Hi,
I am going to Phoenix for surgery on Apr 15th. They advise i find a local pain management doctor for post surgical pain, as i will be returning "post surgical".
I have reached out to many pain doctors and centers....they all say "They do not accept pelvic pain patients". How can this be??? My family doctor said "Well your getting injections, so you should not need post surgical pain management (I am not just getting injections, I am having surgery to address many issues) but Dr. Hibner's office said i will. They said if i lived in phoenix they would refer me to one of their pain management facilities, but its up to my family doctor to help me find someone locally. Any idea's??? How could this be????
Aunt Netty
Local Pain Management
Re: Local Pain Management
That is surprising! I've never heard of a pain clinic not treating pelvic pain patients. And your family doctor won't give you a referral? That is also puzzling.
Maybe you could ask Hibner's office to fax your pcp a memo explaining to that you need a pain doctor referral. (It would probably take two sentences and one of the fellows could write it). But you could also do some searching on your own. Are you close to a university with a medical school? If so, they may have a pain department/clinic. If you have a physical therapist, she could probably also give you suggestions. If you find a pain doctor who treats pelvic pain patients but don't have a referral, you could ask Hibner's office if they could provide it. Do you have a urogynecologist or an obgyn? If so, that doctor could also provide a referral. I would guess that those types of doctor have to make these kinds of referrals all the time.
April
Maybe you could ask Hibner's office to fax your pcp a memo explaining to that you need a pain doctor referral. (It would probably take two sentences and one of the fellows could write it). But you could also do some searching on your own. Are you close to a university with a medical school? If so, they may have a pain department/clinic. If you have a physical therapist, she could probably also give you suggestions. If you find a pain doctor who treats pelvic pain patients but don't have a referral, you could ask Hibner's office if they could provide it. Do you have a urogynecologist or an obgyn? If so, that doctor could also provide a referral. I would guess that those types of doctor have to make these kinds of referrals all the time.
April
Re: Local Pain Management
April,
Thanks for responding. I did reach out to my family doctor about this. I went to see him and gave him copy of my surgical detailed plan and for pre surgery clearance needed for Hibner. He sent me a referral to a local pain management doctor, which never contacted me. When I contacted them they told me they do not take pelvic pain patients. I called back to my family doctor....he told his nurse to tell me when i get the injections in phoenix i won't have any more pain so i do not need pain management. I explained to her i am not just getting injections, i am having surgery and re-read her the detailed plan and told her hibner's office told me they cannot set up local pain management for me, even if i lived in Phoenix, they would refer me to pain management there and i need to find one locally. She took my message for doctor. She called me back and said he said he can not help me. Honest to God. I am flying back post surgical. I must be frickin' nuts. When i went to my pelvic therapist she agreed that is not right at all, as she also has my surgical plan and she reached out to a pain management doctor she knows, he responded that he does not take pelvic pain patients. So, I guess my plan is a bottle of whisky (which i don't even drink) and a leather strap to bite down on. I am so upset. I reached out to 4 other pain management doctors i found locally on the internet and they told me they do not accept pelvic pain patients. Drug addicts seem to have no problem getting pain medications. I guess i could hit the streets of Youngstown, but i would probably be the one getting arrested and i'm sure i would not fair to well in jail. How does my family doctor not understand i am having surgery....real surgery..sorry. I just can't do this anymore. God knows i tried, We all have a breaking point and i think i've reached it.
Thanks for responding. I did reach out to my family doctor about this. I went to see him and gave him copy of my surgical detailed plan and for pre surgery clearance needed for Hibner. He sent me a referral to a local pain management doctor, which never contacted me. When I contacted them they told me they do not take pelvic pain patients. I called back to my family doctor....he told his nurse to tell me when i get the injections in phoenix i won't have any more pain so i do not need pain management. I explained to her i am not just getting injections, i am having surgery and re-read her the detailed plan and told her hibner's office told me they cannot set up local pain management for me, even if i lived in Phoenix, they would refer me to pain management there and i need to find one locally. She took my message for doctor. She called me back and said he said he can not help me. Honest to God. I am flying back post surgical. I must be frickin' nuts. When i went to my pelvic therapist she agreed that is not right at all, as she also has my surgical plan and she reached out to a pain management doctor she knows, he responded that he does not take pelvic pain patients. So, I guess my plan is a bottle of whisky (which i don't even drink) and a leather strap to bite down on. I am so upset. I reached out to 4 other pain management doctors i found locally on the internet and they told me they do not accept pelvic pain patients. Drug addicts seem to have no problem getting pain medications. I guess i could hit the streets of Youngstown, but i would probably be the one getting arrested and i'm sure i would not fair to well in jail. How does my family doctor not understand i am having surgery....real surgery..sorry. I just can't do this anymore. God knows i tried, We all have a breaking point and i think i've reached it.
Re: Local Pain Management
What a terrible situation. Never heard of this not taking pelvic patients. Have you been in pain management before? Were you ever discharged from a pain center? I can't understand why they are turning you down.
That is total BS not taking Pelvic patients. I cant think of a good reason why they would do that. They sure take them here and everywhere else it seems. Hopefully Dr Hibner will give you enough medicine to last for a few months that will give you additional time to find some help. I would call HIbners office and tell them what is happening and see what they suggest? Also like April said....any university hospitals you could go to.....I have an appointment with one two hours away as I still don't have a treating doctor. Our prayers are with you, so hang in there and don't give up. You have come too far let some idiot local doctor ruin it.
That is total BS not taking Pelvic patients. I cant think of a good reason why they would do that. They sure take them here and everywhere else it seems. Hopefully Dr Hibner will give you enough medicine to last for a few months that will give you additional time to find some help. I would call HIbners office and tell them what is happening and see what they suggest? Also like April said....any university hospitals you could go to.....I have an appointment with one two hours away as I still don't have a treating doctor. Our prayers are with you, so hang in there and don't give up. You have come too far let some idiot local doctor ruin it.
Re: Local Pain Management
Yes I have several times, never received any medication but received several injections...19 to be exact...piriformis, si joint, inguinal, pudendal, superior hyper gastric plexis....etc. When i got my last "chop job surgery" in 2015 the surgeon sent me to pain management then too..which told me they could not take me because they do not want to be involved in a litigation which Pain Dr. thought i should have against surgeon. I went to cleveland clinic top uro/gyno. he diagnosed PN/PNE and genito femoral, and piriformis, told me more than likely it was caused by my cycstocele rectocele repair...they believe Dr. Cameron who did the surgery was not even qualified, and said that Dr. Rashid who did my last surgery in 2015 should never have done surgery on me where he quotes on operative report "cut two nerves i could not identify coming out of mesh"...AS SOON AS I WOKE FROM THAT SURGERY I KNEW I WAS WAY WORSE WITH NEW ZAPPING SYMPTOMS IN SIT BONE AREA AND A FEELING I NEED TO PEE 24/7 IN LEFT SIDE OF BODY (SYMPTOMS WHICH I STILL HAVE)...Anyway, Dr. Barber, Uro/Gyno specialist at Clev Clinic said no more surgery ..and gave me the brush off to CC Pain Management Dr. Abdelmalak...joke. Received 3 injections from him which didn't work. One made my leg and foot swell up and i couldn't follow thru with my leg and had to use crutches for weeks. I called them as soon as i got home...they said "they are sure it has nothing to do with the injection"...my toe's looked like sausages...You really cant make it up. When i told him the injections were not working, and the lyrica almost gave me a stroke, can you please prescribe me something for pain (by the way i reported my results to lyrica...they basically responded that is why "lyrica is not for everyone" and took my information. Anyway, Dr. Abdelmalak told me they do not prescribe any opiate based pain medication unless the patient is terminal. You really cant make it up. Anyway, i received several injections prior to that at Doctor's Pain Clinic...when they didn't work..and hurt (they do not put you to sleep...i'm sure they heard me screaming in the waiting room...anyway i asked them for pain medication...they sent me directly to drug testing place..was told i had to go straight there or i would be removed from program...which i did...i was hair, blood, and urine tested. I passed all their tests and they prescribed me lidocane patches to stick on my ass and my leg...You can't make it up. I swear it is true. Sorry to keep going on....you cannot make it up. I feel so bad for people in pain and doctors who wont even attempt to improve the quality of their life.frigator wrote:What a terrible situation. Never heard of this not taking pelvic patients. Have you been in pain management before? Were you ever discharged from a pain center? I can't understand why they are turning you down.
That is total BS not taking Pelvic patients. I cant think of a good reason why they would do that. They sure take them here and everywhere else it seems. Hopefully Dr Hibner will give you enough medicine to last for a few months that will give you additional time to find some help. I would call HIbners office and tell them what is happening and see what they suggest? Also like April said....any university hospitals you could go to.....I have an appointment with one two hours away as I still don't have a treating doctor. Our prayers are with you, so hang in there and don't give up. You have come too far let some idiot local doctor ruin it.
Re: Local Pain Management
P.S. to answer question...No...i was never discharged from pain clinic?
Re: Local Pain Management
I'm sorry to keep going on...I really am. I know you all mean well and i really do wish the best for everyone who suffers in pain. It is life changing. I am a mother, i have worked full time my entire life....until it was destroyed by chronic pain...I was lead singer in a band for years too. Don't even know who i am anymore. Having urinary, and bowel accidents too. My sex life is over. I am only 50 years old. I have been dealing with this for years. I can't take it anymore. You really can't make it up. I am a christian, I pray for help, but if God did give a miracle, my life is half over....I would want to give it to a suffering child who has their whole life ahead of them. Just can't stand the chronic pain. I could take it for months, if i knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel. Sorry, Thank you for reading my "nasty ranting". I wish the best for everyone.
Re: Local Pain Management
Dear April and Frigator,
Very sorry about ranting last night. Have no one else to vent to. My husband doesn't want to hear anything medical. How nice is that...when it's not you. When it was him going through medical problems, I was right there for him researching, reassuring him, then he got better. What happens when you don't get better? Thats one of the reasons i avoid socializing anymore. Embarrassment from the way i now walk and twitching like i just got zapped by a taser. People don't know what to say..I just make a joke "Weeble's wobble but we don't fall down". No one really wants to hear how are you. That is just a greeting...How are you? I'm good...How are you??...you know. My first recent referral to pain management from my doc, the pain doc wont see anyone without recent scans...so it cost me out of pocket with 2 insurances...600 bucks for unnecessary xray of hip. Sent it to them...then they say they don't take pelvic pain patients. They new it was pelvic pain in the first place. My local pelvic therapist, whom i love, is Jean McConnell..did reach out to pain management doc she knew..i was there when she made the phone call...They said sorry, but we don't take pelvic pain patients. Can't make it up.
Sorry. Misery really doesn't love company....i wish God would take all our pain away. I just want my old self back...like i'm sure we all do. What happened to "How hopeful i was"? Leaving on Thursday. Talk to you on the other side. Thank you for allowing me to vent. Can't be "up" all the time, so when i'm feeling down, i allow myself that. Can't let it drive me insane. "Happy is the one who learns to bear what he can't change"...love Aunt Netty
Very sorry about ranting last night. Have no one else to vent to. My husband doesn't want to hear anything medical. How nice is that...when it's not you. When it was him going through medical problems, I was right there for him researching, reassuring him, then he got better. What happens when you don't get better? Thats one of the reasons i avoid socializing anymore. Embarrassment from the way i now walk and twitching like i just got zapped by a taser. People don't know what to say..I just make a joke "Weeble's wobble but we don't fall down". No one really wants to hear how are you. That is just a greeting...How are you? I'm good...How are you??...you know. My first recent referral to pain management from my doc, the pain doc wont see anyone without recent scans...so it cost me out of pocket with 2 insurances...600 bucks for unnecessary xray of hip. Sent it to them...then they say they don't take pelvic pain patients. They new it was pelvic pain in the first place. My local pelvic therapist, whom i love, is Jean McConnell..did reach out to pain management doc she knew..i was there when she made the phone call...They said sorry, but we don't take pelvic pain patients. Can't make it up.
Sorry. Misery really doesn't love company....i wish God would take all our pain away. I just want my old self back...like i'm sure we all do. What happened to "How hopeful i was"? Leaving on Thursday. Talk to you on the other side. Thank you for allowing me to vent. Can't be "up" all the time, so when i'm feeling down, i allow myself that. Can't let it drive me insane. "Happy is the one who learns to bear what he can't change"...love Aunt Netty
Re: Local Pain Management
Oh, Aunt Netty,
This is heartbreaking. So many surgeons and other doctors have failed you. I'm so sorry. It's entirely unjust, and my heart goes out to you. You are completely welcome to rant here. That's, in part, what this is for, and we all understand, although it does sound like you have gone through more than most of us. I cannot understand why there are no pain clinics taking pelvic pain doctors. You mentioned Youngstown and Cleveland, so I'm guessing you are in northeast Ohio. It looks like the Northeast Ohio Medical University is only 33 minutes from Youngstown. Have you called them to see if they have a pain clinic? Case Western is another good medical school in that area, but I think that would be further if you are in the Youngstown area. I've had good luck with university clinics and hospitals, and from reading this forum, I think others have too. So, that's why I'm thinking that might work.
Also, I've been meaning to mention that you could ask Corina if one of the fellows could call you back if you want to go over those questions (from a different thread) regarding the surgery. I also had questions before my surgery (and didn't want to wait until the pre-op appointment for some of them), so Corina sent a message to Hibner's office and a fellow called me back. It was a really helpful phone call. You can ask Hibner the questions in the pre-op appointment, but it might be nice to get some of the questions answered now. It may also leave more time for the other questions when you do meet with Hibner. Also, I had a hard time catching Corina on the phone, but email was a good way to contact her. Just an fyi in case you can't catch her on the phone.
Keep us posted.
April
This is heartbreaking. So many surgeons and other doctors have failed you. I'm so sorry. It's entirely unjust, and my heart goes out to you. You are completely welcome to rant here. That's, in part, what this is for, and we all understand, although it does sound like you have gone through more than most of us. I cannot understand why there are no pain clinics taking pelvic pain doctors. You mentioned Youngstown and Cleveland, so I'm guessing you are in northeast Ohio. It looks like the Northeast Ohio Medical University is only 33 minutes from Youngstown. Have you called them to see if they have a pain clinic? Case Western is another good medical school in that area, but I think that would be further if you are in the Youngstown area. I've had good luck with university clinics and hospitals, and from reading this forum, I think others have too. So, that's why I'm thinking that might work.
Also, I've been meaning to mention that you could ask Corina if one of the fellows could call you back if you want to go over those questions (from a different thread) regarding the surgery. I also had questions before my surgery (and didn't want to wait until the pre-op appointment for some of them), so Corina sent a message to Hibner's office and a fellow called me back. It was a really helpful phone call. You can ask Hibner the questions in the pre-op appointment, but it might be nice to get some of the questions answered now. It may also leave more time for the other questions when you do meet with Hibner. Also, I had a hard time catching Corina on the phone, but email was a good way to contact her. Just an fyi in case you can't catch her on the phone.
Keep us posted.
April
Re: Local Pain Management
April,
No I have not checked with Northeast Ohio Medical University or Case Western. I will look into that. Thank you sooo much for advise..it may be helpful.
As i am leaving tomorrow, I will just talk to Hibner when i get there, but thank you. Thank you for understanding that sometimes we just need to vent and making me feel ok about that...i was really going on. Thank you for your kindness. Will update when i can
Aunt Netty
No I have not checked with Northeast Ohio Medical University or Case Western. I will look into that. Thank you sooo much for advise..it may be helpful.
As i am leaving tomorrow, I will just talk to Hibner when i get there, but thank you. Thank you for understanding that sometimes we just need to vent and making me feel ok about that...i was really going on. Thank you for your kindness. Will update when i can
Aunt Netty