United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I have been told that I'm pretty much in the wrong part of the country to expect real, informed treatment from local Drs. This is a very rural, very backwards area. Segregation is still practiced here---although it's not apparent to anyone who's not "from" here. In the town I grew up in there where two towns---the white town and the black town. Not neighborhoods---actual boundrys. Ironically it's not based on hatred or malice---simply "them" and 'us" mentality. As far as Drs go--they don't see injuries like this and they are resistant to ANYTHING that's new or goes against what they learned in school 20--30--years ago. Any young new Dr who tries to start a practice that "goes against the grain" of the established family lines finds himself under investigation or simply run out of town. A wonderful anesthesiologist 4-5 years ago came here from Indiana to start a pain clinic. This young Doc worked and fought and petitioned the "ruling elite" of local drs to start this and was finally run out of town on a rail. This young Drs mistake was #1--trying to bring new ideas into town that went against the status quo
#2-potentially getting a good name and patient base that would "cut in" to the others buisseness---and #3 being intelligent, out spoken, open minded, bringing new ideas--and----#4-- being a woman.
I live in an area where it's still 1955--and it will be for ever.

I had a Dr here tell me 6 months ago or so that my problem was I had an amputation-- "lotta people have amputation you learn to live with it. Now you're addicted to pills and all this shit" Very helpfull.

Think "Dukes of Hazard and you'd not be too far off. I've been told that I DO NOT have a BPI--it's "all in your head". I've seen no less than 40 maybe 50 Drs in 10 years and MAYBE 4 have ever seen or heard of bpi before. I've been told many times that if the nerves are avulsed then they can't possibly feel anything so-again- it's all in my head. In this area I have been pretty much labeled as a "drug seeker". The only 2 pain clinics within 100 miles of here refuse to prescribe pain meds at any effective dose. Most other patients I've talked to are stunned that I get 20 mgs of methadone a day. All they get is 10 a day or 20 mgs oxycontin a day or that miricle drug---850 motrin.
People in the South are not the ignorant hicks we are thought to be---it's the people in charge that maintain that stereotype. Corruption and ignorance are what they are proud of. Because they use corruption and ignorance to line thier pockets and maintain thier power base. And many Drs--not all, but many--ARE in "the ruling class". And Drs like that anesthesiologist wouldn't play ball, so she's gone
Now I apologize for the "speech". I'll put away my soapbox. This is just my opinion---and my personal experience.
I'll give you an indication of where I'm from. After Carter left the White house he came home to Plains. I was Co-editor of my High school newspaper. Amy Carter was my number one photographer/contributing writer. She was a kick in the head. I really liked her. Smart. And a little crazy. Spent a lot of time ditching her Secret Service Guards. Poor girl couldn't go to the restroom without guards. Musta been hell.

Wow...can't believe the ignorance of some Drs sometimes...seems the smaller the town, the more small minded the towns Drs are. We unfortunately have the same sort of problem sometimes here in the UK, but thankfully, fewer and fewer since we have more young Drs coming along who are more open to new ideas, and willing to work WITH a patient, and treat the patient with more respect without the 'godlike' atitude.

I think the attitude to the narcotics is a bit more relaxed here. The cannabis trials over here have also helped to relax the laws on possession for medicinal use, although it is still 'illegal' most police will overlook someone who is genuinely using it for medicinal purposes.

Sounds like all the Drs you've seen need to get out of their ivory towers, get into the real world and take a crash course on up to date medicine...have they forgotten why they went into this profession in the first place? or was it always only about the money for them??

I've emailed you mate...some things you can't say on a messageboard..! ;0)

Lizzy B

This is awful, Ronin, with Emory University pain center, one of the best in the country, only 3 hours away. Check out the web site www.painfoundation.org for ideas on how to find a doctor who will believe you and prescribe enough medicine to actually help.
Please don't allow your current doctors to call all the shots.
Good luck!
Sandy

It's ironic, Sandy, that we have young Drs. coming here too-- however, they have to please the old Drs. in order to maintain a niche for themselves. We simply cannot keep a neuro. They come--a year later they're gone.Seems female Drs. have all the strikes against them from day one. Aside from one established OB-GYN, there're maybe 2 fems here and they could leave any second.
ZERO psychiatrists--they're here 3-6 mos., then they're GONE. And the patients are standing there trying to get refills for their paxil/prozac/zoloft.
This area's economically down--folks got little for medical expenses when the kid's gotta eat.
I'm probably overly resentful of this area---getting away, escaping!!!--at age 18, then having to come back crippled at age 28 has probably made me see "the south" in a harsher light than it deserves. I'm just a cityfied country boy. I love 'em both. But I'd rather live in the city (o! Houston!!! New Orleans!!! Panama City!!!) ---Did I mention I grew up on a farm? Really! Pigs, chickens, cows, cornfields you name it.
Well--I've wasted enough of ya'lls time talking about stuff other than bpi.---hang loose----Ronin

Hey Ronin,

We live in Atlanta & have found an excellent pain doctor: Dr James Carlson at Physician Pain Specialists, 404-256-5405. He's located in the medical complex by St. Joseph's Hospital near 285/400. I expect Emory is also good, but it's always nice to have a personal reference.

Take care,

Ellen

Ronin, Dr.Allen J. Belzburg at John Hopkins Hospital, Meyer5-109,600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287 - he seemed to understand the very real need to do whatever it took to get the patients pain under control - he says the idea of worrying about addicts is rediculous and understands why avulsed nerve injuries still have pain - maybe you can find help there . He said you have to get the pain under control because the threat of suicide otherwise was very real - and not to be brushed off - .

Always glad to help Ronin-and please be aware that your posts are always informative and entertaining, I'm not the first to say this and i won't be the last. Your sense of humour will probably help you through this, I know mine has helped me. I live in a whole country where it's 1955, but medicine has not yet become a business here, so in fact being in 1955 is actually quite nice :0)
You've had some good advice in the posts above, please keep us posted with how you go.

Wow-docs that care-I wish I had one, this horrid pain prevents more than three hours of rest per day-sometimes, I reallyfeel like walking out in traffic. If only the docs gave a rats fanny..