Re: Pain Clinic Update cont'd-Ginny
From: Ginny King (gking@myrickre.com)
Fri Jul 16 19:40:53 1999
At Fri, 16 Jul 1999, smithy@maine.rr.com wrote:
>
>At Fri, 16 Jul 1999, gking@myrickre.com wrote:
>>
>>At Fri, 16 Jul 1999, chris wrote:
>>>
>>>Hi again:
>>>
>>>The pain clinic called and said no, they would not be able to make a
>>>verbal report to my pcp and that he would get the faxed report on
>>>Tuesday. So I took 600 mg ibuprofen and planned to take it every 6
>>>hours. 5 minutes later the pcp calls (guess the nurse told him I was
>>>very upset) and tells me the reason he said no was because there are two
>>>drugs that sound exactly the same, Celebrex and Celesta (something like
>>>that) and he wanted to read the report to be sure which one it was.
>>>Celebrex is an antiinflammtory and Celesta (or whatever) is an
>>>antidepressant. I told him the doc said "one of the new
>>>antiinflammatories with less side effects" and the fact that I knew the
>>>Celesta was an antidepressent convinced him I guess because then he said
>>>"well, in that case if you're sure we can try Celebrex and see if it
>>>helps. Come into the office and pick up some samples". I can't start
>>>it until tomorrow because I didn't wait long enough before taking the
>>>ibuprofen! At least I won't have to fill a prescription (very expensive)
>>>if the samples don't work as well as I'm hoping for.
>>> Hey, was this an example of effective communication?
>>>
>>>--
>>>Chris S.
>>>
>>Hey Chris,
>>
>>Sounds like you handled the "communication" thing very well. Too bad
>>they had to upset you so before they did something about it. I hope the
>>medication works for you. I am a firm believer that "other" outside
>>forces can complicate adhesion pain. I know I have adhesions, and the
>>pain I have partially comes from that, but there is something else going
>>on in my GI system that is aggravating an already bad situation. I sure
>>hope they find something. This last episode of bleeding and infection
>>have been going on for almost three months now and I am sooo tired. I'm
>>sure all of us can relate to the pure fatigue that sets in from being in
>>pain for so long. Best wishes over the weekend. (Thanks for the tip on
>>Fleet. Probably too late for me to do this go around as it's Friday
>>night and I'll never get the doctor to call me back over the weekend!?
>>but I will keep it in mind for the next time, as I'm sure there will be
>>one.) I guess I'm sounding like I'm having a pity party, sorry. Just
>>tired. Take care. Ginny
>
>Hi Ginny:
>No, you're not having a pity party. Being in pain so long does that too
>you. I decided my problem is that I don't complain about pain loudly
>enough so I probably give them the impression that everything is okay. I
>thought back to the recovery room after my last lap. They kept asking
>me if I wanted pain med and I didn't think I needed it so I said no. I
>knew from experience the real pain wouldn't begin for a day or two. So
>maybe I do this in the doctor's office too, without realizing it. And
>my doctor isn't the type to offer it himself I guess. Then, when it
>gets to me I blow up and everyone wonders "what's her problem?" I
>couldn't believe this pain clinic could be so inflexible not to call
>over a verbal recommendation of the drug. I will put this on the
>evaluation form they gave me. At least my pcp came through in the end.
>I still have to discuss giving me the wrong MRI report with him though.
>I hope everything goes well for you on Monday and you get some answers.
>Please let us know as soon as you can.
>
>Chris
Hey Chris,
Yeah I do the same thing. I even catch myself answeing "I'm fine" when
the nurse or doctor ask how I'm doing when I go in for an appointment
and I'm not fine, I feel awful. I have tried not to cry or complain as
it seems to upset my husband a lot and so I hold it all in until a case
like this last Tuesday and I went into complete hysterics. I just
couldn't "pretend" for everyone anymore. Not that my husband is not
supportive, but he has never experienced any kind of long term illness
or pain and can't relate. It doesn't help when I go through these test
and they come back "normal" I do appreciate all the support that people
on this site give. I know "I am not alone" Thanks again. Ginny