Pain Management Doctor reviews

I have recently been accepted into a Pain Management Clinic in Calgary, Alberta where I live. I have been dealing with chronic pelvic pain on top of Fibromyalgia/IBS/Interstitial Cystitis/Adhesions, so there isn't a single part of my body that doesn't hurt. it's been ongoing for several years now, and I don't want drugs to be my only choice of treatment, so my family doctor made the referral to the clinic.

My initial visit was with the doctor and the physiotherapist but the program I'm in is a team approach. I wasn't told to stop taking my meds before the appointment, but I'm sure that it helps the doctors understand your true pain level and limitations when you are unmedicated.

My team helped to confirm several things that were going on for me, and also diagnosed that I have permanent muscle damage in the pelvic area, which I didn't know about. There are also issues with muscles surrounding my hips/glutes and possibly some SI joint problems as well. None of these things were really clear before going to the clinic, so yes, pain management centres can definitely help clarify a diagnosis, or discover other problems. The thing is, it doesn't always happen in one appointment or even several...it can take time. If the doctor you saw disagrees with the radiologist, then he has an obligation to explain why, but he may be reserving that until seeing you again unmedicated.

Once they've had time to really check you out, it may be beneficial for you to be seen by other specialists, such as physiotherapists, kinesiologists, etc. Cortisone injections are good to a point, but not for all problems and often in limited use. You don't want that to be your first line of treatment if there are other options.

I think it's important to remember that just like individual doctors, there are good clinics and bad clinics. I don't think you can make a decision based on one appointment, so I would encourage you to have patience, hang in there, go to the next appointment and ask questions. Make a list if you need to...it's your body and you have a right to know what's going on, but you also have to allow the doctors ample time to make their diagnosis.

I am now scheduled for several appointments with regular physio, pelvic-specific physio, the kinesiologist, dietitian, and my doctor (to work on finding the right combo of sleep and pain meds). I have a nerve block scheduled in July as well. In addition to this, I have several group appointments to help with self management, exercise, and sleep...a secondary team approach to teach me new skills to cope.

I've accepted that I will always have pain, but I'm encouraged by the many options out there to help me live with it. I am not my pain, and I will not be defined by it. I am still in control.

Best of luck to you!! Pam

| Share this:Thoughts on Pain Management Clinic?I have recently been accepted into a Pain Management Clinic in Calgary, Alberta where I live. I have been dealing with chronic pelvic pain on top of Fibromyalgia/IBS/Interstitial Cystitis/Adhesions, so there isn't a single part of my body that doesn't hurt. it's been ongoing for several years now, and I don't want drugs to be my only choice of treatment, so my family doctor made the referral to the clinic. See also:

• Aldra Rossi