Have been living in what I call a hole for several weeks and decided that you here are the best people to talk to about this.
I am smothering and cannot crawl out. I think it is the loss of my identity that is the hardest. This is nothing new, I have had lyme and co infections for seven years.
What really started it was my family Dr. who treats my pain, sending me on to a pain specialist. I don't want to go, I don't want to try to explain this to him. I don't want to leave my house.
I would appreciate any calming thoughts, prayers, etc that could be sent my way. And I do apologize for whining.
Thanks for listening.
Posted by John S (Member # 19756) on :
That really isn't whining.
Tell him NO. We who have Lyme have limited choices, but we can still say NO.
Posted by Rene (Member # 4870) on :
I could say no, but then would not have any pain medication. Sort of between a rock and a hard place.
Posted by John S (Member # 19756) on :
See the specialist, maybe it will work, but also look for another doctor.
That is what I would do then.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
(((((great big hugs)))))
I'm sorry to hear things are so rough.
I guess either your doctor's suggestion has upset you because it's too difficult to explain your whole story from scratch, or your doctor used to help you but now he's sending you away, or you're not feeling up to going out for a new appointment.
Is it possible that if you got new pain meds from the pain management person, it might help you climb out of the dark hole? Effects of the drugs you're on and/or ongoing pain can help keep you down there.
And it's absolutely the right thing to do, to look for support here. You're not alone.
Frequently in dealing with this disease, our options suck. You choose the one that's likely to do the most to make you feel better.
Hang in there, look for hope and do not give up.
Light
Posted by Rene (Member # 4870) on :
Thanks again light!!!! I so appreciate your calm sensible spirit. You are right, maybe it will be ok and the pain Dr. will be helpful. I guess the real issue is trying to explain 7 years of sickness when I look perfectly fine.
Hope you are having a good day today.
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Yes, it is definitely hard to go thru the whole story again with a new doc.
Maybe you would want to do a little pre-planning of what you will say. Get it organized in your mind, maybe outline it on paper. If you have memory problems, letting the doctor see that you need a paper reminder will not hurt your case. You could even explain that you have been sick a long time and it is difficult to summarize all that in a short time, which is why you need your paper. Maybe even leave it with him for your file.
You would want to emphasize the parts of your history that demonstrate the need for pain meds. Give concrete examples.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
What lou said it great. I always do that for EVERY dr appt. That is, I write what my symptoms are, what concerns and questions I have, etc. And a separate list of meds and supplements with dosages. And I have a copy for me and one for the dr.
This helps a lot so that the important things get covered and are clear.
Just be aware that anything you write that they put in your record will then be available to insurance, if they ask for your records. So if there is some detail you wouldn't want revealed to insurance, say it verbally and say so.
And I agree, you probably will get more and better help with pain meds with a pain management dr than your family dr was able to provide. Hard as it is to start over with someone new!
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
Yes, write down the story beforehand and make a copy so you can give it to the doctor. I do that anyway because I don't see my doctor often, and he's far away, and if I forget to tell him something important or ask a question, the appointment is over too quick and then I've lost my chance.
Also write down the questions you want to ask, and then the doctor can go down your list and reply. Make a copy for yourself and leave space, and you can write his answers by the questions, so you'll remember later.
Keep a copy of the story you wrote in case you go see another doctor and have to tell it again--then you can just print another copy instead of writing it all twice.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Sorry you are having to train a new doctor. That is so hard.
BUT.. if he/she has dealt with pain in others... they should know you don't have to be able to "see" the pain.
And since you were referred by another doctor, that should be very helpful.
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)