I have been going through pt for a few weeks now for scar tissue and si joint pain. With my last appointment with surgeon it was brought up my ncm that maybe pain clinic could help. My surgeon asked me if I was interested. And of course I look for any extra relief so I said yes.
Well when I seen my treating DR here from home town he asked me why I wanted pain clinic. He seemed disturbed and asked dont the pt therapy help, and goes on telling me that they can only inject me up to 3 times and thats it. He was just baffled and said thats a last resort only if pt dont help.
So I had to explain to him what went down at surgeon appointment. I told them ncm and hospitol appointed wc nurse pushed for this. He threw his hands up and says figures, and tells me it is up to me. If I feel he is not helping me or his staff of pt's that I should at least go to the first eval at pain clinic then decide.
So now I'm confused, I had no idea I was ending pt to go to pain clinic and pt has helped me alot giving me more flexation and less pain. So now my question, what is going on is this some attempt by ncm to get me out of pt. She has not been happy since my surgeon wont release me for another year and a half. I dont want to quit pt when they are making progress.
What are my options, any advice, oppinions, comments, even insults. What do you's think................BRONCO-----WI.
why cant you do both? IMHO if the PT is working I would take it over drugs anyday
I agree Jayne, I have not been on narcotics since Nov, just celebrex. I am just confused I thought there would be somthing else they could do for me. He simply seemed to think I was quiting pt and that was not my idea. One of his employees that have been doing pt on me incisted I need at least 6 more weeks of pt. And it did not settle well with my ncm, and I'm itching my head right now thinking why wouldnt they want me better. It's more money if I dont get better........................
Bronce I went to PM also. I had a SCS implanted last Sept. I am still taking narcotics. Been on narcotics since 2001. Hope that helps. I will never be off drugs. I see Ortho in week, for a cousultation. Dr has had be off work for 2weeks today and is keeping me off 20 more untill after ortho visit and he gets that report. So who knows what is next.
Thanks Jayne & Cervical_Fusion, I had to take my self of narcotics, my job consist of driving 6 - 8 hours aday 7 days aweek. Is it normal for them to say (ncm) pt is not working and only thing left is pm. I have 2 problems lower back pain Si joint and scar tissue hip, pelvis abdomin. I just dont want pt to stop because it is helping......
I would let PM know that the is helping some as I know the PM dr's office i went to aslo did PT. Just make him aware that it helped you some. Pain clinics try all kinds of different things for ther patients. My PM dr's have 86000 patients. so they have knowledge and seen it all.
I was going to PT and also was going to a PM doctor. The W/C questioned the continuation of the PT several times due to my pain level numbers not decresing as much as they thought they should have. The PM doctor would also renew my script for PT because it did help my ROM. I had the injections, manipulations, iontophorisis, traction and many meds. I started feeling less pain finally after the surgery was done, but now can't do anything more than sedentary work and have scar tissue where they fixed the disc at L4 and opened the foramin for the nerve.
I would go for your first (evaluation) appnt. with the PM doctor and explain that the PT has been helping you, hopefully he/she will recommend continuing PT while he/she treats you. I was doing PT 3 days a week and also Aqua therapy the other 2 days, the Aqua is in very warm water and does make your back and hips feel better and allows more ROM. I also use a TENS unit. You may need one if you don't already have one. This is only my opinion based on my experiences with my SI joint dysfunction, periformis syndrome and lumbar spine problems. I also have had other surgeries and PT for other body parts all while going to a PM.
Good luck, hope you feel some relief soon.
Vickie
Thanks Vickie, I think thats what I will do. Both surgeons felt that pt was helping me also. I have 12 appointments scheduled for pt yet and will talk to him about this too.
Most of my pain occurs when sitting to long or standing to long. I cant do a lot of either 1. But with my job delivering I get out of the truck about 25 times in 6-8 hours and able to walk around a bit to keep from getting stiff. But the only true temp pain relief is to lay down or stand in pool at least up to my chest. At least for the back pain the hip and leg are iffy at times.
But thank you's for helping..........Bronco..
Vickie has given You Very Good Info. Bronco!! When all Surgical Options were Ruled Out on Me, and PT and Work Hardening were Only Causing Me Intense Pain, I had no choice but to go to Pain Management. Thank God My PCP Recommended a Great Facility, and I am Treated Very Well There. If Your PT is allowing You to Stay Off Narcotics, and you are Still Functioning at a Somewhat Normal Pace, My Opinion would to Stay with PT as Long as You can! Across My 3 PM Files, (Each about 3-5lbs.) it States in Red Letters "NO SURGERY UNLESS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION" My Scar Tissue not only Attached My Spine to My S1 Nerve, My S1 Nerve Root is still Crushed, and wrapped in Scar Tissue, so I have no Choice at this Point but Narcotics and Anti-Inflammatory Meds. for Life!! Try as Long as You can not to End Up as Me, I Wish the PT would have Helped, but that Dam* Crushed S1 Nerve Root won't allow it!! My Very Best to You!! And Remember, the NCM can make Suggestions, but it's YOUR BODY and YOUR HEALTH, Protect it!!!
Thanks Still, Yesterday he gave me new excersices that no other pt has given me and streched me a bit to much. He told me I was going to be sore but to try to stay with it. He says scar tissue is so deep that he uses his elbow to try to free it. Its hard to manage sometimes with just tylenol and celebrex..................