When Talking To Your Pain Management Doctor, There Are Things You Shouldnt Say

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Sometimes were lucky and get a general physician that is gentle and warm welcoming as Dr. Oz. Then sometimes, we get a doctor that is exasperating and intimidating.  And when youre in pain and going to see a specialist like a pain management doctor, they make it a downright embarrassing experience that is uncomfortable.

Weve all had that one doctor experience that was like that. They treated you in a way that was dismissive or patronizing. Maybe even insinuated that you were an addict or a hypochondriac, perhaps even just outright said it?  This isnt an uncommon experience when you visit with a pain management doctor either.

Not that were taking sides, but perhaps you didnt talk to your pain management doctor right, and as such, got off on a bad note. Weve done a little researching with various doctors and have some tips to offer you on what not to say during your first visit, sometimes, never, when youre there for chronic pain.

1.    When your pain management doctor asks What seems to be the problems?, dont say Im hurting all over. Does this mean your eyes hurt, your teeth hurt, or your toenails hurt? Make the effort to be as specific as possible and pinpoint one or two areas that youre having the most pain. Be able to tell the doctor when and where the pain started.

2.    Dont embellish or overstate describing your pain. Most of the time, basic and simple descriptors such as achy, dull, sharp or stabbing are sufficient enough descriptions.

3.    Dont reference back to that auto accident you had 20 years ago or the time you got pushed off the playground slide.  Your pain management doctor may ask you about a time way back in an effort to find why youre having a pain, but some doctors believe this can be misleading and get away from the true problem. As such, it will make any therapy or treatment ineffective and maybe unnecessary.

4.    Dont reference your pain to an auto accident or work-related injury, even if that is why youre there. Unfortunately, by telling your pain management doctor these things, many will see it as youre attempting to build a case for gain, i.e. a cash settlement.

5.    Never ask them for a specific drug for pain management. This is a red flag for any doctor that the patient is a possible drug abuser. You are there to get help, not make suggestions on how you can be helped. Never volunteer that you are not a drug addict or drug user to your pain management doctor. When you do that, it will sound more like youre trying to cover up the truth.

6.    Do not tell your doctor that you have already tried everything there is to try, even if it seems like you have, you havent. You should create a list of all the medications and treatments that you have tried, even provide what the results were. But let your pain management doctor make the decisions on what to try or not try.

7.    Do not make a specific request for lab work or testing like an MRI. This will most likely cause nothing but a defensive attitude and a defensive response from your doctor.

8.    Do not tell your doctor that you are allergic to anything and everything, including anti-inflammatories or vaccinations.

9.    Do not talk about things you have found in the way of diagnosis, therapy or treatment that you have seen on television (like from Dr. Oz) or research you did on the internet.

These rules arent hard fast and set in stone. You should feel your pain management doctor out and determine if they are the defensive type with suggestions or if they take it as helping them. If possible, do interview sessions with them before you commit to them as a patient and learn their way of doctoring.