What can you do when doctors downplay your pain?

Michelle Maree · #1 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 10:17 AM

What do you do when doctors downplay your pain because their is no real obvious reason just severe bone on bone DDD?
Has anyone been in this situation, where they have been in moderate to severe pain most days because of severe disc degeneration and had a doctor because their is no obvious nerve interference look at you as if your nuts?

Michelle Maree · #2 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 10:34 AM

I am so sick of others placing a value judgement on my pain.I am the one who has to live in this sore body day after day and I dont take 50mg of opiates a day for kicks,I wish!!
What are others experiences of not being "heard" and how did you deal with these demorallising attitudes?

Keano16 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 12:20 PM

I had a similar situation.

My first doctor who made first operation could not find source of pain, he thought I was crazy.

His friend, the second doctor, want to install scews (a.k.a FUSION).

3rd, respected, young, talented and highly-educated neurosurgeon understood me, made second surgery, and now he made a plan to make 2-3 more surgeries.

The point it - you need to find qualified and modern neurosurgeon/surgeon.

Gil Denis · #4 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 05:09 PM

Hi Michell

I am in the same situation

I returned from seeing a Doctor in Salt Lake Meric Schmitz he suggested a spine nerve stimulater to relive my nerve pain?

When I asked if this would relieve my low back pain his reply was " You will have to live with that "

I think he was not willing to take my case because of all my spine issues and pushed me off to a pain clinic.

All The Best

Gil

dshobbies · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 07:03 PM

MM,

A pain management specialist is more likely to take your pain seriously. However, just as with any other specialty, some are better than others. I liked my first pm but changed because he charged $50 for a jury summons report and other things that bothered me. My new pm is so much more thorough I'm amazed at the difference. However, both are/were concerned with my pain and its source.

Even my GP, when I asked him to take over my pain management (I'm quite stable) which he agreed to do, recommeneded another pm for just in case purposes. He felt someone should be familiar with my specific circumstances.

Also, a good pm can recommend someone (s)he feels will give your back the attention it deserves.

Good luck, Dale

fuzzy · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2009, 11:44 PM

YES I have. I had a similar situation with my lumbar for years they told me to go away it is what it is and live with it. Never mind the then mild but increasing neuro symptoms as the pictures did not show them. So they don't exist its in my head (yeah, right). I have the same now with my cervical. Some doctors seems to not want to deal with cases that are difficult i. e. are more work and no easy answer. It definitely is about finding the right (expert for a reason) doctor. You are not alone and its tough and frustrating.

dridobits · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2009, 10:19 PM

For the first four years of my injury I wasn't getting proper pain controll and the docs at my HMO made it out like I was making it all up as they didn't know what my problem was, nor did they take any interest to figure it out.

I hate to say it but I think the thing to do is get as far away from those docs who don't understand, cause they probably won't ever understand. I paid out of pocket for many years for pain controll as I wasn't getting help from my HMO. Disgusting. I was really bad off. Even if you can find someone outside of your insurance to write a really strong letter to the right docs can make a huge difference. Sometimes that's all it takes. I think this is a fairly common thing and something I just won't stand for anymore.

Years later, they are finally treating me...but I went through hell and back getting them to treat me. I think I get treated now because I am able to stick up for myself now and I get in their face when they pretend something isn't wrong. If you don't feel well enough to advocate for yourself, try to get a friend or family involved. I'm sorry your going through this. I went through it for a long time and now I will just get in their face if they do that to me. I can't deal with it anymore. Hugs.