I do not believe that this will be an issue at all with a pain management doctor. I would guess many (most?) pain patients take anti-depression medications. Depression and chronic go hand-in-hand, very hard not to be depressed when in constant pain.

good luck with PM redheadiva....

It won't be an issue. Every doctor knows (esp PMD) that depression is part and parcel of having a chronic condition.

Your PMD may check to make sure the pain med he wants to use doesn't interact with the AD but most likely, it won't be a problem.

Just make sure he's aware of your MH meds. Best of luck Michelle.

Michelle, I would think if anything it would help. It shows you are taking even more avenues to help yourself. Chronic pain creates the chemistry that causes depression, let alone the stresses of living with it. Many antidepressants can help reduce cp by easing the tension of that depression.

Best wishes.....
Toni

Red..
It's very curageous of you to try again with pain management.
I actually felt a knot of fear in my stomach for yo on reading that.
I know how devastating it could be if they again fail to help you.

I agree with those saying being treated for depression should work in your favor in this instance..
Especially when you make it clear that the depression is cause by chronic pain.

Were you ever able to contact that while ago Dr who went Ito private practice?

Can you possibly get who you're seeing for depression to refer yu to Pain Management? ( Seems to work better when contact comes about through referral.

Is there someone who can and will go with you ?

You know..we all know..
There is a possibility.. maybe even a likelihood.. that you won't get sufficient help.
But then.. we also kW without doubt.. that you won't get it without continuing the search.

I'll be thinkin' of you. And hoping.. so much .. that you find soene who will help you with controlling yur pain.

I've noticed you mentioning suicide. ....Usually framed with " not that I ever would" ... it's horrible to have to be living with the thought as a way of finding relief.

I think you need a plan in place for if it goes badly with PM.
It's such a vulnerable place to be in.

We'll be with you to whatever extent you ask, Red.
I'm s damned tired of seeing people suffering unnecessarily.

Hugs
jc

Courageous
..I don't know why that's the ne thing I had to correct of my typos :-)

I hope they would not use being depressed as a reason to deny you treatment for your chronic pain. You are dealing with a multitude of medical issues. I think it's a good thing you're getting help for your depression. Now you need to find some relief for your unrelenting pain. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you that you can find a better pain management doctor this time. I see my new pain management doctor this coming Friday. I'll let you know how it goes. I hope you're having a low pain low stress day today. Hugs.

Just make sure you let pain management know you are being treated for depression and what meds you are on. The only problem I have had was with this was with the anti-anxiety meds that are benzos. The insurance won't cover long acting pain med if I am taking benzos. So my pain doc gave me 2 short acting to take everyday. He would probably go up to 4 a day. Good luck.

Good luck, red. I hope they come through for you this time and that they treat you with the respect and caring you deserve. I'm glad you're getting the depression treatment. It will make a huge difference, I think.

Lynn

I have been on psych meds for 7 years...then came the fibro. No Dr I have ever been to has refused me pain meds because of the psyche meds. In fact, I have been seeing a Pain management Dr for 2 years and he requires all his patients to go to counseling and a psychiatrist in case anti-depressants, etc. are needed. Some of them do not mix well so be sure to talk to your dr about interactions. It may take a few tries but sooner or later a good dr will find a good combination. Good luck!

I've had BiPolar for 27 years, including a few hospitalizations. My cocktail has always included a mood stabilizer, anti-depressant and a benzo. I've never had a Pain Management Dr. even blink at those meds or deny any care or medication for the Chronic Pain issues.

I think many PM docs actually prefer that you go to Therapy and get help and learn coping tools to deal with the Chronic Pain and how to mesh it with your life.

I hope things work out for you.

My pain management Doctor was happy when I told him I was seeking treatment from a therapist. He believed it would be very beneficial.

And, it has helped me a lot!

Good luck to you.

I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words and words of encouragement.

I am sorry it has taken a few days to respond. My fiance's best friend was in a terrible ATV accident (drunk ATV riding) and was life flighted to a level 1 trauma center early Saturday morning (5am ish). Long story short, after dealing all day Saturday of not knowing if he was going to survive (his dad and sister were giving us frequent updates), he is going to be okay but has swelling on his brain, several broken bones (some in his face) and will require many surgeries. We are just thankful he is alive and, while both him and the driver being drunk contributed to the accident (it was at 4am), the fact he was drunk saved his life because his body was loose.

At any rate, we weren't on the computer this weekend. I also dealt with a LOT of pain so it wasn't the best weekend. But we did see him in the hospital yesterday and it was a shock but we are so glad he's out of ICU and is going to recover...albeit very slowly. It was awful seeing him cry because of the pain.

But, my PM plan is this:

Tomorrow I see the psychiatrist I am going to continue to see. The one I saw awhile ago was the "walk in" because I called them when I was having a string of days where I didn't leave the house. My fiance asked me to call them (I'd been seeing a psychologist who was doing straight CBT). I called for him and the walk in started me on Zoloft. No benzos. She asked me why in God's name I wasn't in PM as my medical records with the VA include all my non-VA stuff because I've asked that all the records to go the VA as well. Because she said that, I was thinking of asking the psychiatrist I see tomorrow (and who will manage my meds) if he would refer me to PM. If not, I have to go to my PCP here soon to get my Vitamin D levels re-checked and for my female stuff (gyn and mammogram) and I will ask her. Either way, I have decided to try PM with the VA as the walk in psychiatrist said they have a really good PM program.

Jan, the PM I adored who left the Cleveland Clinic still has not opened his private PM practice. I thought I found him online but, when I called the number, it was for another doctor. I am monitoring the Ohio online medical license site and his current license states it is in active renewal but is still listed with the Cleveland Clinic. My guess is it is being transferred to his private practice. Also, there is a woman who works at one of the offices he was with at the Clinic (not the one I went to, though) that has me on a list of people to contact when she hears when his practice will open. I call her every couple months but still no word.

The Zoloft is helping my depression but not my anxiety. I have so much anxiety. But, I also know it will take more time for the zoloft to work to its optimal level. The waiting for that sucks but at least I'm starting the process. Today was a "bump" in dosage. It has helped my energy level and crying all the time but it has not helped the pain. Not my joint pain, anyway. It has helped my upper back/shoulder/neck pain probably because I am not so tense. Otherwise, the pain is the same.

I am now determined to do what I can to help myself. I went through a VERY rough time where I basically said "f*** the doctors," but as my depression is getting better, I realize I NEED to get help for the pain because, until I do, the depression won't go away completely. I am terrified to try this PM thing again and I don't have the money so that's why I've decided to try the VA. I know I cannot expect miracles to happen right away but I can continue to go to prove myself that I'm in need of assistance. And, also, they might suggest a VA orthopedic surgeon who just might have another option for my knees. There are some negatives to a socialized healthcare model such as the VA but there can be benefits too. I definitely plan to be open about my MH treatment whether I stay with the VA or go outside for PM. I am always open with my doctors because I have nothing to hide. At least I don't think so.

Sorry this was so long...I had a lot to say I guess.

I really cannot thank you all enough for helping me feel better about being treated for depression and not to worry so much about how it'll affect getting pain management treatment. That takes a great deal of anxiety about trying again, away. THANK YOU.

(((HUGS)))

Wishing you well, and low pain today and tomorrow and the next and hopeful that the new Pain Mgmt will help you and not deny you the medications that could help you feel better.
Hugs Miss Diva!
KK

The VA is going to get the wheels turning for PM. Who knows when that'll actually happen, though. But, in the mean time, I started with the psychiatrist who will actually manage me from here on out. She's wonderful. So compassionate, understanding, thorough, and did a bunch of research while I was there and decided to start me on Cymbalta as it can be helpful with chronic pain. She researched some medical journals to determine if it would help autoimmune pain and she found some information that said it could be helpful for more than fibro pain (which I do not have). We looked at the information together and she really made me feel like everything was my decision and she was guiding me. She asked if I wanted a sleep aid and I declined as melatonin works most of the time. She did say my anxiety is out of control and feels it's contributing to the frequent migraines and head/neck pain (tense). She prescribed an PRN anti-anxiety medication that I can take up to twice per day. She's hoping I will not need it after the Cymbalta kicks in. The only issue may be the VA doesn't automatically approve Cymbalta but she's requesting a direct approval. I may have to try Effexor first but she said she'd call me then have whatever med mailed out.

She was great. I have run into a few great VA doctors lately so I'm wondering if I might have a decent PM experience after all. I guess we'll see.

Just thought I'd give a little update on the MH stuff. Really, I needed to get it taken care of. It was out of control and spiraling me down a deep, dark hole. I don't feel 100% but I am getting there and I'm thankful my fiance encouraged me to get help. The depression and anxiety made the pain SO much more intense.