October 17, 2009 - 12:39pm
Hi, all. I haven't ever been to pain management but its been recommended to me for years and I now know that it is time. I don't know if this is an appropriate question or if anyone can help but I thought I would ask. I've seen others ask about suggestions for clinics and I thought I would give it a try.
I live in Palm Bay, FL, which is about an hour east of ORlando. I am looking for pain management in either Palm Bay or Melbourne. We have many of them around here, but the reason I ask, is to see if anyone knows of any PM clinics that will actually prescribe pain meds. Unlike the clinics in south FL (the pill mills), the ones around here are like most doctors, afraid to RX narcotics! They seem to rely mostly on epidural injections and things of that nature (which I am considering as well). Then I read about some of you not only taking pain meds, but also pain meds for breakthrough pain. It just amazes me not only the drugs that some of you take, but also the strengths of some of them. And please don't take that wrong. I don't mean that in any negative way whatsoever. Its just that I've never seen any local doctors that will actually prescribe medications like those that some of you mention. Also, I'm not looking to get high or anything. I just need some relief of my horrible chronic pain that has taken a huge turn for the worst lately and I hope to find some help. I'm doing everything I can. I take Neurontin 300 mg - two in a.m., two in p.m. and three at night, Mobic 7.5 mg twice a day, Robaxin 750 mg, half in the a.m., half in the p.m. and one at night. At the moment, my neurologist will give me #30 Lortab 7.5 mg that I have to beg for and is supposed to last me for a month. I use Lidoderm patches and Lidocaine cream and Voltaren gel. I use my hot tub every night, sleep on ice packs, use a chair massager most days and stretch all the time. I have been seeing a massage therapist and am considering chiropractic. The only reason I mention all of that is just so that you know I'm not just looking for narcotics. I've tried everything I can think of (that I can afford, my insurance sucks!) and I think a larger and stronger amount of some Lortab or even Percocet would be heaven.
So, can anyone help me?
October 17, 2009 - 6:38pm
#2
Hey BeavisMom... practically
Hey BeavisMom... practically neighbors here.. I'm in Port St Lucie. I go to National Pain Institute here in PSL but they have offices throughout the state. I respect the Dr. I see there, it is definately not a pill mill. They will review your history and current injury for the cause of seeing a PM Dr. My thoughts were the same as theirs and started out with injections and different types of medicines before moving on to opiate therapy. This is not to say after reviewing your injury they will not just start out at opiates but they try the best way possbile. I love the staff there and they are always helpful I know they have offices in the Orlando area but that is still quite a drive for ya. Below is the link to their website. I would absolutely recommend anybody to them..... Wish you well
October 18, 2009 - 1:41pm
#3
Thanks for your replies, both
Thanks for your replies, both of you. Yes, both Daytona and Orlando are quite a drive for me. I need to find someone that I can go to either at lunch time, at the end of the day or possibly on Monday's and Friday's. I am home doing transcription on these days, so I have a little more leeway, but I still can't be gone for too long since I have to get my work done. And because of my pain, I am falling behind in my work, so I need someplace close, preferably right next door to my house LOL! I will check out the website though, asmmw.
Thanks again!
October 18, 2009 - 5:20pm
#4
BeavisMom, what line of work
BeavisMom, what line of work are you in that you transcribe at home. You've peeked my curiousity. You may have said in the past but there are several members I take interest in reading their posts and lose track of whats what sometimes.
Nevermind, now I remember you referring to Vioxx samples at work.
October 18, 2009 - 5:54pm
#5
I am a neurologic assistant
I am a neurologic assistant and we see patients in the office three days a week and then I do the office transcription (office visits, MRI reports, EEG's and reports for attorneys) at home three days a week. I've worked for the same neurologist now for 20 years (god, I'm getting old!).
October 18, 2009 - 6:10pm
#6
Be careful when using
Be careful when using lidocaine products (lidoderm and lidocaine cream), it can cause death. I let my dentist know before I have any dental work done when I used and how many patches. Not sure if it has changed but it was no more than 3 lidoderm per 24 hours. Htmom
October 18, 2009 - 7:31pm
#7
Yes, it definitely pays to be
Yes, it definitely pays to be careful. Usually, for the patches, it is 12 hours off and 12 hours on. Thanks for the warning though. In particular, I have to be careful of the Lidocaine because I have a minor heart condition. But it is so hard because I finally found something that works for me. One of my biggest problems that I have right now is alot of left arm and hand pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, atrophy and slight paralysis of two fingers because I have compressive neuropathy in three nerves in that arm. The fingertips on my left hand are very sensitive and when I do transcription, its like typing on red hot razor blades. So I tried to find a RX Lidocaine gel or cream to use on my fingertips. Strangely, I found a RX for a 3% cream in an 85 gm tube for $10. Couldn't find anything stronger available in a RX that my insurance covers. But I found a 5% Lidocaine gel on Amazon of all places. Without a RX! But it only comes in a 10 gm tube and cost $20! But it is definitely worth every cent. I can actually type comfortably now for the first time in months. But thank you, I will try to limit my use as hard as it is.
October 18, 2009 - 9:42pm
#8
htmom, I posted a picture of
The box reads " Apply up to three (3) Lidoderm patches at one time to cover the most painful area. Apply patches only once for up to 12 hours in a 24-hour period (12 hours on and 12 hours off) Remove patches if irritation occurs." You both are right. 
October 19, 2009 - 12:06am
#9
I have so many boxes of
I have so many boxes of Lidoderm. I have a problem getting them to stick. They never stay on me for 12 hrs. Htmom
October 19, 2009 - 8:46am
#10
You are right. You know what
You are right. You know what though? Mine stick the best, even over night, after I get out of the hot tub! I guess the bromine in the water must take the oils out of your skin. BUt they don't stick after a shower! If you wipe off with alcohol first and let it dry well that sometimes helps a little, depending on where you want to stick them. I use mine mostly on my arm, under my wrist splint and elbow pad. That helps to hold them on as well.
ht, does your health ins pay for yours? Mine did, but it was still $45 a box. I was a bit shocked since all of my other RX's so far have only cost $10.
October 19, 2009 - 9:55am
#11
I know, mrbrand. I wasn't
I know, mrbrand. I wasn't arguing, its just another way of saying it. But you are correct. We were both right.
Thankfully, I don't have a lot of irritation from the patches themselves, but I have been experiencing extreme pain and spasm on the inner side of my left scapula. Almost hard to breath sometimes, so in addition to the patches there, I've been getting massaged, using IcyHot and NSAID gel. The IcyHot has created actual burns/open sores. My poor skin is going to fall off. I also had some burns on my elbow from being a little over zealous. But both of those spots hurt so bad, even the burns feel better than the actual pain. I hope when I see my surgeon next week he will at least give me a cortisone injection or something. High dose oral steroids have been the only thing (other than narcotics, which I can't really get) that has helped at all. So Im hopeful an injection will help.
October 24, 2009 - 11:30pm
#12
I live in East Central Fla too near KSC and found doc in Tampa
I have had it with the docs in our area. I found a wonderful doc in Tampa on Fletcher Ave and it's only about a 2 hour drive from my house. I live about 30 minutes due North of you, so you may need to tack on a 1/2 hour to that. This doc does NOT believe in any steroids....only Rx'ing narcotics for Pain Mgmt. First visit was $150 and then $100 for follow ups. You can fill scripts anywhere you want too. It took me 7 years to find this guy, but it was worth the wait. Doc's last name starts with a V. Not sure if we are allowed to give direct info on this site, but there is a clinic adjacent to his that also touts themselves as the Tampa Pain "Relief" Clinic and they are anything but! My doc is not in the brick building. I hope that points you in the right direction.
C
October 25, 2009 - 11:22am
#13
yeah
They are way tooo hard to get into.
Beavismom,
I don't know if Daytona is to far for you, but my Rhuematologist beleives in meds., but does mainly er meds, not much break through. Up unit last month my Baseline and break through were both er's, Avinza and MS Contin for break through. He also prescribes my muscle relaxers and MTX, no nsaids. My meds for sleep I also get form another Dr. You say you see a Neurologist so I don't know if you want to stick with that. PM me if you want his name, I also know one more recommended by my pcp but told him I was ok where I was at for now.
Socs1116