I'm looking for a Pain Managment Dr, HELP!!

Does anyone know of a pain management Doctor ANYWHERE that understands the absorption of medication after Gastric Bypass surgery??

Before I had surgery at 250+ pounds, one 5mg Vicodin would put me completely out of pain, and a little out of reality! NOW, my scrawny 112 pound body with 10 or 15mgs helps to cut the pain for about 2 hours. My situation is not going to get better unless they invent a neck replacement surgery.

I have calls in to all the big hospitals in Boston and am not making any headway. The new PA at my Bariatric Center suggested Celebrex . I don't think so!

Any suggestions, or articles about this issue would be most appreciated.

Martha

Whats wrong with Celebrex?

Celebrex is a NSAID, which is a big NO-NO after bypass surgery.

There is not a pain center in MA as far as I know that will Rx a narcotic, or , in fact any meds these days. They will evaluate you and make recommendations to your primary MD.
Have you considered injections? Steroid or anaesthesia type meds?
Acupuncture or chiropractic?
They may recommend PT, aquatics or even TENs unit.

In very severe cases, even methadone can be used for pain-it is highly controlled so that lessens the chance of addiciton.

I can tell you of many pain clinics MA, but I wish I could tell you that they will meet your needs.  :0(

I herniated 3 discs last September and had to have an epidural...that really helped!

Hope you find something

I have been injected with everything under the sun, and then some! I've been injected with Botox, steriods, facet injections and having surgery for a laminectomy next week. (That is supposed to relieve the numbness in my arm, but not the neck pain)

I have a tens, a device that stretches the spine. I've done the chiropractor, acupuncture, hypnosis and so much physical therapy I could scream!!!!

My last pain clinic did prescribe narcotics while I was a patient there, but moved me on to a neurologist. Right now my PCP is handling my meds.

This has been 7 years of treatments......nothing new

So sorry, Martha!!  I can offer no help, but you're in my prayers!! 

Laura

Thanks Laura

Martha, if you were here in Phoenix, I'd recommend my orthopedic pain specialist. He doesn't "get" the bariatric needs (nobody does) but he does seem pretty open and I never EVER got the feeling or "look" of "drug seeker" from him, which is comforting.

Have you tried other methods of delivery than oral? Fentanyl? Self-administered shots? Is there no surgery that will make your situation better? 

Mum had issues with her cervical spine and they were hesitant to do surgery, but she kept at them until finally they did it and the difference was night and day afterwards.

I hate HATE pain meds, and I hate hte stigma involved.

Have you looked into alternative pain control methods (if they are legal in your state) including THC? I've heard that while the use of that is controversial for soem chronic pain conditions, it actually has studies to back up its use in the case of neurological issues as more efficacious in certain instances.

Good luck. You know I can relate and my heart goes out to you!

I am having a similar issue. (just posted on this forum last night) I have been very successful w/ weightloss (Started @ 309lbs and now am 143lbs), however i was diagnosised w/ a rare spinal disease last year. (about 5 months post op) I was found to have a tumor inside of myspinal cord. As you can imagine the pain is out of control. it runs my life. I have been seeing a pain management specialist for the past 8 months and have been on every medications known to man. (i dont want to name them all bc people have issues w/ medications that have a social stigma attached) They all help short term, but noticed that the take 1 "every 4 hours" or "every 6 hours" is a joke. My pain is normally back in 1-2 hours. Does this have something to do w. my gastric bypass and how my body processes medication?

I googled it and found soooo many similar stories. same situation. (Same situation with sleeping meds. If i take 1 ambien it knocks me out (litterally in 2 minutes) but only lasts 3 hours. Then i am WIDE AWAKE. The same pill should last 7-8 hours and and keeps my 300lb father for 7 hours. I KNOW that this is my problem. I just figured it our last night. I can take 5-6x's the normal amount of medication that a normal person takes to get the normal effect. It's very frustrating and depressing. I run out of meds 1-2 weeks before my refill. I was on very heavy medications, but told them i wanted off. Now 3 weeks later i am trying to find a balance to just get by and lead a somewhat decent qality of life. There isnt much medical documentation online, but .i am finding tons of  people w/ the same issue.