i got my new neurologists letter in the mail today. he outlines my diagnosis, my medication for treatment and why i can end up in an ER. he recommends an IV opioid drug for relief and explains that i am a patient who reliably takes her medication and is not drug seeking and to call him directly with any questions. it’s wonderful to have it and know that if i have to go to an ER they won’t do repeat MRIs and act like i am there trying to get high…he’s such a good doctor! it was a great suggestion that i read in the striking back book and i got a doctor to do it…yeah for open communication.
Hey Kristi,
That’s fantastic! I’d been trying to get my previous Neuro to write me just such a letter for over 2 years without any luck. I am gonna keep my fingers crossed that my new Neuro I see a week from today will be more helpful. That letter will make things so much easier! Well done and I am very glad you have such a good doctor to help you out!
Best wishes ~ Kerry
I am so glad you have a doctor who truly listens! I wish this was the norm for us TN patients. I have not found such a doctor yet, and after years of suffering with this pain without relief it’s easy to get discouraged. Finding this group has given me some hope, and a new determination to go back to my primary doctor and insist on seeing a REAL specialist. I have been to two different neurologists, but I don’t think either have any experience with TN. After the MRI showed nothing out of the ordinary, I was basically told that my pain didn’t have a physical origin. I was put on antidepressants along with the Neurontin, and not required to come back in for office visits. It has been more than a year since I have seen my neurologist. I have atypical TN, and the pain can last for days during rainy or cold weather. I wish they would give me something to help with the pain when it becomes so intense it makes me crazy. It is the policy of my HMO to not prescribe painkillers for this condition. I suspect this has more to do with their suspicion that “it’s all in my head”.
this is such a great idea! thanks for sharing!