hello thaliajen, want to wish you the best today, i think that i had read a post from you saying your in michigan, im from west michigan myself, nice to meet you hun, im happy my doc only needs to see me every 6months, i just phone the nurses station monthly, they do my scripts by puter, then have my doc sign them, i have to pick up my scripts at my doctors office cause as im sure you know mscotin cant be phoned in....plus its your right to have a handicapp placerd as a chronic pain patient, please dont feel weak for asking, just got mine renewed, and use it on high pain days..

If I have many questions for the PA I write them down and then when I get to my appt I don't forget what I wanted to ask. Hope this helps!! Cindi

Hi Thaliajen ,

Wishing you luck today with the Dr. ...
Cindihdlady has it right I to write down questions I have for my Doc because I always forget something then when I leave I am like now why did I not ask about that.. so writing them down helps..

I to have a handicap sticker my PC doc gave it to me..

Good LUCK!!!!

Cathy

Jen

I'm sorry you're so nervous. I'll be thinking about you today, let us know how you make out.

Calming hugs,
Theresa

Thanks everyone-it went well! I couldn't hide my pain, the PA is very intuitive. And my doctor saw me in the hall and gave me a big hug, asked how I was, etc.

As for the RSD Winter flare, the PA was great! She asked if I needed anything extra, and I asked HER if I could just take an extra 1/2 pill (MSIR) when the pain got super super bad as it did last weekend. She then asked me if she should write for some extra, and I told her I was okay, that I would make sure I didn't run out, wasn't anticipating the bad, bad pain so often, and explained that I felt like a failure b/c my meds weren't working. After almost 15 years on the same amount of morphine a day, I'm finally normal b/c I'm needing a small boost.

Actually I'm lower than I ever was now with this doc but only by about 30mg per day. And I used to take Darvocet, so the pain I'm feeling is the same I felt last year, but last year I had more MSIR AND the Darvocet. No wonder it hurt so bad!

She was wonderful and told me that RSD is hard, and IF I needed it they could write for a few more MSIR for the winter. Or they could try a stronger med. But I told her no, I don't want to change a thing yet, just wanted permission to take an extra half pill on bad days. Permission granted, and I just need to make sure I don't run out. As I don't plan on trying this until the pain goes haywire again, I don't think I need to worry. And if I need help, that is why they're there.

After I dried my eyes (and I rarely ever cry!) I asked about the handicapped parking. She was surprised I didn't already have it and all I had to do was fill out half a form, the doctor filled the lower half, and I take it to Sec of State and it's not even temporary. (They usually give temporary ones but my doc gave me a permanent one.) I'll do that Thursday as I'm already out. I was a tiny bit sad that it was not temporary b/c I my head that means I'll never get better. I know it is rare, but I do like to think the RSD will just go away. Miracles DO happen.

After all, I finally asked all the questions I'd been writing down for months. They really go all out at this clinic and I had no idea how it worked, but now that I understand it, I feel comfortable talking to all of them.

You guys told me exactly what I'd tell anyone else, but I couldn't listen to my own advice. So thank-you- I feel a LOT better. I missed my son all day but I feel a lot better. ;)

Thanks again- I was so sure I'd chicken out but knowing I'd written this thread, I felt like I had to say something, LOL. Hopefully I'll never get that low again where I feel like I can't talk to my own doctor. The lack of sleep made me weepy, and of course my pain IS worse than they'd ever seen it. In summer I was never higher than a 2 on pain scale.

Speaking of lack of sleep, we're paying a sitter so I can get some sleep, and I'd better try now or it'll be a waste of money!

Thanks again- I needed a kick in the pants, but you guys were very kind. It helped more than you know. :)

i know that feeling, i have a pain clinic appointment and the lady that works there,who sends out the letters, always leave it to her partner dr and he is horrible,as soon as i see him, he tells me all the reason whys he hates me and how much he hates coming to work the day he has to see me. i tell him the feeling on my end is the same as well.
the parking cost have gone up so high, 7 bucks for 30 mins, or leave your car at the local school and pay $1.50 an hour. or even better i might even catch the bus that will cost me a grand total of 90 cents, but while i wait at the chemist i will do shopping so i will drive.
i also have to see my other dr, who i should have seen by now, but will do that tomorrow, as he has today off.
i hate waiting and it's such a long day, esp when children are taken, i take my son and it's a long day of him asking for money for the vending machines. i have a baby sitter for him today.
write down what you want to ask, i have it on the phone, so the phone reminds to ask him questions.
good luck.

Ah, Jen I'm so happy for you! I've been thinking about you all day.

Now Amy is next, her appt is tomorrow, I hope and pray she has a great visit too!

Hugs,
Theresa

Smile- I can't help but laugh b/c my questions have been on my phone for months! But I remembered them all, thank goodness. I think what made me feel better was seeing my doc in the hallway. I know he had been working hard to keep up with all his patients, then finally hired a doc and PA who seem to be there for good. So when I saw him yesterday he was happy to see me, loved looking at the card of my son and seemed as if he's rested and well, now that the new people are squared away.

I STILL couldn't sleep well- I tend to let anxiety build up and then I wake up every hour. I woke at 2am and couldn't go back to sleep, though I had none the night before. I need to do some deep breathing. I have a trip to get ready for and it'll be warm there (at least I pray it will) so I'll be able to give my foot and leg a bit of a rest. I'm gone a week a month to places like Cancun, Vegas, Puerta Vallerta, etc., but this time I'm going somewhere new- Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I'm nervous b/c my Spanish is so bad. (How did I get A's in school when I can't remember my verbs at ALL?)

Oh well, it's a short trip (4 nights, 5 days) and will be good for my foot. And I'll have some time off to rest and relax. I SHOULD be relaxed- gotta work on that. ;)