“Firsts” are often a source of stress for many folks. The first appointment with a chronic pain specialist is no exception. In an effort to help ease this tension, we asked our Bedford Texas doctors accepting new patients (locations also in Benbrook and Lewisville) to share some basics about what to expect at your first appointment with a chronic pain specialist.

 

When to See a Specialist

One of the more common questions we get asked as chronic pain specialists is “How do you know when it’s time to see a specialist?”. The answer is different for every patient, depending of course, on their specific condition and the intensity of their symptoms. However, there are some general indicators that typically help point to the need for a more specific type of help:

• Pain has continued for 3+ months
• You are looking for treatment options beyond what your primary care physician can offer
• Your current treatment’s progress has plateaued
• You’re canceling plans frequently due to discomfort
• Activities that normally bring you fulfillment are too challenging to continue

 

Preparation for the Appointment

There are several things you can do prior to the appointment which will help the first appointment go smoothly.

• Keep a pain journal recording symptom type, frequency and intensity. This will be a valuable tool to share with the specialist at your first appointment.
• Call ahead of time to find out if there are any medical records you will need to bring with you or forms you can fill out ahead of time.
• Prepare a list of medications and treatments you are currently using.
• If your pain specialist practices at multiple locations, be sure you know which location your appointment is being held at and how to get there.
• Plan to arrive 15-20 minutes prior to your appointment time.

Be sure to ask the intake specialist [at the time of booking your appointment] if there are specific tasks or documents he or she recommends you bring along to the appointment. Our Bedford doctors accepting new patients (locations also in Lewisville and Benbrook) like to make this first appointment as stress-free as possible. On that note, if just getting to the appointment is already enough of a challenge for you due to your condition, we encourage you to do what you can, and we’ll help you with the rest when you get here!

 

At the Appointment

Much of your time in your first appointment will be spent on your comprehensive evaluation. This can include some or all of the following, depending on your unique condition and health history indications:

• Review of your health history
• Questions about your current pain symptoms and levels and information about what aggravates or soothes your pain
• Physical examination
• Discussion about past and current treatments
• Tests and/or X-Rays as indicated

By the end of your evaluation, your doctor will likely have both short-term and long-term goals that will support your customized treatment plan. Don’t be shy about asking questions along the way – a good doctor cares just as much about educating you about your condition as he or she does about helping you experience freedom from the symptoms of your condition.

 

Next Steps

Depending on how busy your specialist typically is, it may be wise to book your next 2-3 appointments so that you get the dates and times you need to support your treatment plan. You may need to schedule with different departments within the same practice, as well, which can often complicate things.

Feel free to request a reminder call, text or email if you suspect there’s a chance you may forget or get distracted by a pain flair up the week of your appointment. Or, if you are the tech-savvy type, set an alarm in your phone for the morning of the day of your next appointment. Be sure to arrange transportation to and from any appointments that include intensive treatments.

 

Back Doctors in Bedford TX

If you live with back pain, arthritis, cancer-related pain or any other type of pain that won’t go away, you know how frustrating it can be. Interventional pain management is a branch of medical care that can help. The pain specialists at the Comprehensive Pain Institute will work to find the cause of your pain and we’ll treat it at its source. This can give you a better quality of life and result in sustainable relief. Call today to get started!