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AngellMwi

590d

I'm a diagnosed pain patient, currently unmedicated. Everything is so much different, including getting medical treatment. Up until around the time COVID-19 started, I had been able to have open conversations with my Drs and now, this is not happening. I am unsure how to approach my provider(s) without it sounding like I'm drug seeking. I want the conversations to be based on evidence, not opinions. I have had several doctors point blank turn me away and say they won't treat me for my diagnosis, even with reputable medical records in hand. I want to be able to live again, function, work, and enjoy my time on this earth. I just don't know how to approach them without sabotaging myself.

    • AngellMwi

      590d

      thank you šŸ’• I appreciate you understanding. I get that where I currently live, the medical field is a little odd. They don't like my diagnosis and don't want to deal with it. But, I also have arthritis. The arthritis is located in an area that triggers pain flairs. I'm told the arthritis isn't that bad (grrr moment) ok BUT what's it's doing is causing serious other problems. So far, I cannot get them to understand this. I thought about taking photos so the Dr could see for himself what is happening. I'm not sure that would even work though.

      • kitty_cat

        590d

        @AngellMwi also, I know that this is what worked for me, and it might be worth a shot for you too, but when I was looking for a primary care doctor, I searched the list of providers online, and read through her bio and what she is ā€œpassionateā€ about when it comes to healthcare, and she happens to have fibromyalgia just like me! That is ultimately what made me choose her as my doctor, because I knew that I could trust another chronic pain patient to understand my condition a bit better. Perhaps you can find a doctor who is passionate about arthritis because they too deal with similar issues in their own life. I donā€™t know if that is a good suggestion or not, but it definitely helped me to feel heard even if my pain is not quite manageable yet.

        • AngellMwi

          590d

          @kitty_cat oh thank you. Unfortunately, that's not the primary diagnosis. It's Chronic Pelvic Pain. Like fibromyalgia, it's only manageable. But because it's tied to a traumatic event (PTSD), surgeries and nerve damage..... Yeah it's just challenging. But thank you. I'll look up the primary care Drs and see about the possibilities of someone else. Maybe that would be a good place to start

      • kitty_cat

        590d

        @AngellMwi šŸ’• I think it is a great place to start! I have an app that I am able to message my doctor through, that also accepts photos that I am able to update my Dr with. Maybe you can see if yours does too, and try to give them a better look into your daily life and how the cause & effects are struggles for you. Or, keep a daily journal for a month and make notes of times you arenā€™t able to the things you would like because of pain. I think itā€™s okay to ask for a more aggressive approach to your treatment also. Make sure to stand your ground- it is exhausting but you have to advocate for yourself even when it feels uncomfortable. šŸ’•

        • AngellMwi

          590d

          @kitty_cat thank you. I needed the encouragement. I greatly appreciate you taking the time. I truly do

    • kitty_cat

      590d

      I really relate to you on this. I am also in chronic (diagnosed) pain due to traumatic injury. When my injury happened, I also happened to be a drug addict and it is on my medical record. I am sober and have been for years now, but not having anything given to me to help regulate my very real pain has lead to me not being able to work or even get out of bed most days. I donā€™t have any advice, but I think I can uniquely understand not wanting to come across as drug seeking to my doctors, yet being completely unable to function due to pain.

ā˜ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision

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