Jenn-

In the US, at least, most pain docs have an anesthesiology background, and
the practice generally has psychiatrist/psychologist and other specialists
on staff/referral.  Rule #1 of their ethic (if they are board certified) is
BELIEVE THE PATIENT.  Pain is subjective, yet modern medicine relies heavily
on the objective (measurable).  Unlike other physicians, who assume that
they know more about how the patient feels than the patient herself, the
reverse is true for the pain specialist.  Pain specialists also sometimes
use the term "palliative care" specialists--no difference, but if you come
across that specialty, it means the same thing.

In the US, we have a system of care for people injured in the workplace.
This is generally referred to as "workman's compensation" (Kat can probably
shed light on this).  I'm sure there is a Canadian counterpart, but the
bottom line is that you want to see if their patient load has a high
percentage of people who were injured on the job.  This is a red flag (to
me, at least) that the clinic is often more interested in bilking the gov't
for $$$ than in patient care.  My first "pain specialist" was of this ilk
and eventually lost his license to practice.  This guy had 30 or 40 patients
in his waiting room at any one time, and the first (and only) time he
treated me with injections, there were patients lined up on gurneys outside
the procedure room.  He spent about 3-4 minutes with each.

My point in all this rambling is that, yes, pain clinics are generally more
receptive to your perception of your own pain, but pain control is big
business.  You need to do your homework on the clinic before you commit to
their treatment regimen.

We're looking out for you, Jenn.

-Kyle

-----Original Message-----
From: Yvonne Craig [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 2:04 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Prayers needed...


Jenn

I absolutely agree with Kat. Keeping you in my thoughts.

{{{hugs}}}=20

Yvonne

>>> [log in to unmask] 03/19/02 12:42PM >>>
They are PAIN SPECIALISTS, and so will not discount you when you tell them =
of your pain.  They will very likely know of avenues you've never heard of =
and may be able to make recommendations far better than a IBP, etc. and =
will likely be the best step you've taken so far to deal with your pain.  =
Pain specialists, by the very nature of their specialty have to be =
multi-disciplinary specialists.  They cannot have a narrow focus as a =
neurologist or orthopaedist would.

Kat