I know I'm not 03Mach, but...in the beginning of going to see my doctor I was very specific, this is where the pain is, this is how it feels, this makes it hurt, this makes it better. Then she would have me rate my pain 1-10, that is hard to do when you are trying to average the month so keeping a diary helps. That was the only way she could adjust things to what I needed.
Now, after going to her for 4-5 years, she can see me walking with my limp, just looks at me and says "so, same stuff different day, right?" She does have to listen to the heart, lungs, etc. every second or third visit and every 6 months we do blood tests for the liver values to make sure Norco/Tylenol aren't damaging my liver. I am usually in and back out within 45 minutes or less.
Now, starting next month I am being sent to a different doctor, so I don't know how that will go, whether they will keep me on the same things because they work okay or try to mix things up. I've started keeping my pain diary again because I am sure I will be nervous and forget something!
Mochiah/a.k.a. Sue
cervical fusion 2006, with great result
L4-5 surgery with cages, plates, and screws in 2005, I have continued pain
MEDS: Fentanyl patch, Norco, Celexa, and trazodone
Im going to smile like nothing is wrong, act like everything is perfect, and pretend its not hurting me. (quote used with permission from "Tennis").