My 89 year-old Dad has been referred to a pain clinic. what goes on there and is this a good idea?

You don’t get referred to a pain clinic unless you need real help. I went to one when it was clear I needed that kind of specialized help and it works. It is hard core and you should educate yourself on all medicines and treatment protocols as best as you can and do ask questions especially of his doctor..

A pain clinic saved me when I had a herniated disc. I walked in with crutches and, after a shot of cortisone in my spine, walked out without them and never had to return. The shot wasn’t fun, but not much worse than any other shot with a big needle.

Just like you get doctors who specialise in cardiology, colorectal surgery or whatever you also get doctors who specialise in the treatment of pain be that acute pain following surgery, chronic pain from arthritis or any other cause of pain that hasn’t responded to the usual treatments. They use a whole host of techniques not just drugs and they can be very very helpful. Yes, it’s a good idea to go.

As people have said above, pain clinics are a legitimate specialty. Typically pain doctors are neurologists or anesthesiologists who have further specialized in pain control. I would definitely see what they recommend.

I had migraine headaches for most of my life. terrible, aggonizing pain in my right front temple of my head. i was referred to The Pain Clinic at Vanderbilt Hospital. i was desperate for migraine pain relief. i was willing to try experimental procedures to end my headaches. and try we did. magnets surrounding my head did not help. feedback did not help. only one procedure gave me instant migraine relief….a shot of lidocaine into my right eye and into the sinus cavity over my right eye. instant releif, but dangerous. bottomline is this: tell you dad to keep an open mind and willing to try just about anything to relieve some of his pain. i wish him and you good luck. john

I assume you are talking about spinal stenosis? I have a friend who had horrible pain, of this type, and a series of injections gave her relief. I encourage your Dad to go to the pain clinic. I’ve known anesthesiologists that specialize in treating pain. It is a marvelous specialty, that can give hope and relief. It also gives great peace of mind to know, if the symptoms reoccur in the future, what to do right away, to get relief. I believe your Dad will get some medicine for relaxation and sedation prior to getting an injection.

It’s a excellent idea. I suffered for 9 years with my old Dr telling me “you have arthritis in your spine and you’ll have to live with it”. After every pain pill in the book, I switched doctors. She referred me to a pain clinic who did an MRI and found 2 bulging disc and 2 disc they are paper thin. He did a nerve block and I’m taking very few pain pills and walking much better. I think your dad will benefit from enjoyimg a better quality of life.
btw: I’m a retired nurse who thinks even older folks deserve a good life~