Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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Brain & Nervous System
/ Chronic Pain Support Group

Pain DR in North Central Washington

mountainmom
mountainmom
Hi everyone,
I am hoping that someone on the forum might live near Republic Washington and could share some information on Pain Management/Doctors in that area. We are thinking of moving back there, and it is an extremely small town with little support for things like pain management/ advance medical care.
I'm guessing the nearest place is going to be in Spokane Washington, or maybe Omak. Both are hours from Republic.

Also, has anyone done this, moved far away and had to re-establish doctor care and support? Any sugestions for doing this while on Medicare?

Thanks for reading this
MM
lladyfairhair
lladyfairhair
I live near Seattle ( eastside) and I only know Doctors around here. I am sorry. of course it would be completely unreasonable to drive to Seattle ... I wish I knew something about Spokane-- I wish you luck.
Caren28
Caren28
I live in the Seattle area, too. In a town as small as Republic, it's pretty unlikely you'll find a reputable pain specialist. You might consider seeing a pain specialist who will only act as a consultant to your local PCP. I have been to the pain clinic at Swedish hospital (in Seattle) a few times, just to establish my options, and that doctor (Dr. Tom Yang, he's great) sent his recommendations to my PCP. My PCP is comfortable prescribing for me going forward, and I will only go back to the pain clinic if I need a change. It might be worth it to make the trek to Seattle or Spokane to establish a pain plan, then work with a local PCP for maintenence.
keeska
keeska
No help here either, I'm sorry to say. I wish you the best of luck in finding a doc who can treat your pain successfully.
mountainmom
mountainmom
Thanks everyone for responding. I don't think I'll find any specialists way out in the woods there, probably my best hope is to find a PCP who will work with one from a larger area, like Caren28 suggests.

It's so hard to consider moving there and loosing a current excellent support group. However I love it there and want to go back home...
mountain girl at heart, not city girl...
lovebaby8
lovebaby8
The only doctor I see in Spokane is my rheumtoglist. I have to drive two hours to see him because that is the closest rheumy there is to me from where I live. Spokane is decent size you should be able to find something there.
mountainmom
mountainmom
Hopefully I will find someone in Spokane, that can work through a pcp. I know that we will not have enough money to drive every month to Spokane to get perscriptions. That's both mine and my husbands worry about the move.