Need a pain management doctor
Hello. My wife and I moved from Florida to Hackettstown last November. My wife needs to find a new pain management. We tried to see a doctor at the Willow Grove Medical center, but he claims he won't take new patients that already have a prescription for narcotics. (That's what we were told. The G. P. suspects it is due to the insurance.)
We would greatly appreciate any recommendations. Thank you,
E.A. Used Dr. Chris Castro w. Orthopedic Inst of NJ on Bilby Rd. He is great and has a wonderful bedside manner.
LadeeVee 
Rebecka ok - he's not around the corner but-----I had awful back pain - sciatica - tried pt, chiro and finally the ortho doc sent me to Dr. Silverman. I had two epidurals --which had had me scared - but they were quick and easy and sent me on my way to the end of severe back pain.......................
5catmom Dr. Salam at Hunterdon Orthopedics
http://hunterdonortho.com/service/pain-management/
3wbdwnj Hi - Dr. Winne in Morristown, NJ. Very good doctor. He is patient and has very good bedside manners too. He talks to you and gives you options and you can ask whatever questions you may have for him.
HR Has anyone used Micheal Gutkin on Mtn Ave for pain management? He is listed as a Physiatrist and my doc said they would be a good option for sciatica pain over an orthopedic doc to start. I notice 3wbdwnj you mention Dr Salam...how did you like her bedside manner and was she willing to work other ways before suggesting injections?
GrascalDr. Gutkin is part of the orthopedic group in Hackettstown, main location on Bilby Road. There are a number of doctors within the pm group you can see. Dr. G has a good manner and can provide other options for treatment. Dr. Castro is part of this group too.
denise 
ms_warren_county http://local.yahoo.com/info-58841101-lutz-philip-e-md-tricounty-pain-management-hcktstwn-hackettstown
This is the only info I found for dr.Lutz. has hackettstown office across from target
Narcotics are not always the answer, but sometimes they are. A good pain management doctor would be able to sort that out.
Independence Farmer I have had injections with Dr Gutkin. They worked for awhile for the pain, but you can only get them a couple of times a year...and they must be pre certified by your insurance company. He is a nice guy,I usually see Erin in the practice she is a PA. She is lovely and very knowledgeable. Hope you fine a good Dr soon.
bowie Thank you...I'm giving a lil bit more time to see if things settle on their own and with chiropractic but being this has been off and on since November I'm thinking another route needed before long... thanks for the input.
Grascal - both chiropractic and pain meds treat the symptom - pain - but will not get to the root of the issue. Physical therapy might be a good option to try.
Have any of you guys gotten the steroid shots? I have herniated discs and I do not want to start taking pain meds. While they are still a cover up for the real problem, I think its a better option for me. I have a referral for a pain management doc at Robert Wood Johnson but... I'd really like to go to one closer! I also have no insurance, so I have no idea how much injections would be but I'm willing to try anything. I have get no relief.
AJ I used a pain doctor at Valley Hospital - he was terrific -- had tried phys therapy and chiropractic and finally after the mri - spine doc recommended Dr. Robert Silverman at Valley - I was very pleased...had two injections - no clue what the cost was though
Townies I have been under the care of Dr. Gutkin and Erin O'Donoghue (PA) at the Orthopedic institute on bilby rd for the last 4 years (908-684-3005). I have tried physical therapy, deep tissue massage, acupuncture, hypnosis and finally 2 years ago - major back surgery. I couldn't walk out to get my mail without bringing a popup chair with me because my sciatica pain was so bad. After my surgery i walked out of the hospital without that pop up chair and i thought my problems were over. Back surgery usually requires a lot of time to completely recover which i never did. They have discovered i have other arthritic conditions that i will have to deal with for the rest of my life. The reason i have told you this is to rebut the flippant responses of some on this post about narcotic pain medications. When you have daily chronic pain, every morning you wake up and spend several minutes trying to put your socks on while you grit your teeth, when a 'good' day is only about 6-8 hours of pain, deal with depression because you know tomorrow will be no better.... limp a mile in my shoes.... I dont endorse the use of pain meds, but, there are times, especially with long term chronic pain, that they allow you to live as normal of a life as you can. I am monitored on a monthly basis by dr gutkin and erin and i appreciate that monitoring and the compassion that they show.
AJ- I have had over 28 steroid shots over the last 3-4 years with varying levels of success, they dont really hurt (a pinch and some pressure), in the last 2 weeks i have had 2 RFA treatments where they inject a needle into your SI Joint (sciatica) and they burn the nerves around the effected areas and the results are very very promising. as far as cost goes you can speak to them about that but i'm pretty sure you can get them for around 3-4 hundred.
yankee AJ, I had a majorly herniated disc and did the steroid shots. They were very temporary and honestly, I still was in some pain and needed medication. It wasn't until I had a partial disectomy via an LED that I managed to get back to functioning at about 85%. Unfortunately, I have permanent nerve damage from the disc having put pressure on my sciatic nerve. Luckily, I only need to take prescription pain meds every once in a while now.
Some chronic illnesses require narcotic pain meds. A good dr. that monitors everything is the answer. I have chronic pain and I take meds on occasion. I am fortunate enough to not have to take them on a daily basis but need them on occasion. yes they are addictive but they are needed. Walk a mile in my shoes then tell me that. With that said I do not like the way they make me feel. I avoid them as much as possible but when I do take them I am home in bed sleeping.
Christine As a followup. I did see Dr Gutkin. I like him. He recommended Physical therapy. They helped me build a nice set of exercises which I now do at home each day. The pain is improving and the pins and needles in my legs and feet are easing. Although I have good and bad days. His next suggestion if it doesn't fully improve is and epidural. I forgot to ask him if he does "Guided Epidurals" or how they are done. Can anyone clarify how they do them and how they fared with them and if Dr Gutkin is a good choice. I get the feeling I'd be in good hands with him.
He is good. epidural shots can be done in his office and are very helpful. His group also has a surgical services facility in Sparta you can go to if you don't wish to be "conscious" while having the injection.
I had 2 epidurals 2 years ago at the pain management center of Valley Hospital--scared as I was before, it was no big deal - doc had my mri as well as my description of where the pain was - gave me an injection of some kind of numbing med - then the epidural - no pain - done within 5 minutes - the second one did the job - that was after phys. therapy and chiropractic as recommended by the spine doctor - I've been fine - besides the usual aches after I pick up something too heavy -ever since - wishing you well
I am in search of a medicare doctor for pain management. I see that this thread is almost 3 years old and was looking for an update on the information. From what I've read on these posts they don't have to do with the cause of pain that I'm looking for. The individual that needs this relief is one who has bone on bone in one knee and isn't a candidate for surgery for a knee replacement. The other pain comes from the ankle where a tendon is off and they are in a leather mold to hold the bones in place. No surgery for this either. Anyone have anything close to these issues recently that can recommend a good pain specialist? Thanks for any help with suggestions.
Magpie Dr Valenza at Kessler in Chester is fantastic. Will not just prescribe anything. Very good and very careful to make sure your pain levels are bearable. I've had major concerns about the affects and possible addiction related to pain medication, but he is wonderful and takes every precaution in helping you. I highly recommend him and his whole staff. 1 (973) 252-6303.. Best of luck to your wife.
LuLu22 In addition to all of the above treatment recommendations, my doctor prescribed a TENS machine. It is a battery operated electronic stimulation machine which can be worn completely under your clothes. It allows me to go medicine free on some days. It was completely covered by my insurance company. Ask your doctor if it would help in your specific condition. Hoping you find relief.
Htownforlife@gmail.c Highly recommend Dr. Gutkin's office. Think it's called the Orthopedic Institute? Something like that, as he has since grown from one office to nine. They have a full staff, making things go smoothly, such as timely insurance materials (disability or other wise) or medication schedules, without interruptions. They have an excellent PA, Erin, whom my partner is very comfortable and happy with. He was one of their first few patients, when they we're starting out, over 10 years ago, and he has nothing but praise, since he's been going there. They are the best!! I wish Dr. "A" would return, but I think he's doing the "doctors without borders", thing. Another very compassionate Dr., but the whole staff is wonderful.
sparksjbc1964 My doctor is retiring and i have been on narcotics for severe pain for 6 years. Any idea on where to go ? Called a pain management place and they interrogated me on phone before even having appointment. Told them my history and they are like well we don't prescribe . I thought they would at least have to check me out first in person before outright putting me down. I am open to other options but it is very difficult situation. Don't mind getting blood tested or whatever. Unreal stress with this mess.
Wilson Wilson,
If your doctor is retiring , seems odd he would just abandon patients.
why wouldn't your doctor suggest another facility ???
Steven Steven,
Doctor did suggest another facility. Other facility shot me down on phone basically. That is the one i called. Maybe i worded things wrong on the phone but is wasn't like i was asking for pills. It was like basically they said we do not prescribe and your welcome to try other places. I didn't even know what to say so it was tough predicament .
Hi Wilson. So sorry you're going through this mess. Before your doctor retires, have him write one more month of your script and a referral to a pain management doctor for continuation of care. See if he will call and talk to your new pain management doctor, as well, about your treatment. It helps, if your doctor knows any of the other doctors, there.
New pain patients are very rarely prescribed narcotics, within the first few visits. They have to establish a relationship with you, first. My partner has seen both Dr. Gutkins(one is a chiropractor. The other, an M.D.), for over ten years now, due to spinal damage. They are extremely compassionate, along with Erin (the P.A), and the rest of the staff. They not only treat the pain. They address psychological issues that may arise, as a side effect of chronic pain. Whatever you do, try to avoid surgery, unless you're bordering on paralysis. So many of their patients, are from botched back surgeries, performed by their previous doctors. Yes, some surgeries are very successful, however, it's not the norm.
Wishing you peace and comfort, soon.
Sparks gives great advice here. I would just like to add that I went to the same group mentioned several times in this thread, and saw Dr. Christopher Castro on Thursday. I was *extrememly* pleased and impressed that we have this resource right in our little town. (For reference, I'm quite picky about doctors, and usually end up traveling quite a ways to see specialist.)
Here is their website: http://orthopedicnj.com/
I went asking for anything *except* opiates (I personally can't stand them), and Dr. Castro was wonderful. We were right on the same page with what we should try, and he really took the time to get to listen and get to know me. Highly recommend.
rose Does anyone have an updated Dr in the area to help?, I have several sources of pain.
It's become very difficult to be mobile. Thank you
Not exactly "in the area" but Morris Anesthesia Group has 2 pain management docs. Dr Sim and Dr Shah are both great...the downside is the office is in Parsippany. They practice out of a couple surgery centers and also saint Clare's hospital. Their number is 973-335-1122
LB 
EVV It's hard to find anyone that'll write for new patients nowadays thanks to all these nuts that are pushing the opioid movement bs. Because they had a family member that stupidly overdosed on something that they probably weren't supposed to be taking, people that are suffering with terminal illness or just in pain at 90 years old have to be treated like drug addicts. There is a difference between addiction and dependence.
Animallove It is ridiculous how the doctors here treat us like drug addicts because we ask for a pain pill! I was in Beleize in November and Cabo in May and got what I needed, just in case I need something. Muscle relaxers, Vicodin. Spent an hour with the pharmacist in Cabo, found out some interesting things. P.S Beleize was cheaper pill wise. Good luck everyone who has to deal with this.
Happygirl The above threads are ten years old. I need knee replacement in both legs.
I am not a candidate for surgery. The knees are bone on bone. I also have chronic
diabetic wounds. Thanks for your help.
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