Caring
Validation
Access to quality services
In no way will this "cure" MH issues but it makes managing each day a little better.
I saw the pain management Dr today. Almost cancelled...so frustrated with (most) Dr.'s I had forgotten how well I liked this Dr till I got there. And...I am so glad I went as it looks like he will be coordinating my care. He came in, he validated both my pain and my concerns over the nerve study. Calmly explained that perhaps I misunderstood, the test wasn't disputing the pinched nerve, rather it was stating that it isn't nerve pain in my leg. That's all...took him seconds vs. the long drawn out, frustrating at times, talk with the Dr Monday.
Then he came over, sat next to me, put his hand on my knee. He calmly pointed out that it was nice for him to see a patient not on pain meds nor wanting them. He explained the med I stopped (An anti-inflammatory) I should keep taking as for 20+ years it worked on the back.
He acted like he cared, but it wasn't "acting"...I felt he truly cared.
So...in 10 minutes I received quality access, caring and validation w/explanation pointing out where I had mis (over) interrupted something. The only other Dr. I feel that does that is my PCP.
He calmly explained that physical therapy has changed along the years. He suggested deep tissue massage and to continue with PT. I readily agreed. I don't want surgery or pain meds. I have been open to PT once the pain was controlled.
Now I hesitate to say this as several things have worked to start....but since Sunday when I went up to 1500 mg (Now at 1800) of Gabapentin my hip pain is gone, sore muscles but no ache, my legs are weak but no pain. The back hurts a lot, I think it did all along but the hip had hurt worse. So if the meds keep me basically pain free a month then PT will start.
I wish I could explain it better...all I can say is when someone shows they care, reaches out to just say Hi, how are you. Or if you are close to that person then ask them how they are doing and just accept their response.
Sometimes a kind word can snap us (me) out of a bad place and back to the here and now. That's what happened to me today