Dr. Alexander Francini
Pain Management
Coarsegold, CA
33 years experience male
About
Bio
I am a California product having been at UC Berkeley as an undergrad; UC Irvine for medical school; and UC Davis for my residency.
My training is in Rehabilitation Medicine with subspecialty in Pain. I also have extensive occupational medicine experience.
I have had practices in both the inpatient and outpatient setting.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Pain Management
Licenses
United States: California
Doctor Q&A
41 Answers
0 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 32-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
25% per week.: You are not on a high does so reducing 25mg per week each week for three weeks would do well.
Then alternate 25mg per day every other day for the n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Cause: It can irritate the stomach. It is not known for helping nausea.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 43-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
See a pain doctor: very difficult.
good nutrition (D and B vitamins)
tylenol, NSAIDS
neurontin, lyrica, topamax
cymbalta, savella, (milnacipran)
topical lidocaine, capsa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
It is possible: Back pain and myalgia are reported side effects of Cipro (ciprofloxacin).
Contact your prescribing doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Yes: cigars are wrapped in cigar leaves. If i understand your question the answer is yes.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Disulfide?: do you mean a medication?
no disulfide in codeine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Not likely: An additional dose is not a problem. Go back to your regular schedule and things should be fine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Likely: go to your surgeon and have him evaluate you. He might consider a physical therapy evaluation with some monitored exercise to get you on track.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Probably: during pregnancy the placenta releases Relaxin that loosens ligaments in preparation for delivery. You likely have mild osteitis pubis. Be sure to t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Likely muscle strain: There was no apparent trauma so its reasonable to believe you're having a spasm in the back. Ice it, not heat, 20 minutes every 2 hours for 3-4days. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
It can change.: Rhumatoid arthritis may be seronagative and with time convert to seropositive. If you believe you have RA there are other tests to administer like an... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Bladder infection: I am glad to hear you are practicing safe sex.
Sometimes due to the physical forces with intercourse women can be predisposed to getting an infection... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Not likely: when there is friction between to areas of skin you can develop a "skin tag". they are common at the neck, arm pit, groin, and under the breast (part... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Change Medications: There is a 20% tremor side effect with your medication.
Talk with your treating doctor about alternatives.
If the tremors predate the medication seek... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Depends on test.: There will be no alcohol in the urine but there will be Ethyl glucuronide.
Alcohol test is for testing active drinking or being drunk.
Ethyl glucuro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
No effect on RA: Lyrica (pregabalin) is used for pain of neurogenic origin. If you are having pain then it might help with that pain.
It has no affect on the disease.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 68-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Lungs start to work: one of the side effects of smoking is poor clearance of mucus from the respiratory system.
Many long time smokers who quit (the right thing to do) wil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Seems normal: everyone has different connective tissue. Some is firm and some is soft. You have lumpy bumby which is common also. So long as the soft tissue does... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 56-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
A little.: To be safe do not take more than 6 total pills a day.
The issue is the acetaminophen in the pills. You should stay below 3 gms to be very safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
8 hours: The longer the better. The norm is nothing after midnight for a procedures, so 6:30 am for 230 pm should work but the goal is an empty stomach. So i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Tylenol (acetaminophen): It is a far more complicated answer than that. Where are the headaches, how often, are they associated with any sensations or triggers?
But if they ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Mild yes.: 10-20% per week is recommended and when at 20 % of original dose 10% per week.
you will feel something like withdrawl but should be OK. keep in touc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
It will be safe.: If you don't have symptoms now the force of labor would not likely be and issue.
Certainly if you have great concern speak to the physician who diagn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Need syncope workup: Get to a cardiologist or neurologist.
You need to be sure there is no danger to herself or others. is it a seizure, or a heart problem?
Very unlike... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Probably will pass: Do not take Meth.
Seek out help if you need it.
The drug is dangerous.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
May need formal eval: numbness in the lateral shoulder could be upper cervical or peripheral Axillary nerve dysfunction.
If there is no associated weakness it is not an e... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Picture would help: If the hive spots are small bubbles/blisters it is possible they are related. That history could be a herpes outbreak. The pain is nerve root mediat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Can't hurt to try.: Cupping is a long used treatment. Although it has theoretical benefits for pain it has not been studied for dystonia . It won't hurt to try.
A ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
No: Assuming you have not had an opiate since 33wks and you deliver around 40 wks it should be negative and no withdrawal possibility by your baby.
If yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 76-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Yes: no effect on adrenal axis. it is safe.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
With caution yes: any time opiates given to a pregnant woman the benefit to the mother must outweigh the risk to the baby.
There is no reason to believe it will hurt th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 67-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
See a Physiatrist: Get a full exam. Get x rays. Have strength and reflexes evaluated. Consider a spinal reason for the falls. Get some physical therapy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Yes: dilatation of the bowel wall can cause pain that is generalized at the spinal cord level and is interpreted as back pain by your brain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Won't work: Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxer and not for treating pain.
You need a diagnosis. You likely need physical therapy. You should stay away ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Not recomended: naproxen and celebrex are both NSAIDS and in general we do not recommend they be taken simultaneously. they are of different classes but two NSAIDS to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Internal hemorrhoid: You are young and should go get an evaluation. The good news is that bright red blood is often internal hemorrhoid.
Go see gastroenterology soon!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
See vascular surgeon: If your arm is dark purple it is cyanotic. It is depleted of oxygen and should have a prompt evaluation. I would think it is already serious.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Yes: no issue if you have not been drinking.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 61-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
No: As a result of having Shingles you have boosted your immunity. It is less likely at this time you will ever have it again.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
Likely yes.: The area of the AC fossa is sensitive. The needle positioning might have caused a contusion and is evidenced by the bruising. The bruising alone can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:

Dr. Alexander Francinianswered
Pain Management 33 years experience
For a short time: It is not clear what you are treating. You mention 2 pain killers but only give one name so the question is too open ended.
Buplex is safe for a coup... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
1.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
26
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Thank you very much. I'm high risk and on bed rest and was very worried, my doc said no but I just wanted to get a second opinion! Thanks so much!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you. The pain was getting worse so I did go to the doctor. Turns out it's shingles.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! It stopped and hasn't returned thank you
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
UC Irvine School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1990MD
Residency
MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Completed 2012
Residency
MEMORIAL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Completed 2015
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