WebMD Pain Management Health Center Gets New Look!!
I just finished taking a mini tour of the new WebMD Pain Management Health Center! I am very happy to see the ease in site navigation. Many features are now easier to identify and locate. There are a variety of topical headlines that catch your eye. Hot topics and direct links make searching faster. Locating boards and blogs just got easier! I really like the Pain Management Glossary. This is really great! So many things on the site to explore. Have you taken a look yet? Let me know what you think!!
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27 Comments:
It is very educational and interesting. Thanks for sharing it.
I hope you can give info. I have had 3 tmj surgeries removing the disc. I have had a 3 disc fusion in the neck I have carpal tunnel and I have now been disgnoised with 2 buldging disc bone spuring in lower back can these all be related to a disc disease?
i have chronic back pain. the pain is worse in both hips ,also radiating down the outside of both thighs. a new symptom is the skin on my whole back feels raw-super sensitive to the touch. my clothes even hurt rubbing on my back.could this all be from a pinched nerve, or some kind of nerve problem?
I have fibromyalgia plus a and I have started having right arm pain which is worse at night - pain seems to go right to the bone. The arm and fingers swell and in the morning I can't make a fist with my right hand because of the swelling. My arm and fingers feels funny - can't find a word to describe it and my fingernails feels like they have been scratching a blackboard which actually causes goosebumps when I have this feeling. Any ideas?
Ive recently had a cold/ a double ear infection, but eveytime i sneeze my left arm seems to get weeak and suddenly i get a terrible pain in the neck, shoulder, arm and fingers. I get a burning, pinching, numbing sensation and will last for about 10-15 min. I know this is not normal would you give me some info on what you think this might be?
I have recently been attending a clinic where I was getting methadone treatment for the past two months. I went through a 10 detox with this. First couple of days no problem with no methadone. I am now in my fourth day and have chills and a low fever that began yesterday. Should I attribute this to the detox?
Thanks
i need help. the pain started when i thought i threw out my back. the pain in between my spinal cord and right shoulder blade. now the pain has worked all the way through, and my whole right boob hurts especially the bone underneath it. it hurts to breathe in. it hurts no matter how i sit, lay, or stand up. if you have any info. i would be greatful. thanks
Hi everyone,
To post specific questions for Indie or other members to answer, please visit our Pain Management Message Board.
Thanks so much!
I have so much to say about how I was treated prior to and post op when my low spine was fused in 3 of 99 that I really do not know where to begin...
Please 1st permit myself to express what I have learned prior to allowing a so called dedicated Ortho to fuse my low spine back in 98 using Titanium BAK cages and bone taken from my hip which I was told would grant me a 50% reduction in pain. How wrong he could have been and this is the 1st part of my story...
I was 37 when I was injured on the job, I am now 46, while making a very good wage in Las Vegas, NV. Please excuse any grammer errors as the resulting nerve damage has now afected my brain which I will address later...
As most Americans who had been raised in the 60s and were taught to look up to MDs and place our life's well being in their hands (Doctors did seem to treat us better back then in my lay opinion), well, I found things so much differant in the late 80s. I was 1st treated by referal from my Ortho to have PT and injections which proved to do nothing to address my pain. After 4.5 short months and after a very painful Disco Gram, I was quickly set up for my fusions. It was suggested that I undergo a six BAK Titanium cage fusion on my low spine. I was told by my ortho that I would be given a 50% reduction in my 6-7 level pain at the time and on Norco 10mg for pain and like the trusting fool I was at the time, I placed my trust, like again a fool, in his hands and had the fusions completed.
I had had seven acute operations prior to my oh so painful fusions and what followed showed me the real ways of our medical providers and their HMOs who throw mass amounts of cash at them for tests that are almost never needed. I see and hear about these uneeded tests on a daily basis from my wife who works at our small and dangerous rural hospital in our small town and I would never seek even a band aid at our small clinic or small hospital or I may stand a good chance of not leaving this hospital alive or at least broke, no joke!
I endured after surgery more PT for what reason I now look back on as the PT only worsened my condition and started the severe damage to my nerves that have now ruined my life. They (Workers InComp) finally gave up on me and rated me at 5% and sent me on my way to deal with what was becoming a ever worsening condition.
I was told that my own GP/MD would take control of any pain meds that I might require, another false statement as I soon learned.
I sought help from many so called MDs who all called me a soon to be drug addict, slandered me, called me either a current drug seeker or a drug addict even though I had just endured the most intensive operation in my young life.
I continued to locate MDs who I thought would help me with my controled intake of meds besides NSAIDs which I soon learned are a excuse to not write for C-IIIs or what I needed, C-IIs and which only increase the damage to our livers and other organs when used to treat chronic pain. No thanks.
My soon be be spouse was a nurse working at the hospital where my fusions were installed and was becoming more stressed out after each of my attempts to seek compitent help. We were not married at the time so the $14,000 that the state had so very nicely had given me was quickly vanishing on wasted attempts to seek what was then level 7-8 pain. I continued to see MD after incompetent MD for weeks only to be again called a addict or a drug seeker but not one of these demi god, DEA licensed drug Gods once informed me that pain MDs were out there, not one out of at least 18 above us non degreed MDs. I had a four year degree but I felt that I was made to feel ashamed to inform them of my quals because my education had no bearing on what help I was in great need of, my severe chronic pain. These men and woman who only had spent a few years in school in America or some low rate overseas country to get a number from our DEA were starting to confuse me with their arms crossed and did not even once examine me. I even offered and brought my surgery records to prove my situation but none seemed to care. Of course one or four came me samples of again NSAIDs or why, muscle relaxers such as Soma but for what reason so I turned them down and moved on to the next MD.I have so much to say about how I was treated prior and post op when my low spine was fused in 3 of 99 that I really do not know where to begin...
Please 1st permit myself to express what I have learned prior to allowing a so called dedicated Ortho to fuse my low spine back in 98 using Titanium BAK cages and bone taken from my hip which I was told would grant me 50% reduction in pain. How wrong he could have been and this is the 1st part of my story...
I was 37 when I was injured on the job, I am now 46 and on full Social Security benefits, I was injured while making a very good wage in Las Vegas, NV. Please excuse any grammer errors as the resulting nerve damage has now afected my brain which I will address later...
As most Americans who had been raised in the 60s and were taught to look up to MDs and place our life's well being in their hands (Doctors did seem to treat us better back then in my lay opinion), well, I found things so much differant in the late 80s. I was 1st treated by referal from my Ortho to have PT and injections which proved to do nothing to address my pain. After 4.5 short months and after a very painful Disco Gram, I was quickly set up for my fusions. It was suggested that I undergo a six BAK Titanium cage fusion on my low spine. I was told by my ortho that I would be given a 50% reduction in my 6-7 level pain at the time and on Norco 10mg for pain and like the trusting fool I was at the time, I placed my trust, like again a fool, in his hands and had the fusions completed.
I had had seven acute operations prior to my oh so painful fusions and what followed showed me the real ways of our medical providers and their HMOs who throw mass amounts of cash at them for tests that are almost never needed. I see and hear about these uneeded test on a daily basis from my wife who works at our small and dagerous rural hospital in our small town and I would never seek even a band aid at oursmall clinic or small hospital or I may stand a good chance of not leaving this hospital alive or at least broke, no joke!
I endured after surgery more PT for what reason I now look back on as the PT only worsened my condition and started the severe damage to my nerves that have now ruined my life. They (Workers InComp) finally gave up on me and rated me at 5% and sent me on my way to deal with what was becoming a ever worsening condition.
I was told that my own GP/MD would take control of any pain meds that I might require, another false statement as I soon learned.
I sought help from many so called MDs who all called me a soon to be drug addict, slandered me, called me either a current drug seeker or a drug addict even though I had just endured the most intensive operation in my young life.
I continued to locate MDs who I thought would help me with my intake of meds besides NSAIDs which I soon learned are a excuse to not write for C-IIIs or what I needed, C-IIs and which only increased the damage to our livers and other organs when used to treat chronic pain. No thanks.
My soon be be spouse was a nurse working at the hospital where my fusions were instaled and was becoming more stressed out after each of my attempts to seek compitent help. We were not married at the time so the $14,000 that the state had so very nicely had given me was quickly vanishing on wasted attempts to seek what was then level 7-8 pain. I continued to see MD after incompetent MD for weeks only to be again called a addict or a drug seeker but not one of these demi gods, DEA licensed drug Gods once informed me that pain MDs were out there, not one out of at least 18 above us non degreed MDs. I had a four year degree but I felt that I was made to feel ashamed to inform them of my quals because my education had no bearing on what help I was in great need of, my severe chronic pain. These men and woman who only had spent a few years in school in America or some low rate overseas country to get a number from our DEA were starting to confuse me with their arms crossed and did not even once examine me. I even offered and brought my surgery records to prove my situation but none seemed to care. Of course one or four came me samples of again NSAIDs or why, muscle relaxers such as Soma but for what reason so I turned them down
I finally bought a voice activated recorder and placed it in my pocket to capture how I was being treated.
I had almost given up on all hope of ever locating a MD to help me until one night when my spouse and I drove by a pain treatment center and my spouse noticed the name of the pain MD and knew him personally and told me to see him the next day. I felt like saying no but I arrived the next morning without a appointment and waited over five hours to see him and I have been with this board certified pain MD who I must say has saved my life with his care and his compassion.
It is now 2007 and I have been seeing him ever since on a strict and regular basis. What a outstanding and caring man!
Here is where I am now at...
I was 1st started on Methadone and put up with the side effects for seven months but I could not take them any longer so he placed me on MS Contin and slowly ramped me up until I felt some releif. As my condition worsened my MS Contin was slowly upped and other injections and meds were introduced. That was many years ago and while my pain MD can only treat my pain, he has been outstanding and has fully trusted me.
Here is what I now take and have been taking for many years to address my 24/7 level 9-10 pain...
1-My spouses RX plan stopped paying for my 60mg MS Contin which I was taking three 60mg tabs PO every six hours each day but I had to change to MS IR when the insurance stopped paying and now I take four MS IR 30mgs every six hours PO each day.
2-I take three OXYCODONE IR, 30mg PO every three hours each day.
3-Last but not least I inject daily 100mgs of Demerol IM three to four times per day each and everyday. I used to fear sticking needles in my muscles but that soon ended and I am now a mass of scar tissue on both of my thighs.
I feel that I gain a total of 10-15% relief by taking my C-II meds each day but the damage that my crushed nerves are creating are slowly killing me. My right knee is being attacked by the nerve that runs down our inner right thigh and talk about pain that never goes away. I have not slept for more than one hour per day or night in over eight years due to pain and other issues. I am not able to sit on out toliet for more than 10 minutes at a time or I loose all feeling from my hips down and it can take up to 30 minutes before I regain feeling to be able to stand and walk. My pain MD is a 600 mile round trip that I must make to see him and I can no longer endure the pain and the week or more once home to recover from the trip. I live in a constant 8-10 level of pain and stay awake for weeks at a time very often. I wish death, not by my hands but soon so at least I may again sleep in peace.
The issue that really gets me is that mt pain MD has informed me that if I had only been under his care from the start I would of not had my fusions installed. He can only treat my pain now and has never doubted me.
Please do not even mention a pain pump, please.
We may have to move soon and I am in fear of having to find another pain MD who shares my current doctors concerns. I have been told that if I can't locate a new pain MD in our new town, I will be able to return to my current doctor every six months to continue treatment. How nice he has and continues to treat me.
So a note to all of you so called Orthos, you are not demi gods and shame on most of you for doing the things that cripple folks like me all in the name of big bucks and if you do ever meet me, be prepared for a lecture from me, a professional lecture but you must stop your treatment of honest and non drug addict humans who are only asking for your help. And remember that recorder! I am dependent but I refuse to be labeled something that I am not. Resist the HMO or company hardware funds that you are given to use a companies product and one last thing, if my ortho would have used rods and pins instead of BAK cages, I may have been able to have them removed. I am now in the prosess of sueing the state of NV for lifetime payment for my medications, my tretamnets and a 100% rating due to my 100% disability and I will also go after my Ortho in a Civil Court and take three years of his wages for what he has done to me and also to those who love me.
I have a former SIIS lawyer who used to fight people like me for the state and then worked for NV workers comp but now helps injured men, woman and children to gain the funds to teach both the state and most important, the doctors who are in it only for the cash. Shame on all of you and if you beleive in Karma, watch out.
Thank you for hearing me out and I appoligize if I have offended the many injured folks who also have been through what I have and continue to live through and I appoligize for repeating myself at times. No appoligies to the money hungry MDs out there, none!
Have a pain free life and pray that you never are in our shoes!
I am trying to kick a norco habit .Broken finger led to 40 pills a week for 7 months Now 1 pill a day Anyhelp?
To the last person who asked for help getting off narcotics, please post on our Addiction and Substance Abuse: Support Group message board.
Just recently off and on...especially at night. I have this pain in my left arm, right above the elbow..always the same spot...the only way I can describe it, is like a burning sensation going through my bone. I don't have any other sympstoms..like chest pain or anything. What could this be? Any ideas..please??? FYI..no I have not been lifting weights..I am 44 yrs old, female.
Moira:
For answers to specific questions, please visit our Arthritis & Joint Pain message board.
I had discs number 6 and 7 in the back of my neck repaired about 12 years ago and at that time the neurosurgeon said what he did would last for about 10 years.
For the last year I have severe pain in the back of my neck with pain up the sides of my face and headaches.
The neurosurgeon says I would have to have the discs fused and this would mean having a stiff neck for the rest of my life.
Should I go ahead with this type of surgery or just put up with the pain.
I have also had 4 operations on the lower back discs and T.G. they are fine .
Any comments would be appreciated
I have a friend that was addicted to valium. She is now going through a nine month methadone detox. Can anyone give me any information on this treament? During the day she is the person I remember and then at night time she acts like she is messed up again. Please help me understand what is going on.
Anonymous,
Here's a CDC explanation of methadone maintenance treatment that might help you understand what your friend is going through.
Good luck to you both!
About 2 times last week i was having chest pains, very sharp right in the middle.
Now the begining of this week i had the same thing, now it hurts to breathe and get pain right under my right boob. It is becoming painful.
What is going on?
About 3 times this week and about six times during the last 2 weeks, I was having chest pains, very sharp in the middle or close to my heart, only when I cough and laugh When I stretch my arms back, it feels better.
What could this be?
i am curious to find out what advice was given to mollie houghton
For answers to specific questions, please visit Indie's message board
I have recantly had mono and cotriocronditus. i know have a pinched nerve in the left arms shoulder.I have chest pain, felling of not getting enough air, shortness of breath. My doctors dont know what it is. I also have joint pain muscle spacms, back aches and it feels like someone is stabbing my ribs,i have grew probably grew 6 inches, in the last year,and probably lost about 20 ponds in the last year to.I wonder if my bones could be growing to fast for my body?
i am in complete sympathy with anonomyous. we live in las vegas and my husband is going through much the same as you. you are right when you say all they do is give you meds and keep you coming back to no avail. it is a trial and error systemwith the medical system out here . i am formerly from the east coast and the physcians there are sympathetic,caring and have empathy for your problems. my husband has been going to a pain management center for 6 yeas and received no relief. finally i asked my family physician to recommend some one else. this pain management physician has done more for my husband in a few months then the others did in 6 years.he did get some relief already and hope for more relief soon. it is very hard on you guys, painwise, not to mention what your family goes through because of bad medical practice like this. i hope you can find someone to alleviate much of your pain as my husband has. good luck to you
my boyfriend was in a car accident in march 11,2007 not his fault of course and it had affectec his back he is in such serve pain constant and i hate seeing him in so much pain but have found much relief from pain meds.the dr he went to that his lawyer referraled him to said there was nothing wrong with his back and also seem to want to push pain pills to him. his back hurts so much that he can no longer work and his family dr told him to file dor disability.there has to be something that would help my boyfriend so he isn't in so much pain.
i have so much sympathy for each of you suffering with back/neck pain. i would love for each of you to meet my 79 year young mom...she has scoliosis so badly, her spine is literally twisted sideways from mid-spine to hip, arthiritis in her back, hands, neck. she cannot walk to the mailbox alone. this has all happened in the 4 years since the love of her life (my dad died.) she is 5'9" weighs 114 lbs. she has had many epidurals, facet injection, PT, Chiro, etc. yet this still beautiful, Christian Mother of mine manages to get herself to church almost every week. I am so proud of her, yet i know she is at the end of her time with me, her only child. Please, please don't give up. if my mom lived with this since she was 27 and worked fulltime til 66. please know that you can too. and just as we do, never give up trying to find help and ask God for the strength to keep going.
may be all one day walk, painfree and enjoy every little step.
i have been having pain in my neck between my spine and right shoulder blade. at times it is almost unbearable,and makes it hard to breathe in when it is really bad. my right arm also feels achy, almost like "growing pains". I am constantly adjusting , shruging,etc. throughout the day to help with the pain, i know that it is just a quick fix, and is just making it worse, but i don't know how else to manage throughout the day. any suggestions on what this is, how to make it go away? i have iced/heated @ night, massaged, but i do not have any insurance, would like to stay away from the doc if possible.
I tried to look up the answer given to mollie houghton too, but could not find it in the link. I too have been having some very similar symptoms since I pulled a muscle in April 08, pain in and under the left ribcage under my breast, radiating to my shoulder, to my hip,and around to my back. I went to the er the first time and was told my stomach spinchter was spasing, given a gi coctail and sent home with more of it. I went back to my doctor about the same sharp pain sometimes it jumps and sometimes is burns, he simply said it was musculature not to do anything with my left arm that would pull the muscle...Well I have CMT1A a myotinic distal form of MD, and have to use my upper body strength to get up, into the shower, manually propel myself in my wheelchair etc. so not using my arm muscles is impossible unless I stay in bed 24/7. They checked my pancrease levels and they were normal but this pain has not stopped, at first it was intermittent but tylenol helped there. Now it is there daily making my left shoulder muscles tight and spasm all the way down my back. Can you give me something to ask my doctor to check for?? Could it be adhesions, a pinched nerve, irritable bowel, pancreatitis, or worse? what? this is driving me out of my mind with worry...Thank you
From time to time I have being having a sharp pain that runs from my inner left thigh up to my left inner rib cage
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