Attention: People w/Chronic Pain...*A VALUABLE Tool to Help You Talk to Your Doctor*

[Richard_smoker]

THIS IS FOR PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC PAIN.

I've noticed an awful lot people in this forum with pain that they are afraid to consult a physican concerning... At the last moment, I decided to make this a new thread so that it would be easy for all to locate.

The reason for this post is to help solve the #1 problem between doctors and patients--ESPECIALLY for people in pain. Most physicians equate chronic pain with drug addicts--at least on some level. So, trust is ESSENTIAL. This paperwork will eliminate MOST of the problems with communication and it will HELP build communication and TRUST. *If your physician does NOT end up feeling comfortable prescribing adequate pain relief, then ASK HIM WHERE HE CAN SEND YOU TO GET RELIEF! REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH ANY DOC CAN LEGALLY TREAT PAIN W/ANY MEDS THEY WANT, THIS IS WHAT PAIN SPECIALISTS DO FOR A LIVING!!!

#1 PROBLEM W/GETTING ADEQUATE PAIN TREATMENT:
MISCOMMUNICATION & MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN PATIENT & DOCTOR!

This is a CHECKLIST that will help you to COMMUNICATE with your physician...

You can import this post (the part that starts w/"Pain medication checklist") into Word and then fill it out to give your primary care doc or a pain specialist on your 1st visit.

This information will tell the doctor a LOT, and it saves you AND him TONS OF TIME... It will save you both the AWKWARDNESS of having to ask you about drug & alcohol abuse and then YOU having to look him in the eye and say "YES" or "NO." (don't you HATE that shit?)

Plus, this sheet could save you TWO OR THREE VISITS and TONS of needless drug trials because you will have already DONE MOST of his 'investigative' work. Plus it's PAPERWORK!!

Paperwork = PHYSICAL DOCUMENTATION THEY CAN PUT INTO YOUR CHART!!!

Said yet another way: this means that if you're nice and compliant with his recommendations, etc. and the doctor doesn't CATCH YOU in any blatant LIES, then this paperwork is considered "PROOF" of what medications you've already TRIED, and what medications that you're WILLING to try!!! This paperwork is PROOF of your willingness to help him to help YOU. comprende?

Remember the GOLDEN RULE:
"DRUG ADDICTS" AREN'T WILLING TO TRY ANYTHING!!!
"DRUG ADDICTS" WANT THE DRUG THEY'RE ADDICTED TO!!

any doctor you go to will need to get this information from you ANYWAYS, so taking this form will take a lot of the work away from him/her. Just DON'T do the usual drug addict thing and say that you're allergic to every-fucking-thing except the drug you want! I CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH! IF YOU DO THAT SHIT, DOCTORS WILL *HATE* YOU AND THEY WILL BE STUBBORN AND FIGHT AGAINST YOU, AS WELL AS YOUR RIGHTS FOR ADEQUATE ANALGESIA BECAUSE THEY 'KNOW' WHAT YOU'RE DOING!

THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY LABEL YOU A DRUG ADDICT. You say, "I'm allergic to codeine, all anti-inflammatories, nubaine, and morphine," and they will "KNOW" (even if they're wrong)... they'll KNOW that you are a lortab or dilaudid ADDICT.

This sheet is very friendly for both of you.

BTW, take this on your FIRST visit! The 1st visit is when they do the history, etc. and they WILL ask you about former prescription drugs, OTC meds, and they WILL ask you about illegal drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.

Don't lie about the cigarettes--they can smell them on you.

If you're an alcoholic, then you MUST put indicate that you are a somewhat-regular drinker. When they draw blood, they will KNOW if you're lying! (by your enzyme profile)

REMEMBER: LIARS DON'T GET TREATED LIKE HONEST PEOPLE!

Print this out, fill it out, and it will give your doc an idea of how much pain you're in, what does and doesn't work for you, AND I think it might be a useful tool just for educating yourself on the hierarchy of pain treatments and medications. also, feel free to write in any side effects you didn't enjoy out in the margins.

When you hand it over, tell them that your cousin, nephew, aunt, mom, (who is a nurse or medical assistant or student) gave it to you because they know a lot about doctors and they wanted to save you AND him/her the grief of having to remember everything you've tried in the past.
Cheers! -Dick

Pain Medication Checklist

This sheet lists many medications used by patients with chronic pain. Please complete it to help your physician plan the best possible treatment for your pain. Place a check in front of the name of each medicine that you now use or have used in the past. If you think that you may have taken a medication but are not sure, place a check mark next to its name. The generic names are followed by common examples of brand names (in parentheses). Please write in the names of medicines that you have taken that are not listed on the lines labeled "'other." Thank you.

Non-Prescription Pain Relievers

_____ Acetaminophen (Tylenol, Datril, Phenaphen, Panadol, etc.)
_____ Aspirin (Bayer, Empirin, etc.)
_____ Aspirin and caffeine (Anacin, Synalgos, etc.)
_____ Buffered aspirin (Bufferin, Ascriptin, etc.)
_____ Effervescent aspirin (Alka Seltzer, Bromo Seltzer, etc.)
_____ Enteric coated aspirin (Ecotrin, etc.)
_____ Ibuprofen (Advil, Nuprin, Haltrin, Pamprin, etc.)
_____ Choline salicylate (Arthropan)
_____ Salsalate (Disalcid)
_____ Triple salicylates (Trilisate)
_____ Other

Non-Steroidal Antinflammatory Analgesics

_____ Carprofen (Rimadyl)
_____ Diclofenac (Voltaren)
_____ Diflunisal (Dolobid)
_____ Etodolac (Lodine)
_____ Fenoprofen (Nalfon)
_____ Flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
_____ Ibuprofen (Motrin, Rufen, Ifen, etc.)
_____ Indomethacin (Indocin, etc.)
_____ Ketoprofen (Orudis)
_____ Ketorolac (Toradol)
_____ Meclofenamate (Meclomen)
_____ Mefenamic acid (Ponstel)
_____ Nabumetone (Relafen)
_____ Naproxen (naprosyn, Anaprox)
_____ Oxaprozin (Daypro)
_____ Oxyphenbutazone (Tandearil, others)
_____ Phenylbutazone (Butazolidin, Azolid, etc.)
_____ Piroxicam (Feldene)
_____ Sulindac (Clinoril)
_____ Tolmetin (Tolectin)

Prescription Analgesics

_____ Buprenex (Buprenex)
_____ Butorphanol (Stadol)
_____ Codeine
_____ Dezocine (Dalgan)
_____ Dihydrocodeine (Synalgos-DC)
_____ Fentanyl (Duragesic, Sublimaze)
_____ Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Hydrocet, Hycodaphen, Hy-Phen, etc.)
_____ Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
_____ Levorphanol (LevoDromoran, etc.)
_____ Meperidine (Demerol, Mepergan, pethidine, etc.)
_____ Methadone (Dolophine, etc.)
_____ Morphine (MS Contin, Roxanol, etc.)
_____ Nalbuphine (Nubain)
_____ Opium (Pantapon, Laudanum, etc.)
_____ Oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan, Roxicodone, Tylox, etc.)
_____ Oxymorphone (Numorphan)
_____ Pentazocine (Talwin, Talacen)
_____ Propoxyphene (Darvon, Dolene, Darvocet, etc.)

Muscle Relaxants

_____ Baclofen (Lioresal)
_____ Carisoprodol (Soma, Rela, etc.)
_____ Chlorphenesin (Maolate)
_____ Chlorzoxazone (Paraflex, Paracet, Chlorzone, etc.)
_____ Cyclobenazprine (Flexeril)
_____ Dantrolene (Dantrium)
_____ Diazepam (Valium, etc.)
_____ Methocarbamol (Robaxin, Marbaxin, etc.)
_____ Orphenadrine (Norflex, X-Otag, etc.)
_____ Other

Anti-Anxiety Agents/Sedatives/Sleeping Pills

_____ Alprazolam (Xanax)
_____ Amobarbital (Amytal, Tuinal, etc.)
_____ Aprobarbital (Alurate)
_____ Chloral hydrate (Noctec, Somnos, others)
_____ Clonazepam (Klonipin)
_____ Buspirone (BuSpar)
_____ Butabarbital (Butisol, etc.)
_____ Chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Lipoxide, Limbitrol, etc.)
_____ Chlormezanone (Trancopal)
_____ Clorazepate (Tranxene, etc.)
_____ Diazepam (Valium, etc)
_____ Doxepin (Sinequan, Adapin, etc.)
_____ Flurazepam (Dalmane, Durapam, etc.)
_____ Halazepam (Paxipam)
_____ Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistrail, etc.)
_____ Lorazepam (Ativan, Alzapam, etc.)
_____ Mephobarbital (Mebaral, etc.)
_____ Meprobamate (Equanil, Miltown, Equagesic, etc.)
_____ Oxazepam (Serax, etc.)
_____ Pentobarbital (Nembutal, etc.)
_____ Phenobarbital (Luminal, etc.)
_____ Prazepam (Centrax)
_____ Secobarbital (Seconal, etc.)
_____ Talbutal (Lotusate)
_____ Temazepam (Restoril, etc.)
_____ Triazolam (Halcion)
_____ Compoz
_____ Nytol
_____ Sominex
_____ Unisom
_____ Nervine
_____ Quiet World
_____ Sleep-Eze
_____ Other

Steroids

_____ Cortisone (Cortone, etc.)
_____ Dexamethasone (Decadrone, Hexadrol, etc.)
_____ Hydrocortisone (Hydrocortone, Cortef, etc.)
_____ Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, etc.)
_____ Prednisolone (Delta-Cortef, Prelone, etc.)
_____ Prednisone (Deltasone, Metacorten, etc.)
_____ Triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenacort, etc.)
_____ Other

Antidepressant Analgesics

_____ Amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep, Triavil, Etrafon, Limbitrol, etc.)
_____ Amoxapine (Ascendin)
_____ Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
_____ Clompiramine (Anafranil)
_____ Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane)
_____ Doxepin (Sinequan, Adapin, etc.)
_____ Fluoxetine (Prozac)
_____ Imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine, etc.)
_____ Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
_____ Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
_____ Nortiptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
_____ Paroxitine (Paxil)
_____ Phenylzine (Nardil)
_____ Protiptyline (Vivactil)
_____ Sertraline (Zoloft)
_____ Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
_____ Trazadone (Desyrel, etc.)
_____ Trimpramine (Surmontil)
_____ Other

Phenothiazines

_____ Acetophenazine (Tindal)
_____ Chlorpromazine (Thorazine, Promapar, etc.)
_____ Fluphenazine (permitil, Prolixin, etc.)
_____ Mesoridazine (Serentil)
_____ Perphenazine (Trilaton)
_____ Prochlorperazine (Compazine, etc.)
_____ Promazine (Sparine, Prozine, etc.)
_____ Thioridazine (Mellaril, Millazine, etc.)
_____ Thiothixene (Navane, etc.)
_____ Trifluoperazine (Stelazine, Suprazine, etc.)
_____ Triflupromazine (Vesprin)
_____ Other

Other Psychotropic Drugs

_____ Chlorprothixene (Taractan)
_____ Clozapine (Clozaril)
_____ Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, etc.)
_____ Haloperidol (Haldol, etc.)
_____ Lithium (Eskalith, Lithane, Lithobid, Cibalith, etc.)
_____ Loxapine (Loxitane)
_____ Methamphetamine (Desoxyn, Methampex, etc.)
_____ Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
_____ Molindone (Moban)
_____ Pemoline (Cylert)
_____ Pimozide (Orap)
_____ Other

Anticonvulsant Analgesics

_____ Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
_____ Clonazepam (Klonopin)
_____ Phenytoin (Dilantin, diphenylhydantoin, etc.)
_____ Valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
_____ Other

Circulatory System Agents

_____ Acebutolol (Sectral)
_____ Atenolol (Tenormin)
_____ Diltiazem (Cardizem)
_____ Enalapril (Vasotec)
_____ Ergonovine (Ergotrate, etc.)
_____ Ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Wigraine, etc.)
_____ Isometheptene and acetaminophen (Midrin)
_____ Isradipine (Dynacirc)
_____ Labetolol (Normodyne, Trandate)
_____ Methysergide (Sansert)
_____ Metoprolol (Lopressor)
_____ Nicardipine (Cardene)
_____ Nadolol (Corgard)
_____ Nifedipine (Procardia, Trandate)
_____ Pindolol (Visken)
_____ Propranolol (Inderal, etc.)
_____ Timolol (Blocadren)
_____ Verapamil (Malan, Isoptin, etc.)
_____ Other

Gastrointestinal Agents

_____ Antacid (name[s])
______ _________________________
_____ Cimetidine (Tagamet)
_____ Famotidine (Pepsid)
_____ Metoclopramide (Reglan)
_____ Misoprostil (Cytotec)
_____ Nizatidine (Axid)
_____ Omeprazole (Prilosec)
_____ Amphetamine (Benzadrine, etc.)
_____ Ranitidine (Zantac)
_____ Simethicone (Mylicon, Gas-X, etc.)
_____ Sucralfate (Carafate)
_____ Other

Vitamins and Supplements

_____ Multivitamin (name[s]) ______________________________
_____ Vitamin A
_____ Vitamin B Complex (name) ___________________________
_____ Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
_____ Vitamin D
_____ Vitamin E
_____ Vitamin K
_____ Niacin, nicotinic acid, vitamin B-2
_____ Phenylanine, DLPA
_____ Pyridoxine, Vitamin B-6
_____ Tryptophan, 1-tryptophan
_____ Other

Mood Affecting Drugs

_____ Cocaine
_____ Crack
_____ Heroin (diamorphine, diacetyl morphine, etc.
_____ LDS, lysergic acid
_____ Marijuana, cannabis, hashish
_____ Peyote, mescaline, mushrooms
_____ PCP, phencyclidine, angel dust
_____ Other

In an average week, how many of these do you usually consume?

_____ Cups of coffee
_____ Cans/glasses of beer
_____ Ounces of whiskey
_____ Cans/glasses of cola
_____ Glasses of wine
_____ Cigarettes

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Damn good post, liked the list
	Great post on Information on Chronic pain management
	very important topic to bring up, thanks!
	GREAT TOOL