Just came back from an appointment with some folks at the pain management center at my local hospital. I actually saw the PA, so I listed it as 'New Pain and friends' on my calendar. The PA was great, and although I left without chemical enhancement, this was the first time I came away from a visit with hopes of an actual plan. That was awesome.
It seems like there's two extremes with such appointments-- either a big'ol script or lots of eval only to be shuffled off to somebody else. Then it's pretty much wash, rinse, and repeat. I frakking hate that! I get it if you don't want to send me on my chemically-enhanced-merry-way. I also get that I'm a complex case. Furthermore more, I understand the restrictions put on pain meds and the fact that they can burn out your dopamine receptors over time. I like those receptors and want to preserve them as much as possible.
This visit was so refreshing because there was a mutual understanding of what may help, what has helped, and what needs to happen to have a plan in place. We also discussed what my options are if the plan needs to be adapted and what limitations I might face from their end. This office is willing to send out notes to my other docs so that nobody is left with their dicks in the wind.
One of the things we discussed was Topomax. I have been on it in the past, but had to d/c it because it made me wig out. There was another med that helped with that problem, but my insurance no longer covers it and the black market won't take my kidney. I'm glad it came up though, since I may end up on it again at some point and wanted to know more about managing that side effect. The conversation went something like this:
New pain PA: So, was one of the medications you tried in the past Topomax?
Me: Yes, but it made me hardcore wig out.
PA: Like, anxiety? Or any racing thoughts?
Me: It made me extremely irrational.
PA: Gotcha...umm I'm just trying to think of the best way to put that in my notes...
Me: Batshit?
PA: (giggling) Yeah. In medical speak
No comments:
Post a Comment