Nerve block off the list
So I got to talk to my pain doc today on the phone regarding the nerve block and insurance pretty much insisting I have to look into it. He is such a great doctor to talk to, just like chatting with a father-figure. He is NOT a fan of nerve blocks. He said he would not recommend sticking needles in someone's back unless they are in excruciating pain and nothing else is working. He said it is a painful procedure and not permanent. "nerve blocks don't fix problems" were his exact words. It will not get me back to working full time so in his opinion is not worth it. In his opinion I am managing my pain ok.
He also understands insurance and they're idea of managing pain is not the same as his. He feels as long as I'm coping well and I'm satisfied with my level of pain relief then that is good pain management, insurance on the other hand feels good pain management is being able to go back to work full time asap.
I mentioned that, though I feel my pain is managed OK, I still cannot sit and could not get through a work day even alternating sitting, standing and walking around. He agreed that would not be good for me and recognized that sitting would still cause considerable sciatic pain and probably always will. He said if I was to want to return to work I would probably need to consider retraining in a different line of work.
The best part of the whole conversation was when he said that if the insurance wanted his word in writing he would provide that at their request. I am so glad I insisted on a referral to this pain clinic.. my doctor did not suggest it, it was my idea. If I had waited around for someone else to recommend it I'd still be in excruciating pain with nothing but Tylenol 3 and an occasional percocet. Thank you Dr. C.
He also understands insurance and they're idea of managing pain is not the same as his. He feels as long as I'm coping well and I'm satisfied with my level of pain relief then that is good pain management, insurance on the other hand feels good pain management is being able to go back to work full time asap.
I mentioned that, though I feel my pain is managed OK, I still cannot sit and could not get through a work day even alternating sitting, standing and walking around. He agreed that would not be good for me and recognized that sitting would still cause considerable sciatic pain and probably always will. He said if I was to want to return to work I would probably need to consider retraining in a different line of work.
The best part of the whole conversation was when he said that if the insurance wanted his word in writing he would provide that at their request. I am so glad I insisted on a referral to this pain clinic.. my doctor did not suggest it, it was my idea. If I had waited around for someone else to recommend it I'd still be in excruciating pain with nothing but Tylenol 3 and an occasional percocet. Thank you Dr. C.
Replies
Sounds like you found a good Doc, those are a rarity these days...
Sure does sound like you have a great pain doc! Nerve blocks are not a pain treatment... and most definitely not a cure. They were designed as a diagnostic tool, not a treatment. When there is doubt about the source of a patients pain giving a nerve block will diagnose that a particular nerve is the source, if doing a block on that nerve stops the pain. So while they can give some short term relief they are not considered a treatment... and because they consist of a steriod mixed with a local anaesthetic there is a limit to the number that any one person can have. Sure glad you found that doc and that he has your pain reasonable well managed.
Take care... Gaye... xxx
I am kind of at the point of having an acceptable level of pain but it requires a fentenyl patch and occasional percocet. So is that acceprtable pain management? Is this my life? On transdermal narcotics?
If I did not do things like look for the best pain management options yourself. I learned that here on DS and now again from you. Thank you.
I feel the same way about surgery, yet I am looking into surgical options as I don\'t want to live on narcotics. I don\'t think it is sustainable.
Thanks for all the support you have given me
Thanks for commenting guys.
Gaye - I did research on the nerve blocks and that is what I found... it is a good diagnostic tool, it wasn\'t designed originally as a treatment for pain.
mcelrojo - I know what you mean about what it takes to get to that acceptable pain level. For me it takes Oxycontin, Celebrex, and Lyrica with percocet most days for breakthrough. This is the best I\'ve had yet... no its not a great way to live but most days now I can do a little something. Its not the life I had or want but its what I\'ve got and I\'ve had to learn to accept it.... some days better than others.
For me surgery is not even an option. I\'ve had the orthopedic surgeon, spine specialist and pain doc all tell me there is nothing there to fix. It is all \'degenerative changes\' affecting everything from my spine/discs, facet joints, and SI joints along with arthritis in the same area. That doesn\'t give me much hope because to me degenerative means it will continue to get worse. I hope you can find something to give you more relief... if that means surgery, and you are ready to go down that road, then I hope it will work out for you.