If you're injured in an automobile accident and are experiencing a great deal of pain, as well as impaired mobility, one of the best things that could happen to you is to be referred to a physiatrist. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physiatrist)
I was fortunate to be referred to an especially good one, and he has overseen my care for more than eighteen months. How do I know he's that good? Because my case manager, who usually works in a very large metro area, told me so. I already suspected that, but it was nice to hear my opinion confirmed.
I haven't always been so fortunate during this ordeal though. At one point I was referred to a pain management specialist who was something less than impressive.
She was supposed to teach me techniques to 'close the pain gate.' (see http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/backpain/back_pain_gate_control_theory.htm)
Close the pain gate?! Okay! At that point in my recovery, I could see where suicide might, eventually, become a viable option for pain relief so yeah. I was all for closing that gate. Let's slam that sucker shut, paddle lock it, weld it, build a brick wall around it, do whatever it takes to keep that baby closed!
Except to my surprise and disgust (mostly disgust), she suggested I start making use of things like motorized shopping carts, wheelchairs and walkers with seats. You know, so I could walk awhile, sit and rest awhile, walk a little more...
What???!!!
This wasn't teaching me to close any gate! This was basically telling me to give up and accept life as an invalid. I really wanted to tell her to bite me, but held my tongue, finished out the appointment, then couldn't get out of there fast enough. Literally, since I was still walking slow as a snail at the time. When I ranted about it to my doctor he told me I didn't need to see her anymore. Good thing because I hadn't planned on gong back!
You need to make very sure that you, and those who are treating you, are on the same page. My doctor and I are. The pain management specialist and I were not.
Had I listened to the well meaning garbage coming out of her mouth, I'd be destined to life in a wheelchair. Instead, I got hooked up with a great physical therapy program. When I started, walking for 5 minutes on a treadmill set at 0.4 mph was like torture. When I had to stop treatments nine months later, due to insurance issues, I was up to 1.7 mph for 20-30 minutes. Quite a nice improvement. I miss the treadmill though. The pace is steadier and less painful than walking on solid ground.
To back up a second. You'll note that I said great physical therapy program. Trust me, some programs aren't even good. My first round of PT falls in that category. So I thought I'd try pool therapy through the same company. It fell in to another category. That would be called a very bad program.
The third choice was the charm though. These therapists knew exactly what they were doing. While they never pushed me to the point where I'd hurt myself more, they didn't cut me any slack. Which worked well for me because I don't cut myself much slack either. I was always up for anything that would help me get back to normal faster. Any time they asked if I wanted to try something new, I always said yes. Sometimes I wish I hadn't but in the end, it always proved to be a good decision.
They, also, were on the same page. They knew what my ultimate goal was and worked with me to make it happen. When my benefits are reinstated, I'd like to pick up where we left off. While I made amazing progress there, I still have a long road ahead of me.
But that road is much shorter than it would have been had I listened to the pain management specialist.
So take it from me. Be choosy in who you work with, or your outcome might be very different than what you'd hoped it would be. You must take an active role in your recovery. If someone seems to have given up on you, find someone who won't.
No comments:
Post a Comment