I think I have found a good Pain Management doctor and also possibly a good back doctor. I was sent to the pain doctor to meet him before he does my Diskogram since he never met me. He was extremely nice!! He is much older than I expected and doesn't have the "attitude" that allot of the younger ones do. He understands pain and actually wants to help. He also said he is not afraid to give meds for pain and says that is what he is there for! He has given me the only pain pill my body seems to tolerate, the one other doctors won't give anymore.
I didn't even ask for anything, simply told him I can't take anything due to my bowel problems. I told him there was only one pain pill that didn't do a bad number on my system but they took me off of last year because of the possibility of getting addicted, so I don't usually take anything for pain. He frowned, shook his head and wrote me a prescription for the one others won't give.
He doesn't want to do the diskogram the same time as they do the Myleogram. He says it is too much for me in one day, plus it would be hard for his schedule and the Neurosurgeon's to work together.
I get the Diskogram on Monday (8th) and the Myleogram on Wednesday (10th).
He said he treats pain with pills, injections, Morphine, Morphine Pump or Epidurals and also does Acupuncture etc.
At least if these tests don't show anything he wants to work with me for the pain control or even if something shows on the tests and I opt not to have surgery.
He explained everything about the Diskogram in total detail and gave me a thorough exam etc. He explained exactly how he does it step by step and even showed me on a model. He explained why they do it, what they look for, what my reactions might be and what they would mean to him etc. etc. If anyone wants a good pain doctor in PA I would highly recommend him....Dr. James Barrett of the Center For Pain Control, PC in Wyomissing, PA (Reading area).
I could even joke with him. I told him he just wanted to meet me first so he would know who was punching him when I get bad pain during the procedure. I must be able to feel the pain during the procedure so I can tell him if a certain disk causes pain but he gave me pills to relax me and also pills to help with the pain.
I almost kicked him with my "good" reflex actions of the good leg and he had to step back quickly and laughed. The bad leg barely moved though. JEAN