Pain management clinic. What can I expect?

I have recurrent pancreatitis, non-specific colitis and horrible upper back, neck, arm and hand pain. The back pain we are still trying to figure out the cause. My doctors are sending me to a pain management clinic now because taking 2 10mg Lortab per day isn't doing enough. What can I expect? Only 2 pills per day doesn't give me the all day relief I need, but helps somewhat. My quality of life isn't good and I have a lot of trouble sleeping. I have trouble caring for my 4 month old twins because of the arm and hand pain as well. I'd like to hear from pain management patients what their experiences have been like and what kind of treatment they get. Thank you so much.

I would consider any pain relief, not just drugs. I just need to not be in this degree of pain anymore.

Hi Amy,

Pain management clinics usually have a multidisciplinary focus, the idea being that you have a 'team' all in the one place who can communicate with you and each other. This usually includes pain management specialists (possibly other doctors as well), rehabilitation specialists, occupational therapists, physios, psychologists. and so on.

Their aim is to come up with a pain management plan that works for you. Some of it might involve medication, although this is often not the focus of a PMC. Some might, for example, involve teaching you different ways to think about, and therefore manage your pain or ways of teaching your body to relax so that you can get some rest.

Although they are invaluable for some people, I personally do not like them much. It's handy, I guess, to have everything under one roof, but the downside is that you're usually only allowed to deal with their staff. I have had a lot of problems just recently - I have been looking for a psych experienced in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, the condition I suffer from. My GP tracked down one who sounded great. Only problem was that he turned out to be part of a pain management clinic and would only see me if I dumped my current doctor and physio and began dealing with their people instead...

I have my pain management doctor (who is also a rehab specialist), my physio, and my GP. They are all in separate places but all talk to each other, I have a great relationship with all of them, and for me that is the better option. My PM doctor and GP handle my medications between them, and my GP is always there as someone to talk to, because I can't find a psych who suits me. But each to their own - you really don't know until you try it I guess.

I hope that helps, and hope that you find a way to get your pain under control.

Kind regards.

You can expect what you are going in there for.......drugs. Make sure this is a good doc, he does what he is suppose to etc.

Maintain the lowest possible working dose as long as possible.