I have a problem with a pain management Nurse paractioner.?

Hello,

I have a 5 year history of chronic pain. I was found to have peripheral neuropathy with Allodynia, herniated cervical discs (C3- C5 that impinges upon the thecal sac) Inflammatory Arthritis in my knees, and Fibromyalgia. I have been going to a pain management clinic and have been Rx'd Oxycontin 60mg every 12 hours, Oxycodone 15mg 3 x day for BT pain and lidoderm 3 x day.

While this has not stopped all my pain it has reduced it from a 8-9 to a 4-5 on most days. I could not live a decent life without these meds.

Recently I was tested for Lyme disease and the tests came back positive, I am now on Antibiotics. I have been going to a pain clinic for a few months and I see a Nurse Practitioner there and she was the one who ordered the Lyme testing and told me to see a Lyme doctor.

She recently told me that narcotics do not work for Lyme pain and that they don't work on me. I tried to tell her differently but she would not listen. She said that my meds need to be tapered and stopped. When I again mentioned my bad discs she said that Lyme is causing it. Everything I have is now due to Lyme disease at least according to her. If she stops these meds I do not want to think about how bad my life will become. I have tried just about everything under the sun from NSAIDS to Biofeedback and everything in between and nothing else has reduced this GOD Awful pain.

How can someone act like this and work for a pain clinic? Am I missing something here? The pain I have has not changed. I have been lead to believe that Lyme can be as painful as cancer pain, yet cancer pain is treated.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Would it be a wise idea to speak to the actual Doctor and tell him what is going on? I saw him before I saw the NP and he was very understanding.

I wonder why the NP is saying that your pain is caused by Lymes Disease. Lymes Disease is caused by a being bitten by infected blacklegged ticks and symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rash. None of the symptoms should increase your pain, or really even give your body the type of pain you are talking about.

Did you have any of these symptoms for her to request a Lyme test? If not, then I would seriously consider going to see another doctor as well as talking to the head doctor at the pain clinic.

I do think pain clinics do a wonderful job. I attended a course about 5 years back now and learned different ways to adapt my life around my pain, meditation techniques and many other helpful things.

I'm not saying that a pain clinic is for everyone. It's not.

I'm surprised that the NP can change your medications. I would have thought that would be entirely up to the MD.

Definately talk to the MD about your concerns and if you are not happy, then go to another MD.

Thank you for the comments !!!

WWD: You are completely clueless !! You have no idea what living with chronic pain is truly like shame on you !! I would like to see you go from being an active person. One who exercises and gets out everyday to one who is bedridden.

The pain meds have restored my life !! There is no ceiling for narcotics and if one needs a large dose for pain management than so be it. BTW: I am on less pain medication now than I was a year ago. not that is is any of your business

I also forgot to add that I have Cervical stenosis and possibly Spondylosis/Myelopathy. I am waiting to get into see a new PCP.

I will insist on having a discography or myelograpy study done.

Thanks again