Four Reasons to Keep Up With Your Pain Doctor Visits

Strategies for Chronic Pain Management

To Check Up on Your General Health

Even if you have nothing new to report, it’s a good idea to check in with your pain doctor regularly just to see how you are progressing. This is a good opportunity to take a look at the things a doctor normally investigates in a check-up, such as weight, blood pressure and heart rate. Keeping tabs on your general health can help stop some of these complications before they have a chance to progress.

To See How Your Condition is Progressing

There are many different kinds of chronic pain conditions, and each patient has his or her own disease progression. It's important to check in with your doctor to see how you are doing -- you cannot compare your status by measuring yourself against others. Stick with your appointments as scheduled, but also be sure to make an earlier appointment if you're having trouble and you're next follow-up is a ways away.

To Assess Your Pain Medication

Bring your pain journal. Let your doctor see first-hand how well your pain is being controlled. Does your medication still seem as effective as when you first began taking it, or are there times when you have breakthrough pain? Does your medication have side effects that you would rather live without? A check-up is a great time to bring any of your pain medication concerns to light, before they become serious. Your pain management doctor can work with you to make the necessary adjustments.

To Find Out What’s New

Your pain management doctor is a great resource for news about your chronic pain condition. Are there new studies available about your chronic pain disorder, or any new medications on the market that might be suitable for you? Perhaps there are new updates on effective treatments that may help you better manage your pain. Whatever the news, you can be sure your pain management doctor is keeping up with it. If you like to research on your own, you can use this time to discuss anything new you have learned, and whether or not it applies to your chronic pain condition.