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What to expect during an initial consultation?

When we meet with you for the first time we have two major goals: to understand how pain affects your life and to help you understand the causes of your pain and the treatment options available. During our initial meeting, we’ll first discuss your overall health: the medical problems you have, the medicines you take, the surgeries you have had, and your lifestyle. Once we have a good understanding of your overall health, we’ll move onto a discussion of your pain. Where is it? What does it feel like? What makes it better or worse? When does it occur? Are there any other feelings that occur with the pain? Has anything helped you in the past? Most importantly, we try to understand how the pain affects your life. How is it limiting your participation in activities you enjoy? How is it affecting your relationships? How is it affecting your mental health? Following this we'll perform a physical exam to gather more information about the potential causes of your pain. 

 

Once we've gathered all of this information, we'll discuss with you what we think is causing your pain and what options youhave for the next steps in your treatment. We'll then discuss the best path forward to make sure the plan is consistent with your goals and values. Sometimes this includes trying a new medication or intervention. Other times you may require a diagnostic test or study to determine the exact cause of your pain. At the end of the first meeting, we make sure all of your questions are answered and that you understand the plan and when we will meet again.

What should I bring with me to my first visit?

​In order to ensure that we have the information required to make your first visit as easy as possible, we ask that you bring the following with you:

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  • Photo identification

  • Health Insurance Cards

  • Request from your referring physician

  • If you are self referring, the name and address of your primary care physician so that Georgetown Pain Management can help coordinate care.

  • If your insurance company requires that you obtain a Maryland Uniform Referral from your primary care physician to see a specialist, please bring it with you

  • X-Rays or MRI’s (if applicable), please bring the films and the radiologist report from the exam.

  • Insurance company co-pay. Please be prepared to make co-pay payment at the time of your appointment. We accept cash and credit cards.

How should I prepare for my procedure?

  • Please stop eating and drink 8 (eight) hours before your procedure. This includes gum, candy, water, tea, coffee, oand snacks.

  • If you have diabetes, your procedure will be scheduled at the beginning of the day. Remember to following the directions of your physician for insulin and other medication management.

  • You must have a driver in order to receive sedation. If you do not have a driver, the procedure may be able to be performed without sedation. We will monitor you closely following the procedure and make sure you are ready to go home. Ubers, Lyfts, or other ridesharing apps may only be used if you are accompanied at discharge by a responsible adult

  • If you take any blood thinners (anticoagulation), please make sure you have discussed this with your physician and know when to stop taking your medications. Your pain physician may ask you to discuss stopping your blood thinner with the prescribing physician prior to scheduling your procedure.

  • If you are pregnant or there is any possibility that you are pregnant and this has not been discussed with your pain physician, please notify us immediately. 

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