I will share with you my experience since I am under PM care for 5 years by now. No GP has training to be a PM Dr. there are for to become a patient under PM care is a blessing. PM Dr. have special training and this training gets updated many times a year since new meds and new research comes up every day and good PM has to be on top of everything.
When I came to my PM after my failed spinal fusion I was in a bad shape, more than words can describe. My Pm started a program with me (at that time I still worked). I am taking LA (long acting meds) Oxycontin every 8 hours, and than I am taking BT (brake thru ) Percocet as needed.
Unfortunately doses need to be increased periodically, meds changed also due to body tolerance, increased/decreased problems and so on.
IN the beginning this type meds can make you sleepy, tired and dizzy. Danger on a road. But they will start you on small doses and little by little your body will get used to it and these symptoms disappear. I am on high doses now , I don't fee anything when take them anymore. My meds were changed many times, I practically been on most of them during this treatment.
I have to be for life on PK, so my PM Dr is my best friend, better be! LOL My GP has nothing to do with my treatment; i go to him if i have general problems or cold, but with something serious like this I have my PM care.
I had once a very serious, life treatning situation and it was on a weekend! My Dr put me on a new dose of Fentanyl patch; he switched me from 25mg to 50mg. I had unbelievable reaction and never thought I can make it. My PM was on a phone with ER, he is the one who sent me to ER, called the car and been with the DRs there all day, over night - until they stabilized my condition.
He couldn't be there physically b/c he is in NYC and I am in N.J.
In ER they did not do one step without him checking it - this is what PM's training is for. My wonderful GP was there too, but he couldn't help with this specific problem.
I hope it helped you to understand what is what. :-)

Hugs, Moldova

This clinic they are referring me to states on there website they will make recommendations for your treatments however your GP will assume your care? I don't want to get in the middle of one doc saying one thing and the other saying another thing.. ya know? I agree I think a PM is alot more qualified then a GP. Not sure why some practices do things this way. It's really confusing. Meanwhile I'm suffering trying to make it thru the day and night. Thanks for your information it's very helpful. : )

I was anxious about going to pain management but now I am glad I did. She is a God send. I only see her for my pain and primary care doctor for other problems not related to my pain. They specialize in pain and should be very helpful keeping you comfortable. If you don't like the pain doctor find one you like they can be helpful.

Pain management for me was a life saver too. If I didn;t see him I would not be able to move. Your regular doctor could try to help you but PM are specialized in pain. They know what to give you for what ails you. Good luck and big hugs.

If you are not comfortable with the way the arrangement works at this PM office, research another. You don't HAVE to go to the one you are referred to. It is just a referral - you are free to pick your own PM doctor. :)

ahh that was gonna be my next question.. Ok I'll research another PM. I should've been referred to a PM a year ago. Or I should've just went to one. O'well hopefully they can get my pain levels down enough for me to be prodcutive at work. Thanks everyone!! : )