I have a appt w/ a pain manangement dr for the 1st time and am seeking advice?

I have chronic back pain from a surfing accident like 5 years ago. I did not have insurance at the time of the accident and never went to the dr. I was bed ridden for about 2 weeks and then it kind of got better. recently my back has been killing me. Since the accident I have been taking otc pain relievers and they were kind of working but recently are not doing a thing, which is why I have finally made the appt. That and I finally have insurance.





My question is - Does anyone know how this works? I am going to talk to the dr about a mri but with out one do pain mngmt dr's prescribe meds for pain to hold you over til they can look at your mri or am I gonna have to wait?





My friend has been giving me percocet 10/325 which I have been taking just periodically and it is doing wonders for the pain. Is it out of line to ask for a script? I don't want the dr to think I am seeking drugs but my back is killing me and I would feel alot better about taking meds that were prescribed for me. Not my friends.I have a appt w/ a pain manangement dr for the 1st time and am seeking advice?
The second responder has given you a good overview of a pain clinic visit.





I would highly recommend that you not discuss taking controlled medications illegally (which is what you did by taking your friend's Percocet). That is a felony, called diversion of controlled substances and is against many DEA regulations.





You should discuss the fact that you had been able to manage with OTC medications, but the pain is no longer manageable.





It is likely they will order diagnostic test, including the MRI or a CT depending on your exam and history. They will probably also order an analgesic medication.





It is likely they will not start with a drug as strong as Percocet 10/325. More likely, until they have some confirmation of a medical condition they will give you a one month supply of a hydrocodone medication. A likely choice would be Norco 5/325 or Norco 10/325.





Few pain physicians provide stronger medications to new patients who are not referred from another physician with the test results already in the chart. The medications they provide should manage your pain until the test results provide information on how to best control your symptoms.I have a appt w/ a pain manangement dr for the 1st time and am seeking advice?
Asking the Dr. for something to take is fine, especially since you feel the pain is debilitating. I'm honestly not sure if pain mgmt dr's prescribe without an MRI, as I've never been to one. However, I don't see why they wouldn't. Asking for a *specific* medication may cause some hesitation there, but I don't see why they wouldn't give you something, since OTC's aren't working.
Agree with last two. Don't ask for narcotics that is a red flag for sure and may not be the best course for you anyway. A rx NSAID may work even better since OTC ones were working. Also things like PT/exercises may also help and be ordered. Usually If you need narcotics you will have then prescribed
At the first appointment they will ask you to fill out some paperwork that asks for insurance information, your other information such as address, phone number, primary care physician if you have one, your pharmacy, your medical history including drug allergies. They will ask on there if the accident was related to on the job as well.





Also, in the paperwork they will include a contract for you to read explaining the policies of the practice and what will happen if your medicine (depending on what medicines they give you) should ever get stolen.





Then after that if the practice is set up this way (many are but not all I say this because of the fact that some Pain Management doctors are about giving injections for pain control than giving oral meds) they will take your weight and blood pressure. The reason is because some meds are affected by the weight and blood pressure such as maybe making a blood pressure too high or too low.





After that is done you will then be taken to the room and they may ask you to take your shirt off and put on a gown (sometimes this is done to make it easier for the doctor to do an exam). Then you will wait for the doctor.





When the doctor comes in they may introduce themselves and then start with asking about the problem so that they can get an idea of the problem. If you have brought x-rays with you to this appointment they may look at them and go over them with you (some doctors will require this to get a better idea of what's going on and so as not to repeat certain tests in some cases).





After the bit of talking about the history of the injury they will do an exam by checking to see which areas of your back hurt more than others if certain areas hurt more. After the exam they may start to order tests like an MRI to see what is going on.





They may ask what meds you have tried but I wouldn't recommend mentioning getting the medicine from your friend because it will cause a red flag to go up. Just mention other medicines you may have tried and then let them know that they didn't work. Also, when describing your pain in addition to the using the scale of 1-10 (with 10 being the worst pain you have ever had) use words like sharp, dull, burning, etc to describe some of what you feel with this pain. This will help the doctor get more information to help them figure out what kind of a treatment plan to come up with to help you with your pain.





If you have other questions for me please feel free to e-mail me off site any time.