Pain Management Appt

[Guest guest]

I had my first (and last) appointment with a " Pain Management Specialist " today.

I was

looking forward to this, as I know many of you have had luck going this route.

Two unimpressive things: Had me wait 1 hour and 10 minutes to see him and spent

a

grand total of 15 minutes with me. Secondly, his staff failed to retrieve my

medical records

from my referring physician (the one I am spending $5K/year to " retain " ), so he

had no

clue as to what my history was, CMT, etc. When he asked me to stand on my

toes/heels, I

am sure I looked at him like he was crazy. I told him that I can no longer do

this due to

CMT, and he looked at me like I was joking...seriously.

My issue:

I need off tramadol. I can't get off tramadol because I am in pain and I am

addicted to

tramadol. Tramadol can have some pretty serious side effects, but the one that I

am trying

to " treat " is a complete lack of libido. Tramadol has decreased my testosterone

levels,

which we suspect has led to this libido issue. I have tried testosterone creams,

and this has

not helped.

I won't take Neuontin due to the traumatic withdrawal that I experienced. Can't

take Lyrica

because it makes me crazy. Don't want to take anti-depressants like Cymbalta.

Don't

really want to take any drug, which I know makes the " drug dispensers " of the

world crazy.

So, he mentioned that I might really benefit from their " comprehensive program "

which I

know very little about but he mentioned that I would be meeting with a Dr.

,

who happens to be a " Pain Psychologist " (no thanks) and that it would involve

" biofeedback " ...don't know much about it, but this is probably another " no

thanks " .

Is there nothing new out there that might help alleviate my neuropathic pain? I

would be

willing to take a drug if there were no sexual side effects. I am not interested

in going to a

regular appointment...I have two small children at home and want to spend my

time with

them. I am frankly sick and tired of doctors visits. I am not interested in

being

" psychoanalyzed " ...I already know I am crazy:) Ha!

Any feedback? Ideas?

Thanks!

Amy