I stopped going to pain management doctors, because of what you said. I've had that experience. Don't want that experience again. Right now my prmary is giving me Demerol and Soma. He didn't have to. She (new primary since he retired) didn't have to. But they did. Pain management docs are, in my humble opinion, money grubbers. They made me die when I didn't need to. "I can't take this medication. It makes me sick." "Well, try it again." I did. I died. I don't know what to do about all of this. How pain doctors treat us like crud. I thought because my state was the 4th worst in the nation, it was only here. Apparently it's not. I am so sorry. We need a group. "People in pain." To advocate for us. To tell the state and federal governments what it's like to live like this. They think we're drug addicts. They have never felt this much pain in their lives. If they did, they would know better. But which of us painfull people can run for office. We can't. Too much pain that takes away from every ability we have/.

Bump

AKA no one can make you feel a certain way if you don't allow it. If you are 110% certain that what you are doing is correct then you need to stand up for yourself and others.

When you go to the doctor do your best to dress nicely. Neat, clean makes a huge difference. Hold your head up high. Answer questions slowly, clearly and without excuses or justification. Ask questions and come prepared.

You are a person and have a right to be treated fairly. So again if you have nothing to fear or hide then be proud. You are an adult who is there to receive medical treatment for a medical condition.

Sometimes it helps to take someone with you. Just make sure that this person will make a good impression and will behave appropriately. Don't bring someone who likes to make inappropriate jokes or yells about everything.

We are each the ambassador for all patients. How we behave and how we expect to be treated will affect all patients.

I agree that we can make a difference with the way we speak, dress and act. Doctors are human, they respond to outer stimuli just like we all do.
And I like the part about just saying what you mean....

As my mama says to me... DON"T EQUIVOCATE!

Just say what you mean and let it go without further comments.

equivocate
ikwivkt/
verb
verb: equivocate; 3rd person present: equivocates; past tense: equivocated; past participle: equivocated; gerund or present participle: equivocating

1.
use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
"Not that we are aware of, she equivocated"
synonyms: prevaricate, be evasive, be noncommittal, be vague, be ambiguous, dodge the question, beat around the bush, hedge; More

I hope you get what you need!

My Primary Care doctors refused to give them to me even though I gave them the MRI and Xray reports and films. The one I am going to now sent me to a Pain Management Clinic with a "specialist" in pain management.

It makes all of us dealing with chronic pain furious about how we are treated not only by doctors, but for me, even some of my family members.

I have been taking the meds I take for 14 years, so you would think that I would be over being mad, but I must honestly say I am not. I still get mad that it is so darn hard for us. I tell people that I wish that they could walk around on my bones for a day (or even an hour) and see how it feels, then tell me I don't need something for pain.

For centuries people have used Morphine and/or alcohol to curb pain. I am ready to take myself back a century or two.

These drugs are going to be abused regardless because drug dealers are making too much money from them to quit buying and selling them. The DEA and FDA lets them get away with it for a number of reasons.

I just am tired of the government telling my doctor what he can and cannot prescribed to me to ease my constant excrutiating pain. It's maddening.

I just get tired, oh so tired, of fighting with my doctors about it.