Update on Husbands visit with New Doctor

[Cats Meow]

I have procrastinated long enough on updating I kept telling myself I would get around to it. Then I had a bit of a cold and it’s still lingering and I hate choking down that airborn stuff to ward off colds. Personally I hate drinking anything with an odd taste.

So in the past few weeks he went to the doctors one of the follow-ups was actually with the doctor we first saw colleges (owner of the practice). We plan to stay with the first doctor we saw we were very satisfied with how he conducted himself and answered all of our questions and concerns actually spent more then 5 min with us and actually listened. His college and well is the actually owner we were scheduled with him (due to the auto insurance reason) we saw him he spoke with us all of 5 minutes said it’s all soft tissue damage and after physical therapy he should be fine filled his medication for the month (LA) and scheduled trigger point injection with the doctor we first saw. So I told my husband just follow his instructions and we would ask the doctor we first saw when we go for the trigger point injections why there is such a discrepancy between the two of them.

So fast forward he goes in for the injection (neck area) and that doctor asked why we saw the other doctor. We explained that is the way the front office scheduled it due to something with the insurance but we plan on disputing and we prefer to see him. He said while the first doctor does make some valid points he pretty much glossed over the main issue’s he said that with my husbands past history even though this recent one does reflect mostly soft tissue damage he plans to mostly address the back pain because his neck pain is chronic and with previous surgeries it limits the options with injections. He said acupuncture may help (the owner does this) but would be temporary most likely and if we would like we could do the acupuncture with a tens unit applied to the needle called PENS. I have never heard of this but it sounded interesting but again it may not provide long relief.

As it stands now we plan to follow under the guidance of this doctor he takes the time to explain the reason for his approach. My husband will go in for a first round of injections (RF) as a trial if he gets any relief from that he will go for a second to rule out placebo affect. After that they will go and burn the nerves if the first two trials prove satisfactory with 50% in pain reduction. He said after his first RF he will be provided with a Pain Journal (of course I’ll be the one updating that) and that day he goes home he is not to lay around all day he is to do normal activities so we can document what triggers the pain (he’ll be cleaning the house… Hint Hint :p) also not to expect huge relief after the first round that it will be leading up to when they actually go in and burn the nerves.

That is were things stand for now I hope things continue great with this doctor it was a bit awkward with the discussion about when we saw his college but again I think they both practice differently he said although he respects his college they both have different approaches… The nurses also seem to be in a better mood around this doctor, which makes for a pleasant visit. Also he said from here on out he will be the only one to write my husbands scripts the other doctor screwed up the dates and now we have to work to get everything back on track because we were still in the process of tillerating the dose every two weeks. Luckily this Long Acting seems to be working fine so should not need any adjustment at the moment. Oh he did change his SA from Loratab 10mg to Percocet 10mg 2 x daily for breakthrough. Hopefully this works better.

Ok well I had better get back to work I’m trying to get on here and comment between my project deadlines. And I have no time when I get home most of the time… go figure! :p

Hope everyone is doing well!

[Mark N]

CM, it sounds like you found a good doctor that you can work with. What does your husband say about this guy? It is nice to find a doctor that talks to you and explains what is going on and what the plan is. I hope he continues to be a good doctor for your husband.

[Mark N]

bumping to the top hoping some others see this and respond.

[Kathi49]

I am glad you bumped this up Mark.

CatsMeow,

I think in reading it I got a bit confused. Is your husband having a set of injections and THEN an RF? I am sorry...just got a bit confused. :o

[Cats Meow]

Hey Mark,

My husband really likes this doctor but he is still a bit hesitant. Mostly cause we really liked our last doctor and never expected that type of outcome. I will say this doctor is better at explaining his reasoning. I was also shocked with the amount of trust he displays. He said he would never have a problem with us obtaining the prescription for his long acting a day or two ahead since our pharmacy does not stock this on a normal basis and if their came a time he was due for a refill to call him and he would have it ready the day before for pick up to keep from an overlap.
I do hope it does continue and same with my husband. I think my husband is still in shock that anyone would be willing to help him given his age and appearance but this doctor his taken a guanine interest in making sure he has a decent quality of life.

Kathi,

When the doctor was discussing it with me at first I got confused too. To be honest I may not even be naming these injections correctly. I know with his first doctor he went in several times it would normally be roughly every 3 months he would go in and they would go and inject something between the facet joints to help relieve the pain. I wish I could remember what exactly the name but I know when I called to schedule I said it was for his facet block procedure. His first doctor never mentioned anything about burning the nerve endings. He received minimal relief with the facet blocks but wanted to keep trying hoping maybe next time it work.

With this new doctor the way he described what he was going to be doing sounded like nothing he has ever had in the past. He said not to expect a huge difference the first time and of course I forgot to ask what it was he would be injecting if anything at all but he said by the third time he would be going in and burning those nerve endings. He said that it would all be under a local and he would not feel much pain afterwards. I suppose that would be because the nerve ending that are burned could no longer relay a pain signal to the brain.

If anyone knows the technical names to these procedures please let me know because I am very positive I have goofed up the names. Trying to keep up with the exact names of all his procedures along with the type of meds he takes can be a bit overwhelming at times.

[Mark N]

CM, it is so nice when you find a doctor that does try to give you a better quality of life. I am glad this doctor is that kind of man.

[Kathi49]

Cats Meow,

It sounds as if he is going to do what my own PM does which is to do the facet injections twice and then have an RF. I have only had this done in my lumbar and not my neck. But I wouldn't hesitate to do it again...it was actually easier on me than the actual injections. But that was the Versed and whatever else was put in that IV! :D Anyway, it worked very well for a year...up until this past January. Right now I could kick myself for telling him that I didn't need a SECOND set of injections because the first ones worked pretty well for awhile. Anyway, the nerves regenerate (which I think is where I am at now) and you can just have it repeated.

And don't feel bad I was VERY confused about the RF procedure at the very beginning; just didn't quite understand what was going to be done and was terrified. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that he said I would be awake but wouldn't remember it. And...he was right! I just do not recall most of it...just bits and pieces but nothing painwise. I think I was just talking and/or answering him. But God only knows what I said LOL!

I hope your husband gets some relief and this second doctor sounds like he is on the ball. :)