How do I get a doctor to understand my pain

[LilBunny1968]

I recently was diagnosed with Lupus. I am seeing a rheumotologist however, he does not get involved with pain management. I was then in a car accident last June. So, still suffering with neck pain, headaches & shoulder pain. My Rheumo told me to go to my primary care provider. I have tried that, and have seen 3 different ones. They all treat me like I am just a drug seeker or even recently I was told that not all patients asking for pain meds are addicts, some of them sell it on the streets! I was so insulted! I wake up daily in severe pain and stiffness! Sometimes I take 1 pill a day and when I am doing really bad I take up to 3 a day. I just need someone who will understand that I am not an addict! I take them when I need them only!

[LilBunny1968]

Thank you so very much for taking time to read and respond to my post. Yes, I do have documentation/blood work that proves that I have an autoimmune disease. I think that's what is so frustrating. I am in Rapid City, South Dakota, if any of the other members here are in the same city or close by I would love to chat!
Again, Thank you all for your care and concern.

Terri

[Tuckamore]

Hi LilBunny,

Welcome to MedHelp's Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us but I am very sorry to hear about your pain the the problems that it presents for you. Many of us have been where you are and can understand what you are going through.

It took me years before someone took me seriously and correctly diagnosed my condition. But I gave up and I should not have done that. I suffered needlessly. It may be your approach when you see a PCP. If you say you are there specifically to obtain pain medication that makes them suspicious. If you approach them with in a soft kind manner such as, I have pain and what treatments are available for me, what will help me make my life worth living again, they may be more open and less suspicious.

I wish you the very best. Please keep us updated and let us know how you are doing. If you just need to chat, sometimes that helps and we are here. We may have other members from your state that can offer more specific information than I. Others will post with their suggestions also. Again, don't give up. There is a physician that will believe you and treat you. I look forward to your next post. Take Care, Tuck  

[MontanaGurl]

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH CINDEE56, I HAVE A ROOMY ALSO FOR MY R.A. AND AT FIRST HE DIDN'T WANT TO HELP ME BUT, I JUST SAT IN THE ROOM AND EXPLAINED TO HIM AT LENGTH THAT THIS WAS VERY HARD FOR ME, I WORK HAVE A FAMILY AND A VERY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE AND I NEED TO HAVE SOME SORT OF PAIN MANAGEMENT BESIDES BEING TOLD TO TAKE NAPROXIN OR SOME SORT OF NSAID.  AT THE TIME I WAS SELF PAY BECAUSE I WAS STILL WORKING ON MY DEDUCTIBLE FOR MY INSURANCE AND I BROUGHT THAT UP IN THE CONVERSATION AND TOLD HIM THAT THE REASON THAT I CAME TO HIM WAS TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH ME, WHY I WAS HAVING SO MUCH PAIN AND TO GET HELP FOR IT.  AND IF I HAD TO PAY FOR MY APPT IN FULL WHICH WAS ABOUT 350.00 THAN I WANTED SOME HELP OR REFUND MY MONEY.  I WAS PRETTY ADAMANT ABOUT GETTING SOME HELP SO HE FINALLY SAID HE WOULD GO AHEAD AND WRITE A SCRIPT FOR 60 5MG OXY'S WHICH I TOOK 2 A DAY.  JUST BE HONEST AND FIRM AND IF YOU ARE PAYING FOR YOUR APPT'S THAN BRING THAT UP TO THE DOCTOR ALSO DURING THE APPT.  DONT BE AFRAID OR EMBARRASED TO ASK FOR PAIN MEDS.  YOU ARE THE ONE SUFFERING AND THE DOCTOR DOESNT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN YOU DO AND THAT IS WHY YOU ARE GOING THERE IS TO GET HELP NOT TO BE PUT DOWN AND MADE TO FEEL LIKE AN ADDICT.  PLUS IF YOU DO HAVE THE TEST RESULTS THAT PROVE YOU HAVE LUPUS THAN THAT IS ANOTHER ARGUMENT YOU HAVE, YOU HAVE A DOCUMENTED DISEASE THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO BE VERY PAINFUL AND YOU NEED HELP FOR IT.  I HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD LUCK AND DONT GIVE UP, GO TO ANOTHER TOWN TO A DOC IF YOU HAVE TO BUT KEEP LOOKING UNTIL YOU FIND HELP.   KEEP US POSTED ON UPDATES OR IF YOU CANT SLEEP OR JUST WANT TO CHAT / VENT.  IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS SEND ME A PM.................TALK TO YOU LATER....................MONTANAGURL

[Cindee56]

I can't understand why your rheumatologist can't help you.  They are supposed to treat and manage lupus.  This is ridiculous.  I would find another one.  I assume you have the blood tests to prove that you are not a *drug seeker* and really have an auto-immune disease.