule was over-booked and by the end of the day I was very drained. My last patient showed up late and I might have crossed my eyes. 
Hopefully, tommorrow will be better for me and I can give 100% with a smile.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
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I am totally satisfied with my doctor, even though I still contend with horrific pain. I feel he has done everything he knows to do, and has run every test he could think of. He does take me seriously, and welcomes my input. He seems as eager as I to find a solution to my pain mystery. He's suffered a lot of criticism from colleagues due to my opioid use, while I'm hospitalized. I respect and admire his ethic and persistence. I pity people who have the terrible stories of bad doctors, hospitals, and such.
I first hurt my Back at 8yrs. old, my Parents divorced when I was 9-10yrs old, with my X-Dad was very abusive, even with my Mom working her life she tryed to 'Fight' for what she worked so hard for. We ended up with a few Thousand dollars. She bought a Corvair which we packed with what we had left & 'Ran for lifes' from Chicago to Ca. Still she whould want to move, up the street, down the street, across the St. These moves where 3 days of working with only a few hrs. of sleep, so I'm sure that didn't help my Back pain I had lived with for yrs. With no Health Ins. my Sister & I learned not to tell Mom we were sick, we learned to 'swalow' what ever was wrong with us & carry on. When I was a Teen many days I could only crawl around the Apt, still Mom expected me to do my chores. My Sister 'Learned' she didn't have to do hers' Mom would 'YELL' at me if they wern't done, not her.
When I got Married in the '70's the only Health Ins. offered to us was an HMO, my job was Part time & didn't offer any Ins. I started with a G.P. who did what he could. Than their wasn't the tests they have now & pain meds were hard to get a Dr. to give us in pain, my Drs. thouth we were only 'Making-up' our pain & would become 'Addected' to 'Pain Meds'.
I finally switched groups & started with another G.P., Dr. K who I still see now, I knew he carred, but was afraid of the DEA. He sent me to the few Drs. that whould take my Ins., many times they would say..'Well you just want to get out of work' or 'You just want someone to do every thing for you.' Many times I couldn't run fast enough to my car to sit there & cry out of frustation & pain, I wasn't going to let them see me cry.
I found one Dr. who belived in injesection 2-3 times a wk., something happened between him & my Ins. so I didn't see him for another 3-4 yrs. Then Dr. K would give the 'some' pain meds, I stared learning all I could from other people who lived in pain, reading, just took charge of what I could do. My Ins. started paying for 'MRI's', even with them showing I had buldging disc'c, thin one's in a few places, my spine closing up on & on, the few Drs. I was refered too still gave crap.
My Husband changed jobs & we were finally able to afford better Ins. which ment I could see who I wanted. Still I'v been in Pain 40yrs. or more 24/7, disc's are now gone so many places my vertabrays are bone on bone, with others buldging to the right or the left. I have 'Kyphosis' that my G.P. says the bones should start growing on to my main spine in 2 to 4 yrs. Then he asks me..'What are you going to do?' I don't know what kind of 'Surgey' or life I'm looking at, I'm in my late 50's so it will take me longer to heal, or like a friend, who has 'rods, screws & in her early 40's her upper back is breaking down & she's 'Bedbound'.
I found a Pain Dr. now I'm taking to many meds, they don't 'STOP' my pain, just calm it down. I try not to tell people what kinds of meds I take, I'v had 'The 'Addiction Speach' from a few people, I talk slower for an hr. or more after taking them, or I'v been asked..'How much have you had to drink?'..I DON'T DRINK!! I sleep 2-3 hrs. at a time, then try to get a nap in sometime durning the day, anyone have any ideas what I can do? I'v started to cut down on what the Dr. said to take, still everyone in my house still expects 'Mom' to do it all, from keeping the house 'decident' to fixing things on the cars..I can't do it ALL anymore. But my Pain Dr. listens to me, when the Dr's were first finding out out about 'Fibro', I had one that tested me for it, so I asked the Pain Dr. about 'Lycria', he was going to ask me. He's asking for my Ins. for me to try a 'Pain Pump', it was approved once but I tripped coming in from the garage & broke my kneecap, which didn't heal well, now he wants me to gain some weight. I asked for it cause I'm getting worried about my Liver it seems I'll be on Pain Meds the rest of my life. So for now I seem to have a Dr. who knows about Backs or people in pain, still I'm afaid for 'The other Shoe To Drop'. Even with me on the computer & all my 'Adult' Kids not doing a 'D*m' thing, they don't unless 'Mom' YELLS, they are the BEST at 'Holding The Couch Down', I want to read what others have to say about the Woman & her Son whe were on 'Oprah', every time a show like that is on or a 'Star' goes into treament for 'Drug Addiction', it seems to hurt all of us that are in 'Pain. I live in So.Calif. I know many of the 'Stars' & they really are going in for Alocholic, they just think the 'Public' will accept the Drugs easier then aloholic.
Hugs to all the 'Painers'