Hi Bella.
Hi Hylight
, I thought it’d be better to answer your questions this way, so I don’t miss anything.
Does your pain management there drug test you as part of a requirement and what are your feelings about that.
Yes. I get tested every 3 months, they want to make sure you are honest about the other drugs you are taking and they want to make sure you have the pain drug(s) you are prescribed in your system, i.e., you’re not selling them instead.
I understand why they do this, but it makes things difficult. I’d like to go back on benzos and the pain doc is all about getting people on opiates not to take benzos due to the risks of respiratory problems. So unfortunately, I have turned to alcohol (tequila shots) for my anxiety, which may be worse.
I would gladly give up thc if necessary. I just would smoke lightly right after appointments and would smoke responsibly like that.
I think most CA pain docs are good with THC since it’s legal. And actually I was taking benzos, too, when I started seeing the pain doc. I just screwed myself over when I stopped taking them. He now thinks I’m fine without them.
It helped tremendously to have the best of the both worlds.
Indeed, Hylight 
%
I have
chronic pain but debilitating arthritis radiating from wrist joints now and sciatica and shoulder pain when I work.
I don’t know how many patients are at the office with arthritis. I know there are a shit ton of people with back pain and some people like me with chronic daily headaches. Also lots of people with different long term pain as the result of accidents or traumatic events (fights, sports injuries, abuse).
However I really need to work and I love to get up and do things too as well as getting things done. I don't want to end up a hoarder and I love . . . . clean clear pathways.
The goal of pain management is to bring you to a point so that you can live a normal, functional life.
Also, do they expect a P.C. doctor to give you a referral to P.M. Because my pc's now just want to drain my insurance with do this do this do this and that and of course the insurance pays it all.
I was referred to the pain management service through my neurologist. I had been getting Vicodin from them for more than 10 years. They were tightening down on their opiate prescribing practices and that’s how I was referred to pain management in 2013 or so.
I wonder if you should/could request a referral to a rheumatologist for your arthritis pain? I think I would start with that as it would help you to have documentation that you’ve seen specialists prior to seeing pain management. Plus you would likely get further, in terms of alleviating your arthritis-related pain, than where you are now, with your PC.
Is the sciatica and/or shoulder a pain that’s not related to arthritis? Are you getting any treatment or medication(s) for those now? That might be the kind of thing that you might be able to see pain management for now.
I have been through physical therapy all kinds and I am done going around in a million circles just need some pain medication now because pain management left the area but now is an extra hour drive. I did a zoom appointment one time however I still had to get to an office to do it.
You may be able to go see a pain doctor on your own (paying out of pocket) and tell them about your pain and your inability to get help. Some pain management services only see patients that are referred by a doctor (thank you opiate crisis). Be aware that you may be asked for copies of your medical records, documenting whatever pain issues you are having.
I don't know what the
herd is going through now for pain management but can it really be denied now here in the land of free americans.
I mean I hear we have to hoard toilet paper now too. ☹ thanx.
They aren’t making things easy for us. There are paths we have to follow now, too, thanks to the whole opiate fiasco, and access to a pain clinic isn’t as easy as it should be.
I can find toilet paper, but I still cannot find Clorox Wipes! I’m going to check on Amazon today!
Where did you go to nursing school. you sound awesome. it's not an issue. just trying to be friendly as usual.
I got my RN @ City College in San Diego. I was able to get it in less than 2 years time because I had a BS in Microbiology from UCSD already.
Thanks for that, Hylight! 
You are always friendly Hylight 
!
) if they have a trustworthy record and have proven capable of managing such a script. Of course--the more powerful ones were given out to people in need. It's safe to say that the government does monitor prescriptions and how patients manage their use/personal lives. They can flag someone down as an addict at any moment if they see then trying to play games (like attempting to refill a script too soon at a different pharamacy). Things likes that can really mess up someone's lovely painkiller script in a heartbeat.