I recently went to Clearway's Catonsville location Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 9:00 AM for the first time. It was my first experience as a patient at a pain management clinic and this part of my journey is new. I was impressed with Dr. Rodriguez, as he was straight forward in explaining the rudimentary aspects of my condition. I began noticing symptoms nearly twenty-five years ago and was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease during 2014-2015. It has been a very difficult, painful and distressing time. Fortunately, I found a PCP that actually cares and referred me to pain management. My first impression was fairly good due to the fact that Dr. Rodriguez had that no-nonsense, let's get to the issues attitude, that gets things done, without making me feel like he was rushing through the process. It immediately became obvious that this guy has a lot of experience, confidence and can be trusted.
Now, the downside; I filled out my online registration answering all questions thoroughly. There were multiple forms at the end of the online registration that I signed off on, ie. HIPPA, Opioid Antagonists, Addiction, Permission to share relevant information with other practitioners, etc. All very reasonable. I completed that online registration and submitted it several days prior to my appointment and it sent. Upon arrival Wednesday, March 22, 2023 for my 9:00 AM appointment, I still came early. After filling out a form to describe my current pain levels, locations, etc. and sign off on a couple more things, the receptionist told me that my online registration ''did not go through''.
Now it is after 9:00AM and I had to use Clearway's tablet to register and sign off on all those forms again. When I logged into their system, on their tablet most of my information (from my online registration days prior) was still present. As I frantically went through page after page, a young lady called my name to go back for vitals. When she saw me with the tablet, she almost made me sit back down in the waiting area, but let me finish signing off on all of the dox at the end of the digital registration while walking to the exam room. She appeared irritable and short-tempered as I sat down to get my vitals.
I completed the last two or three signatures feeling very apprehensive as I wondered why anyone working in pain management would have little regard for the physical and psychological conditions patients in need of this kind of care live with constantly. Maybe she has her own issues affecting her interaction with me on that specific day. Afterall, it was my first appointment and I think it wise to ''give benefit of the doubt'' in these situations.
Gratefully, my first impression of Dr. Rodriguez was fantastic and I quickly put the rough patches during reception behind me. I am looking forward to my next appointment at Clearway Pain Solutions with hope that I will begin to get some relief from the chronic pain that has plagued my life and often made me feel less than human. It would be a dream come true if only I could feel free enough to take my grandchildren to the playground, parks, fishing and maybe even play music again without being a miserable wreck due to the chronic pain.