What can I expect from a Dr. specializing in Pain Management?

I have an appt with a Pain Management Dr. next Friday and am wondering what to expect. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and am currently taking Tramadol, which is not very effective. What is the likelihood that the Dr. will prescribe a stronger pain medication? I am in a lot of pain. : (

I have been to several pain management doctors. Typically they start out with a survey of your pain where you show on a chart where the pain is, the intensity, what helps it, what makes it worse, when its worse morning or night. Then they do an exam to check for other reasons for the pain. Then they ask what you have tried both meds and adjunctive therapy like physical therapy, massage, etc. They ask if anything helped. Then they will go over options, And based on their feelings and your wants, needs they make a treatment plan. It typically includes medications, adjunctive therapy and behavior modification if appropriate.
They are really good and will work hard to get better control of your pain. Be open with them and willing to try any medications they suggest. I for one know when my last PM wanted to try methadone I was outraged as I knew it to be used for heroin addicts until he explained that low doses are also used for pain management and very effectively. So I tried it and it has made a huge difference in my life. I actually have a life again instead of being in so much pain that I just layed on the couch all day. Good luck next Friday.

good luck i was currently prescribed tramadol and zanaflex and i had been use to taking lortab 7.5 and soma. it's like because people abuse pain meds and now we have to suffer just because the doctors prescribe pain meds to people who don't really need them. i also have 4 hernaited disc in my back,degenerative disc disease and all the doctor has to say is your back is too bad for your age.

there is minimal success with narcotic pain meds and FMS--theyjust don't work for many people

FMS is due to a problem with the central nervous system---narcotics work on musculoskeltal causes..

it really depends on how good teh doc is (any specialty)=--i went to a pain specialist--he was a pompous jerk--all he did was puch drugs--did not understand FMS at all