What to expect at your first visit

Dr. Johnson will want to address your primary pain first. When & how it started. What makes it worse or better. What you've done to help yourself so far.

Bring any related imaging (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, EMGs, Ultrasounds) and their reports. 
Bring any related operation reports or other doctor reports.
Bring a list of the medications you take.

- Do not expect to receive a narcotic (opioid) prescription without explicit direction from your referring doctor.  Call ahead and discuss this with Your Pain Care staff.

What to expect with EMG
Dr. Johnson will check the electrical function of your nerves by measuring how fast and how much electricity is transferred in them.  He will use tiny sparks and an acupuncture pin to record the findings.  Please wear loose fitting clothes.  Do not wear any lotion, cream, or oil on the skin of your arms or legs.

Instructions for the day of your procedure:

Please stop all over the counter (OTC) blood thinners four days before your procedure. (Examples: Aspirin, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, or Fish Oil.)

Nothing to eat from midnight the night before your procedure.  You may drink sips of water up to two hours before the procedure to relieve dry mouth.

Take your regular medications with sips of water as directed.  (**See exceptions **)

**Diabetic Patients:  Your procedure will be scheduled before noon and you should CONTACT YOUR PRIMARY PHYSICIAN to discuss whether you should take your insulin or not.**

**If you take BLOOD THINNERS such as Coumadin, Plavix, Lovenox, Heparin, Warfarin, Aggrenox, ReoPRo, Persantine, Ticlid, Ecotrin, or Aggrastat, you need to STOP taking it before your procedure according to your medical clearance.**  (Usually 4 to 7 days)

You must have someone to accompany and drive you home.  Please make sure they are available all day.

We will call several days before your procedure to confirm the time of your appointment.  It is sometimes necessary to make changes in the schedule.

Use a cold pack, not heat, to help reduce swelling or pain after your procedure.