Patient education GI procedure

Dear Mr. Carter,

Thank you for coming to see me. We discussed your ongoing back pain and feelings of low mood, and I want to provide you with a summary of our plan moving forward.

Here are the key points we discussed:

- Your back pain is likely due to mild wear and tear in your lower back, as shown in your MRI. While it doesn't require surgery, it can still cause discomfort.
- Your mood has been affected, and your score on a mood questionnaire suggests moderate to severe depression. This is something we can work on together.

Here is the plan we agreed upon:

1. Start taking a low dose of a medication called duloxetine. This can help with both your mood and the nerve-related pain in your back. We'll start with a small dose and adjust as needed.
2. Continue with physical therapy to help manage your back pain. This is an important part of your recovery.
3. I will refer you to our behavioral health team for therapy. This can help you manage both the pain and the feelings of low mood.
4. We may add a short-term muscle relaxant if needed to help with your back pain.
5. We will check in more frequently, every 2–3 weeks, to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments.

Please remember, you are not alone in this. We are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me at xxx@xxx.xxx.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Samuel Lin
Regional Medical Center