Pain Management doctor..any experience?

[disfan07]

I am 8 1/2 weeks post op from a craniotomy. Because of the nature of how this surgery was done (they had to separate the neck muscles) the full recovery is between 12-18 months. Right now I am in PT to strengthen my neck muscles and my upper back but I am also still in pain daily with some days being very very bad. I am still on percocet (I've been on it for 7 weeks) for the really bad days.

Well, I went to see my neurosurgeon last wednesday and he told me that in 3 weeks when I go back to see him again, if I am still in as much pain, he is going to refer me to a pain management specialist for lidocane shots in my head and in my neck. He said that they usually last about 3-4 months so I will probably need them at least 3 times. The problem is, I cannot take any over the counter pain meds so we have to skip right from the percocet to the lidocane because there are no other options and I am supposed to be moving to school in 4 weeks and I cannot be in this much pain for school (Theres no way I can sit through a 3 hour lecture class right now).

I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with pain management specialists, what type of injections you got and if it worked for you. I know that its different depending on the site of the pain but I would love to hear some general experiences if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Well, I went to see my neurosurgeon last wednesday and he told me that in 3 weeks when I go back to see him again, if I am still in as much pain, he is going to refer me to a pain management specialist for lidocane shots in my head and in my neck. He said that they usually last about 3-4 months so I will probably need them at least 3 times. The problem is, I cannot take any over the counter pain meds so we have to skip right from the percocet to the lidocane because there are no other options and I am supposed to be moving to school in 4 weeks and I cannot be in this much pain for school (Theres no way I can sit through a 3 hour lecture class right now).

Who says you can't do both?

I've seen lots of patients who've had great experiences with pain management specialists. Some were life changing.

 

[PBB]

I hope your surgery was a success and it leads you to a full recovery. Regarding your doctor, are you sure he said lidocaine ? The description sounds more like an epidural like injections. You get a series of 3 shots about 2 weeks apart where they guide an injection with a live xray to target certain nerves. They will inject cortisone directly around the nerve to stop it from radiating or being inflamed. They do mix the cortisone and Lidocaine together. The lidocaine is a short term medicine and the cortisone has a longer type med.

You can take the percocet along with either of these drugs. I doubt that the doctor will give you a shot and take away the meds. I have had this procedure done numerous times in my lower back. Sometimes they help and sometimes they don't.

I wish you the best.