Chronic Pain Support Group

As a psychologist who works with pain patients every day, I am floored by some of the ridiculous things physicians say to their patients about their pain. I am wondering, what is the most outrageous thing a doctor has said to you about your pain? On the flipside, what is the most useful comment or statement your doctor has made about your pain?

Thanks. Aaron

I was seeing a doctor I absolutely loved. He was very caring, seemed to understand what I was going through, & took every step to keep me comfortable. When my pain wasn't easing, even while taking Lortab10 & percocet 10 on a regular basis, occ. two at a time, he decided he was going to put me on oxicontin. I had been fighting him on this decision because of the risk of addiction. It scared the heck out of me. I agreed to it at this time just so I could get some sort of relief.

I wasn't working at the time, and the meds were very expensive, even after insurance. I called my local DHS office & was qualified for medicaid to help with my doctor bills. Unfortunately, this doctor doesn't accept medicaid, but his partner does, so I had to start seeing him. Once I had somewhat gotten the pain under control, I decided to go off of the oxicontin, money issues.

On my next appt with this doctor, my boyfriend had gone with me. He was very upset seeing me go through what I had been going through, and no one knew why I was having to be on such a powerful pain med. I had been dxd with Interstitial Cysitis, with microscopic holes in my bladder. The pain I was experiencing wasn't just from the IC, this is all over my body, so we knew the pain wasn't from the IC.

On this visit to the doc, Chris was talking to the doc, telling him they needed to find out what's going on with me. He said the girl's sick, look at all the medecines she's taking. The doc looked at my chart, then looked at us & said, "There's always the possibility that she's just an addict and she's just looking for pain meds. It happens all the time." I just sat there, looking at him, astounded at what he had just said to us! I told him, "Now, don't you think that if I were an addict, I would want more and more of the oxicontin?" I was furious with this man! Needless to say, I didn't see him again.

How humiliating. I have found that it is easier for doctors to make broad generalizations about patients than actually take the time to try and figure out what is going on. ON one hand I can understand this as many doctors are overwhelmed with huge caseloads (especially those who see Medicaid patients). On the other hand many legitimate patients end up suffering needlessly in the process.

Sorry you had to go through that. I dont blame you for not going back. Did you talk with his partner about it...seems you had a good relationship with him....

AW

I did call my original doctor & talked to him a little, & asked him why he didn't accept medicaid. He was awesome while I head him. But then there was an instant where I was having them fill out paperwork for me for my LTD insurance. When asked what the reason for me not working was, he said,"She's not working? I don't know why she isn't." When the nurse told me this, I was VERY UPSET, to say the least. Said he acted at first like he didn't even know who they were talking about. I had the letter from him to my caseworker explaining why I was taken off work.

Sounds like something else may have been going on...

Don't complain because it will just worse and you will look back and be happy with where you were know. You will probably be in a wheel chair by the time your 25.

On the flip side... Not much. Haven't had very many good dr.'s. Probably something like there is hope, we can get it under control, lets try x, y, or z.

Doctors now a days are horrible, and to find a good one is far and few between! I hope my doc doesn't do that to me, cuz right now he is supposed to be helping me get disability, since he said that was my only option, and I agree'd work was too much for me. UGH! That is so scary! I feel like we have no rights when it comes to our pain control...and I am a nurse! Everything I was taught, well no one practices it. Goodluck everyone!

shamarie6,

I am so sorry about the betrayal from your Dr. It is so shocking when those words are spoken to us. I went to the same Dr. for five years. When he left the Dr that was in the group told me in the first five min that I was an addict, a Dr hopper yada yada yada. In that five years not once did they do an xray, MRI, cat scans, nothing. She then told me that he did not feel that I would be a good fit with thier clinic. I was so mad that after five yrs (some Dr. hopper) I did leave and found a Dr. that did believe me. She is the one who requested tests and sent me to specialists. I now have been sent to a pain specialist who has so far been very good to me. I am not fond of Dr's and do not trust them. I can only advise that you sit down and talk with him to see if he will review the file instead of jumping to conclusions. Keep us updated.

Dr. Wolfson,

One of the most outragous things a Dr. said to me was that I needed to get married and have a baby then my pain would not be so bad. (been there done that) This was after looking at an MRI showing a pinched nerve at L4/L5, disc protrusions in several areas from the cervical spine to the lumbar spine. Arthritis in every joint with bone spurs down my spine. Needless to say I was speechless.

The most helpful thing ever said to me was that even after so many problems have been discovered everywhere in my body I have a great will to get better. That I continue to work even though there are many living on SSI with less than I am dealing with. This gave me the encouragement to take one step at a time and hold the line when I can't move forward.