I’ve been having a few setbacks in the past couple of months. I.C.Bladder pain, herniated disks pain, rib pain, shoulder blade pain, gallbladder cyst pain and migraine pain. Plus most other Lyme symptoms in the background. (sweats, inflammation, stabbing pains, brain fog).
Last week I called my pain management office and requested a telihealth appointment due to current physical conditions.. The receptionist told me they offered telihealth during covid but now want to see patients in person. So I made the appointment for Monday. (50/50 chance of me showing up)
I just got a call from my pain doctor. I said “Oh my God, please don’t tell me today was Monday and I missed my appointment?”
She said no, today is Sunday and I’m home doing laundry, lol. She asked me what was going on with my health. I explained everything, new testing, new doctors, new symptoms. We did a telihealth appointment on a Sunday folks!!!!!
THIS doctor cares about her patients 💕💕💕💕
Previous appointments have been extraordinary too.
When I check in, they escort me to a patient room. Doctor knocks on door, asks me if I would let 2 or 3 residents sit in on my appointment. I always say yes. Then Doc says, Bonnie, without telling them your diagnoses, can you explain your symptoms to them?
Only one time a resident has rightly guessed late stage Lyme disease. She was from Maine and said EVERYONE in Maine either has Lyme, or a family member has Lyme or knows someone with Lyme.
Also, during the height of covid, to protect her patients, she purchased ultraviolet lights in each patient room. Only she was allowed to operate them. 2 minutes on with the door closed and the room was completely sanitized.
Masks are STILL required. Her patients are very ill, late stage diagnoses, cancer, etc.
When I got off the phone, my mind was blown away. This has never happened to me, ever. I was so happy, my faith in humanity restored!
There ARE some really great doctors out there. My Guardian Angel sent this one to me 💚 I am so blessed!
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Wow! Such a blessing to have a doctor like that. 😀
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Pretty super!!! Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Afterthought. . .
Despite my best efforts and intentions, I absolutely would not have been able to make it to this morning’s appointment.
This Doctor is saving many patient’s lives, an unsung HERO 🌟
Posted by daisys (Member # 11802) on :
So wonderful that you found someone who cares, and knows what you need to get pain relief.
I was blessed with a great pain specialist in another state many years ago. He saved my life, when pain was so bad it become a medical issue.
It was rare before to find a caring and effective pain specialist. It must be even more of a challenge in today's atmosphere.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Wow, how extraordinary!! I'm so glad for you.
Is she able to rx meds for you that are adequate for the pain??
I ask, because the DEA has made doctors afraid to rx low-level opioids for patients who really need them. None of the doctors in any of the hospital systems are allowed to rx ANY opioids for anyone for any reason! And those systems have bought up most of the independents doctors' practices.
I have been wrestling with this for a very long time. It makes me despair of getting pain control to make my life livable.
Posted by Bartenderbonnie (Member # 49177) on :
Very sad the CDC! DEA and DOJ decided to experiment by eliminating pain meds to EVERYONE in order to address the drug overdose epidemic.
They have since revised their guidelines due to patient injuries by not tapering off doses and ignoring patients chronic pain disorders.
There is a group that is fighting back. It’s called the Doctor Patient Forum. Please check it out.
My Pain Management Doctor Hero Angel has retired. I am devastated, crying.
She gave me a 2 month notice. She did not know anyone in the area to refer me to.
I gave her a retirement card and wrote how thankful I was for her understanding and treatment of my pain, which kept me in the workforce to provide for my family and also built a little net egg ( all gone now due to Lyme). She was instrumental in my disability case along with all my other providers, but the judge specifically referenced her. Her reputation stellar.
I am so THANKFUL for her mentoring so many students so her legacy of compassion will continue on. ♥️
Side note Her husband, also a doctor, was on a mission to buy an MRI machine for a small village in India. He completed his mission and personally flew to India to deliver the check. These are quality human beings folks!
So I did what I normally do and grabbed the bull by the horns and set out to find new pain management.
Every Pain Management clinic I called booked me an appointment and then uttered “ By the way, the doctor does not use opiates, is that ok?”
I said “Wait. . . What?. . . .The Doctor is a pain Management specialist, has late stage cancer patients and chronic pain patients and doesn’t utilize opioids in his arsenal to treat his patients? No, that is not ok and he is failing his patients. This is a life-changing health issue for so many people!”
Today I will be making more phone calls, writing more letters to my state representatives and senators and praying for spiritual help. 🌟
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
BB so glad you had your pain management doc when you did. My GP also doesn't RX pain meds so might have to change when I get Medicare next January.
I've had stockpiles of pain meds from before but will run out this year. Due to MCAD I can't tolerate them for long and have to cut them in quarters.
My Mom who had cancer had issues getting her pain meds through the military base pharmacy. Ridiculous!
This so called war on drugs has caused so much suffering.
I hope you find a compassionate pain doc.
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
I have a very good pain doctor. Just got him a couple of months ago. He knows i will push myself to keep in shape,and do not want to get hooked on anything. But sometimes I need to use pain killers.
MADDOG
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
Bartenderbonnie—good luck in your search.
Some alternative ways of managing pain can be helpful, but sometime prescriptions are needed.
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