Pain Management/specialist In Birmingham Area

I'm a military veteran in desperate need of a good pain management specialist. I received my injuries during 8 yrs of naval service. I started experiencing seveir back pain before separating but was unable to seek in depth medical treatment while still serving due to the nature of my job and requirements of duty while over seas. After separating it took two years of going to the VA before they we're able to find a fracture in my L1 vertebrae, 3 hurniated disk, and degenerative disk disease. I was placed on Norco 10. Even after the initial medication I was still experiencing seveir pain from what I later found out was sciatica from the damaged nerves in my lower back. I was then prescribed Gabapentin with little result. After a year and a half of gritting my teeth I informed my PCP that even with the medication I was still in a great deal of pain at which he informed me that its the VA's policy that I be taken off the medication I was on and that I would have to learn to cope with the pain. For anyone that has lived with pain you know that's not an option. I'm currently in the St. Clair county area but willing to travel if I can find a good doctor. I have lost all hope and faith in the VA medical system and this government when it comes to following through with their claims of taking care of this nations veterans. All of their bosting of caring for veterans is a load of CRAP!!! If anyone knows of a good doctor in the St. Clair or Birmingham, AL I would greatly appreciate it.

REPLY

REPORT

You are going to have to follow the next set of resulutions. There should be a patient advocate at your local VA clinic or hospital you are going to. Talk to them, make a appointment to talk to the director. Inform the director if he/she isn't going to help you you will go to your Congressmans office and file a complaint and get the local TV media involved. Norco is indeed their standard answer for any pain no matter what. Its ok if you have a toothache or sprained ankle but not near strong enough for severe pain. My Blackhawk was shot down in Iraq and I was in the hospital for one year having surgeries and learning how to walk again. I needed to have my knees replaced but was able to wait till I got the life threatening stuff done first and was going to worry about the knees once I got back to my home so my wife would be able to help me to basically just get up after having knee replacement surgery. The Army hospital I was in forwarded all my medical records and medication list to the local clinic where I live (Tulsa) and they cut everything and tried pulling that Norco thing on me also. Bad thing also besides pain, that put me in withdrawels as I had been on a Fentanyl patch and Oxycodone tablets for a year solid. I bypassed everyone and called my Congressmans office and they got it taken care of within a few days. Thank God he is pro combat veteran. You will have to ask yourself a question however. Is the pain severe you will probably need schedule 2 meds. Even taking strong meds as prescribed and not abusing them your body will eventually become tolerant of them and if for some reason you must just stop taking them you will be sicker than a dog. Also, I'm sure you know that no matter the meds you get you will still have some pain but the medication just makes it to where you can get around somewhat better. I understand them not wanting to get people hooked on meds but when you have no quality of life and cannot leave your home due to pain the Dr.'s need to step in and help you at that point. Anyway, goodluck to you, I wish you well.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I need a doctor in the Birmingham, Al area that can and will write for lortab. Any suggestions ? I have had surgery on my neck twice and three herniated discs in my thoracic spine plus screws / plates in my foot.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I need a pain specialist in Maysville, Kentucky or Portsmouth, Ohio who isn't afraid to lose their license. Please l...

1 REPLY

I have peripheral neuropathy and anxiety disorder from HIV medication and the day to day running of my life as is normal...

I was dropped from consultants in pain management due to my blood pressure being high twice within 10 days. I now am on ...

1 REPLY

Need a new knee cap it's bone to bone and today I was in the emergency room and I now tore my ligaments on the same ...

1 REPLY

I am new to the Philly area... Actually live in Delaware County but less than 5 miles from SW Philly... I am trying to f...

61 REPLIES

I was in a car accident a while back, and broke my back in two places. I've been living in constant, sharp pain ever...

5 REPLIES

After 6 years of being treated for chronic pain my doctor told me he is not going to treat chronic pain patiants anymore...

Does anyone know of a doctor in and around the Baton Rouge Louisiana area that will prescribe pain meds that takes Medic...

287 REPLIES

Can anyone recommend a good pain management Dr in the Pensacola area? I'm looking for a good PCP as well. I understa...

Doctors thar accept medicaid in houston, tx area that prescribe oxy and morphine ## Do they really accept Medicaid? ## H...

10 REPLIES