Re: At what point do Rheumotologist start giving serious pain medications

[Guest guest]

Most Rheumy's prefer not to give serious pain meds, since that is what they are

advised to do. If you read any books from the Arthritis Foundation they say the

same thing. My doc told me he doesn't like to give narcotic pain meds ( he does

make a few exceptions) because they often mask the pain instead of actually

improving what causes the pain, and they therefore can sometimes miss serious

inflammation or injury. He prefers to switch up my cocktail of meds, add a

short course of medrol or give me a short course of something like celebrex if I

have pain while he works to change the underlying meds. Another rheumy also

told me that often the pain from RA comes from damage caused already (that

cannot be reversed) or from osteoarthritis or bursitis secondary to the RA. He

said this is often the case when meds seem to take away fatigue and inflammation

but not pain.

That being said, we need to have a quality of life, and that's maybe where a

different kind of doctor comes in (pain management?). But I would guess that

because so many Rheumy's are saying the same thing it has to be some aspect of

their training. , Are there any guidelines from the American College of

Rheumatology? I'm just curious.

beth in Bayport

[Guest guest]

My personal belief is that they want to remove the liability of pain meds and

put it on the shoulders of another who is in business for that reason only, and

thus willing to do what is necessary to address the pain. I really think its a

selfish move, because I have heard from many others,that say their doc does it.

Not trying to be mean about it, just stating my thoughts about it.......Cassy

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> Most Rheumy's prefer not to give serious pain meds, since that is what they

are advised to do. If you read any books from the Arthritis Foundation they say

the same thing. My doc told me he doesn't like to give narcotic pain meds ( he

does make a few exceptions) because they often mask the pain instead of actually

improving what causes the pain, and they therefore can sometimes miss serious

inflammation or injury. He prefers to switch up my cocktail of meds, add a

short course of medrol or give me a short course of something like celebrex if I

have pain while he works to change the underlying meds. Another rheumy also

told me that often the pain from RA comes from damage caused already (that

cannot be reversed) or from osteoarthritis or bursitis secondary to the RA. He

said this is often the case when meds seem to take away fatigue and inflammation

but not pain.

>

> That being said, we need to have a quality of life, and that's maybe where a

different kind of doctor comes in (pain management?). But I would guess that

because so many Rheumy's are saying the same thing it has to be some aspect of

their training. , Are there any guidelines from the American College of

Rheumatology? I'm just curious.

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> beth in Bayport

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