United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I understand about the usage of meds for dealing with this problem and how much they can help. And their properties for helping with pain problems. However, they need to be given for the proper reason. My primary doctor wasn't going in the direction with his suggestion that I wanted to go down on paper though. It was for the wrong reason totally. I don't think he would've even prescribed anything to help with the discomfort like the walk-in doc did yesterday. It would have been a manifestation brought on by psychosis, and I'd still be in pain. So we need to avoid this at the moment.
Got to go, get ready for work, got up late this morning.
Wendy

I do agree that the medication should be prescribed for the correct problem. Perhaps approach him with "I understand that there are some medications that work on nerve pain. Perhaps we could explore those rather than the antidepressants. I do not feel I am clinically depressed therefore I do not think that type of medication would benefit me at this time." Shame you are not getting what you need from your primary doctor.

I forgot to answer an earlier question about how to help with the swelling. Like you I can not tolerate any cold. I use heat. Once I get the heat on the muscles will relax. Thus taking the pressure off and the swelling goes down. I use the microwave heat pads. I also have two different sized electric heating pads. All of them work wonders with the swelling.

I also make a point of propping my arm up on a pillow whenever I am sitting down. Once I relieve some of the weight off the arm I notice a difference.

We had already talked about sleeping with pillows. So I won't go over that again.

I also have a TENS unit. That helps with the pain as well as the swelling.

Hope this helps.

Yes it is a shame I can't get anywhere with him. My husband is like why not go back to him? Uhhh, you didn't see him. And as a friend of ours pointed out, it was very distructive to our relationship to point out that he has depression. Because what if he goes off his meds one day and I happen to go in for something serious and he's not thinking right? I don't know him very well and he me, but he stepped across the line by telling me he was unstable.

I have put my name in for another Primary in a clinic today, a female doctor this time. So I hope whoever I get is going to understand this last year or two.

I don't think the only problem with me is the BP and the arm. I need to find out what has been causing the pain attacks, because it is important to me at least.

Gees, the ringing in my ears is really, really bad right now. I'll have to look at these new meds and see what side affects come with them.
Thanks for the tips Joy, really do appreciate them.
Wendy

Wendy,
I have been reading your posts and just can't believe what these drs are saying!! Incredable!! I wouldn't go back to any of them. I am just wondering if you have tried a physiatrist? This is the type of dr that was following Dustin after his accident and coordinating his care. A physiatrist is a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Physiatrists treat a wide range of problems from sore shoulders to spinal cord injuries. They see patients and treat problems that touch upon all the major systems in the body. These specialists focus on restoring function to people.

He was also able to put us in contact with the right drs he needed to see for different specialty areas.
Just a thought.
Sue

I don't think I could go back to him. You are correct that he stepped over the line. Some people may feel comfortable with that. But, I don't think I would be one of them. After all you are there to be seen. Not offer him support on his issues! Maybe send him a bill for a consult! LOL

Hi Sue.
There are only two physiatrist in our city. One who does only EMGs, and the other is one that I saw last year for my back problem. I had been dealing with SI problems for several months at that point, the injury I sustained in Jan 2006 from a bump on the hip. It produced the sciatica, and low back pain and the one sided numbness for several days. (to this day, no doctor dx'ed yet) Anyway, I subluxated my hips ten days prior and only managed to get the left back into place right away. The right one took 2 more weeks to slip back in, because the buttock and hip muscles were in spasm. In that time period I made an appt with the only Physiatrist that did medicine, and seems he didn't like my comment about the attached Therapy unit. I had gone there earier in the year and they actually made my back problem worse and assisted in the instability. And he didn't like the fact I knew already my problem was SI related. And then he did an exam without touching me, and heard how I hurt myself and its results (the stroke-like sypmtoms) and basically told me that I would have to learn to live with the pain and have a nice life.

I got a copy of the report and he lied throughout. Saying I could get my fingers within 1 inch of the floor, and a few other things that said my problems were non-existent. I was in a lot of pain that day, and I told him what had happened, and still I got this from him. So to see a physiatrist, I would have to travel 100 miles to see a good one.

NOw the attorney's office knows about this guy. I started to ask about him on the phone and mentioned just a doctor I had a problem with at this place, and they finished my sentence with his name. Other people have had problems with his work or his habit. Not just me. And if people have gone to an attorney to solicit assistance regarding this guy, I don't think I want to see him again.
Wendy


Message was edited by: Wendy Lee

Wow, sounds like you've run the gambit. Good luck finding a reliable dr around there. But, if I ever need a quack I'll be sure to ask as there seems to be plenty planted in IL.
Best of luck and hope you can start getting some real answers soon.
Sue