Changed Pain Clinics

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone. I hope you guys are having a good day today. I'm just

writing to update you guys on what's happening currently in my life.

Today was my 1st visit to a different pain management clinic. I had

become disenchanted with my previous clinic which I had been

attending monthly for the past 6 years. Throughout this period I

have been on varying dosages of MS Contin (from 120mg 3 times per day

to a low of 60mg 3 times per day) and MSIR (morphine sulfate instant

relief) for my breakthrough pain. Initially, I would see a doctor on

every visit but over the past couple of years I only got to speak

with a doctor quarterly (4 times per year!) I finally got fed

up with this practice and meanwhile, had been getting less and less

benefits

from the MS Contin and taking more and more MSIR as my pain began to

escalate. The new pain clinic I now attend is not only closer to my

home but also much more convenient for me as it has free parking and

is away from downtown Atlanta. I was told that I would speak with my

doctor upon every visit! What a thrill! I no longer have to feel as

if I'm going to a " pill dispensory " . He immediately took me

off of my previous pain meds and replaced them with methadone. This

scared me initially as I always thought this drug was given to drug

addicts to help with the symptoms of withdrawal as they attempted to

get off of heroin. Boy, was I wrong. While I was told it may take a

couple of days for the drug to reach it's level of effectiveness, I

received benefits almost immediately. I feel like a new person! I

could kick myself for not doing this sooner. Perhaps I wouldn't have

lost my job if I had done this sooner, who knows? Anyway, since I

finally had some positive news to tell, I wanted to share it with the

group. Perhaps there is someone else out there just " marking time "

as they go to doctors who are just stringing them along. I should

have known better being the veteran patient that I have been for so

many years. It just goes to show you, even those of us who have been

dealing with this illness for over 30 years can still make errors in

judgement that can ultimately affect the level of treatment we

receive. Remember, always stay proactive about your health care and,

if you feel you are not getting the level of care you deserve, move

on to someone who will give to you what you have come to expect and

deserve.