I'm still waiting for the damned script. I called my clinic to check again about the authorization and the nurse said that the first letter my doc sent wasn't enough and further explanation was requested. So that was done and mailed back to insurance on the 12th. I can't believe this bologna! So I still don't know when or if it's going through. How can they keep questioning a doctor's treatment???

The NP was going to send her thoughts about me to my PCP. One thing is another test for Lyme Disease. It came back negative when it was done quite a while ago, but they are notorious for coming back negative when they should be positive. She said it needs to be sent to the Mayo Clinic for testing. I've wondered about that. One of my health care providers told me of her personal experience with it. Her test came back negative a few times and then...she was out of work for over a year while it was being treated! Whatever...I'll be tested again.

My last client today is an OB/GYN and she gave me the name of a PM doc at the hospital where she used to work. She said this female (I like that) doctor is really good. It wouldn't matter that it's 1.5 hours away. I'd go by pony express if I could get some relief!

Anyway...I got through 5 clients today. It hurt like crazy, but I did it. This typing marathon is not helping so anything else tonight, will be short!

Thanks for all the wonderful support. I love you guys!!!

Cherry

I'd go to another doctor if it were me.
Re; Neurontin. It helps some but it made me so I couldn't walk...dizzy...out of it. If that lady is an indication of the treatment to come....I'd go elsewhere. Til the next appt you can find out if tne neurontin helps. Sorry it's so bad.

Cherry, I have FM and last week my doctor wanted to change my Lyrica to something else because vie been having more flareups lately . I can only take 100mg twice daily and more I total wigged out. Any way when he suggested it I said you are not getting my Lyrica . You can have everything else including very pain pill. Lyrica to me is my little miracle pill. It's helped to so much.

Mailed? why the heck are they mailing when they should be faxing or calling in which most insurance companies do it. I dont want be the bearer of bad news but the last time I had trouble with a authorization they declined it. Now I have to pay out of pocket till I get a third person company to look over it. I still have not got around to it as I have to fill out all of these dang forms.

Hope the suggestion for the new PM even if it is a drive will work out. Call them and make a appt as it might take some time for them to get you in.

Cherry,

I'm sorry that you had a bad appointment. I would definitely keep looking for a PM doctor. There are wonderful ones out there, but they can take time to find. It's great that you got a recommendation for one. I would do interviews and keep looking until I found one who was compassionate, understanding, and who really wanted to find a firm diagnosis.

I promise you that there are GREAT doctors out there. You will find one!

Sounds like the PM clinic is an interventional PM clinic. There are two major groups of PM clinics. Some focus primarily on prescribing and monitoring medication. But an interventional clinic specializes in treatments like injections and RFA. Usually these docs are anesthesiologists.

Not sure why the PM clinic is doing diagnosis. They really should be working from a diagnosis from your primary or specialist and then just suggesting treatment options.

Have you tried any specialists? Maybe a neurologist?

That is it Tigg, I could not put my finger on it but you just hit the nail on the head why in the world is the PM doing a diagnosis I thought you said you doctor referred you to them to take over your treatment and that is why I was so confused I think.

Did you go to the pain clinic just for a diagnosis or for treatment? that is where I was getting twisted around because you said you didnt want the treatment they were providing the shots and lyrica and then you said they were reporting back to your doctor that is two different things.

Maybe the pain clinic is just not what you expected it to be, I would have your doctor explain what she is doing more thoroughly if she is just looking for a diagnosis then the pain clinic would not be in charge of prescribing you your meds so I would not worry about what they have and have them look for what is wrong with you so she could treat.

The confusing part for me is exactly what my PCP really expects from a pain clinic. She is frustrated at not being able to figure me out. I've gotten steadily worse since she's been my doc and not responding well to pain meds that she's prescribed. So she's suggesting whatever she can think of to pass me on to someone else. She hopes someone can find something that she may have missed.

I will be getting an appt. with a Rheumatologist at a big, teaching hospital as soon as they can get me in.

I'll be checking with the pharmacy again today to see if my latest script has been approved. I've been waiting since Monday...more grrr

I've tried Neurontin and couldn't function on that crap. I know Lyrica is on the same idea and I'm so sensitive to side effects that I'd like to skip that one.

If I were more comfortable about knowing what is really going on with my body, I'd be more open to specific treatments...except the injections that have caused such terrible reactions each time!

Does you Primary doctor not want to treat you or does she just want the pain clinic to figure it out and she is going to treat you. I would find out from her what her course of treatment really is. It sounds like she has come to the end of what she can do for you and wants you to go somewhere were they can treat you. So I am not sure why they are reporting back to her if that is the case, they will be responsible for all your treatments if you choose to go there.

It sounds like they are going to decline your RX if it has not been approved you may be getting the "letter:" in the mail that is what happened to me. What med was it, if it is expensive they do that with the expensive ones sometimes.

Sorry you have to go through all of this, if

My doc is afraid she's missing something since she said she's never had a CP patient like me. The NP just dismissed me when I didn't immediately agree to injections. It seems they steer away from opiates and focus more on procedures. I would rather just hang in there with my PCP than deal with that miserabe NP at the clinic.

Maybe the Rheumatologist will have some new idea. I'm curious as to what the bloodwork shows that was done on Monday. In the past, I've had several things 'out of whack' and my doc says it shows signs of a compromised immune system. Seems like that would suggest further evaluation as to why!

I'm just living day to day, juggling pain meds and limited activities. It bites!

Hugs,
Cherry

Well, I can tell you that my PM is an Interventionalist, since he is an anesthesiologist, and he will do all of the treatments, shots, etc. but he monitors my medications, and is now working on getting me on the pain pump trial.
Not all interventional clinics just do shots and procedures, at least here in Fla. the anesthesiologist's that do procedures, also monitor medications and try to work with the patient.

Cherry, I hope that the PM lady, that your client recommended works out for you, you have been up and down in the rollercoaster, and deserve to get off it, and to have a life with less pain. Please keep me posted.

(((((Hugs)))))

Cherry it sounds like your pcp is just passing you along to the PM clinic because she doesn't know what to do. I hate when they do that. How can she expect the PM doc to treat you when he doesn't know what is wrong? And if you refuse what he suggests then what is left for him to do? Without a definite diagnosis how can he even begin to prescribe meds for you?

I would push for the rheumatologist and maybe also a neurologist. And even an immunologist depending on what the blood work shows. You might have some exotic disorder causing you the pain. Or you might have a combination of things going on. That's something that I think alot of us forget..we can have more than one thing wrong at a time.

What is the medication that you are waiting for approval on? As manny said you could check to see what the cost is and maybe pay for some to see if they work. Especially if it will be a long drawn out fight with the insurance company.

Cherry- what kind of approval are you waiting for in regards to the scrip your PCP gave you? I'm only asking b/c years ago I had one med that the insurance was taking its time approving (it was a REFILL, nothing new & ended up being a problem with the code & the insurance's mistake) and the pharmacy had no problem with me just paying for it. Unless it is something too expensive, if it is a med that will help you, are you at least able to pay the pharmacy and get the med? Can a pharmacy refuse to give you meds b/c the insurance does? I've never heard of such malarky! God Bless and I truly hope you get some answers soon!

Not sure if I mentioned the Lyme Disease test the NP suggested be redone. They often come back with a false negative and she wants it tested at The Mayo Clinic.

The meds are very expensive, acording to the pharmacist, so I'll keep taking what I have left of my old stuff. But if I still don't have it Monday...LOOK OUT! I will drive to my doc's office and get a script for...something!

It's Friday afternoon and I'm sure patience is running out so I'm not calling again. I'm getting so drained from this battle with pain.

Hugs,
Cherry

my pain clinic experience this past week went exactly the same way as yours did. i left there in tears. don't give up! keep trying until something/someone works!
warm hugs
jessie