If you can not relate to your doctor, if you feel intimidated by your doctor, if you are not getting better, and if your doctor is not compassionate, it is time to move on and find new choices. Ask other people you know for references of good doctors they may know. A place that may be of help to you as it was for me is going to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic has two locations, one in Scottsdale, AZ and in Minneapolis, MN. Their email address is
There are many physicians or medical doctors that practice pain management, but choosing someone that is "board certified in pain medicine" would confirm that they completed formal pain management training and at passed a written board examination ensuring expertise and knowledge in this sub-specialty. Pain Medicine is a sub-specialty that requires one year of fellowship training in an accredited pain management program in addition to the normal medical residency or specialty training which is typically either in the specialty of Anesthesiology, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, or Neurology.You can check with the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) website: http://backandneck.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=backandneck&cdn=health&tm=76&gps=221_795_1090_789&f=10&tt=12&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.abms.org/Who_We_Help/Consumers/verifying.aspx to check your physician's specialty certifications.
Also, most pain specialists are leery of treating chronic pain patients that are self-referred and without any medical records to verify their medical history and pathology. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in this country and physicians that prescribe narcotic analgesics have been provided with guidelines for prescribing these drugs. Patients should not feel offended if a pain specialist refuses to prescribe narcotic analgesics: without being provided copies of your medical records to review; without obtaining a urine drug screen; without a signed chronic opioid agreement; and without a referral from a physician.
My belief is that narcotic analgesics is not for everyone. Not all patients with chronic pain respond to narcotic analgesics. The best approach in treating chronic pain is to set realistic expectations for the patient and using a multi-disciplinary approach. The use of Psychiatrists and Pain Psychologists are beneficial in managing co morbid depression and anxiety, identifying personality disorders or types; and in improving the patients' coping skills and providing cognitive behavioral therapy.
Dental Requirements
Many people wouldn’t think of a dentist on a Chronic Pain Support Board. People in chronic pain are dealing with the effects from it and may have hidden dental problems that can cause other health issues.People with metal in their bodies need to know they must pre-medicate prior to dental cleaning as well as other procedures. Also, not having proper teeth cleaning can lead to heart problems. I was not told this by my doctor; I was told by my dentist that these problems could occur.Choose a dentist as you would a doctor.
