Written by
Dr. Lasich,
A most interesting article.
I am a recovering alcoholic who has had chronic pain for a number of years.
I went to my first surgeon approx. 9 mos.after my 2nd spinal fusion w/ excrutiating pain radiating throughout lower extremities. At that time I was not on any medication. Well, he did an an x--ray, said my fusion was intact and sent me on my way with a 'have a nice day'. After a miserable 6 mos. I went to another surgeon at another hospital who explained the only way to tell the integrity of a spinal fusion was a ct/mylogram, which he ordered. I had a broken fusion. I also obtained dictation notes from the first Dr. that read Kerri was here today complaining of pain(I was around 7 years sober at time) I would not want to contribute to her possibly picking up a drink by prescribing medicine for her and believe she was drug seeking.
Upon finding my proper diagnosis I promptly wrote my former surgeon.
Sobriety and opiate taking are not something I entered into lightly. Having to be honest with myself as well as my doctors is a constant. I didn't start on medication until after my last 2 surgeries after I was 10+ years sober and still feel I'm looked at and perhaps treated differently as person in recovery.
One of my consulting doctors works solely for a hospice now and feels strongly that laws need to be changed at the federal level to afford chronic pain patients all that hospice offers. He sees me at home under an appelative care consult and then reports to my primary. I saw him last week for the first time in 1.5 years to change meds.
I can share from my own experience that I have been blessed in that through continuing to work my recovery program, being honest with doctors, sober friends, and family, I have never abused my medication nor have I had a drink.
To thine own self be true.
Thank you for your words and shedding light.
Kerri
I am deeply impressed with your open honesty and willingness to share your story. Many recovering addicts do deserve a chance. However, there are not many doctors willing or able to give that chance. Hospice doctors are some of the most compassionate and bravest of them all. Lucky for you that you found one who can help you live. Ultimately, pain management is all about letting someone live in comfort however long or short the time may be.
"There is a peace inside your soul. Let it be your friend. It will help you carry on in the end..."----Creed (a rock band)
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
Kerri,
What a brave, honest soul you are. Good for you for persevering. I personally found I had to stopped telling Doctors about my addiction issues. It didn't matter either way. They are still not willing to help me after 10 years of chronic pain. I have had 4 neck and 3 low back surgeries and am still in pain. It has been 2 years since I have been to see a Doctor or a pain clinic because I didn't want to go through all of it again. But I have come to the end of my rope. I just can't deal with the pain anymore. But today, the Doctor didn't let me down! Of course there is degeneration and bone spurs, but nothing a good ole facet joint injection won't fix! He didn't want to hear about the headache I have had for 2 months or the muscle spasms that just won't quit even with massage and acupuncture. Just send me on my way and lets wait for that magical shot!
I am so sorry to go off like that. I really needed to get that off my chest. Your story was so inspirational and really caught my eye, so I am going to keep that the part I hold on to! I hope you have continued success!
Lisa
Ahh Lisa,
I soo get where you're coming from.
Alone I am not so brave, it's a community such as this that inspires me as well.
Only two weeks ago I was again at the end of my rope. Having been seen at home as my primary requested by the pain Dr., then it took her over a week to look at his report. Then she wrote the breakthrough meds for less mg. than what he instructed.
This site I found out of fristration and it gave me the courage to fight/ become an advocate again for myself.
I/you are not less than, if you are an alcoholic/addict. You too deserve care and compassion.
Please contact me if you'd like. I would be more than happy to commiserate then assist in any way possible to find a solution. Like my consult Dr. says, It's all here in black and white.The ct's x-rays and so do not lie.
Thinking of you.
Light and Life,
Kerri
I have had four back and two failed sacro-iliac surgeries. At the worst times I suffer from true what feels like "bone on bone" pain. Recently I realized after being on a long acting opiate for a few years that my body seemed to need more and more and found that I was actually using my breakthrough meds for withdrawal symptoms rather than true break through pain. While under a physicians care, I have decided to wean myself off this medicine so that I can truly see if my original pain is still as bad and then re-assess. I'm going great with the taper until today when what I feared most, the return of that unbearable bone chilling bone on bone pain that kills me silently with each step. I returned to my MD who very firmly stated that NO, we will never, never use any narcotics again. He started me on what I thinkis a long acting NSAID, Mobic. But now I'm scared. My orthopedist calls me a salvage case and am inoperable except in a neurological emergency so there's no point going there. I do not qualify for the spinal implant due to the type of pain I have. What in the world will happen when I can't take that bone on bone pain? No way would I ever, ever give up but I just don't want a life of homebound suffering and making everyone around me miserable as well. My condition is considered degenerative so I know worse is possible. I just need to know where in the world do I go for help? Are there any alternative treatments?
Failed Back Syndrome is a difficult problem to tackle. Surgery is usually out of the question. Some people are turning to Spinal Cord Stimulation for a Failed Back. Others would say just to take your medicine because of the risks inherent with an implant. But whatever you do... DO NOT let a doctor put you on a NSAID (anti-inflammatory) and throw their hands in the air. That will leave you with a big chance of burning a whole in your stomach (stomach ulcer). NSAID's are not safe for long term pain control. Find a doctor who can do better than that (probably not a surgeon).
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
I have chronic pain and have been unable to get any help at low-income clinics (I am uninsured, low-wage earner). From what I can tell these clinics are full of drug addicts/recovering addicts and the doctors here will not even discuss pain med's with me. I am 43 and can't even work an 8 hour day anymore. How sad!!! Now the stress of being in pain and not being able to get help is causing emotional/mental problems. Thank god I was responsible enough NOT to have kids (I am single and poor)- I wouldn't be around to see them grow up!!
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In response to your sad and [degrading] article on the group of folks that are the most shuned and misunderstood, I do have to say that it appears that people are more worried about the goverment regulations.....the DEA laws...people getting addicted /readdicted etc., then they are with trying to help the patients. At least here in New England ! When more people think up new laws and controls...the cost go up...the overhead goes up just to ensure compliance, then the M.D.'s are afraid to treat the patients properly.
I Know I will get Booed and probably shuned for saying this but I feel one of the Biggest mistakes the goverment made was to make Suicide and Assisted Suicide Illegal. They have taken away a very real fundamental right that should be our decision to make when we have had ENOUGH.
I am pretty sure that several would have chosen this option if there was not such a stigma attached to it. If people only knew how some REALLY suffer because they are not being treated, they might understand.
It really is too bad that we have come to the place we have.....in this day and time !!!!
This might take the burden off Double the Trouble.
Yes, I belong in your camp also. What a biased, degrading, insensitive viewpoint!!! I thought mental illnesses were being compared to heart conditions & diabets these days. I have a mental illness, I do not cut myself, I am a smart person who holds a degree in Mental Health & Human Services and I was a nurse for 14 years. Not easy degrees to obtain, maybe whoever wrote that article has very little education because it certainly sounded as if they have a very small mind--read redneck ignorance.
I was dx'ed with fibromyalgia for many years only to find out that I actually had lyme disease and had tested positive for lyme disease for 5 years but was ignored by the drs and told I needed to admit myself to pysch ward as I told the Doc I could no longer stand the pain and felt I must be dying (bone cancer?) This was spun into a story that I was suicidal when in fact I am terrified of death and do not want to be buried in a cold lonely grave nor burned into ashes to be spread about. What a joke the heath care system has been for those living with the curse of chronic pain. I am no longer afraid to speak my mind; they can't hurt me any more than they have already--read medical negligence & malpractice!!! I am in the process of attorney hunting & interviewing the incompetent fools. I was stupid to entrust my health, my gut feeling was that I was being treated differently due to the mental illness dx. That my friend is DISCRIMANATION. I truely believe I would have been better off with eastern medicine or some other old indian methods used to heal people. All I needed were simple antibiotics but never got; now I have severe joint pain, my eyes are both diseased (iritis), and the cartilage between most of my joints has been eaten away by the lyme bacteria, by the way, is very similar to the syphilis bacteria that eats your brain away, check it out if you don't believe me, Al Capone died of syphilis in prision.
I'm sorry for the confusion and struggles you have gone through and I do hope that by you speaking up loud and clear for yourself that you receive the treatment that you need and deserve.
I would like to clarify my previous comment though: my intention was my point of view about the message and the state of health care in this country. I had no intent to '' shoot the messenger". Dr. Christina Lasich has been a great help to me on many occasions with her helpful and very honest posts. She is probably one of the most honest doctors I have come across in a very long time, that is why I respect her thoughts and openness with us. There are not many that listen to our opinions without judging us and still continue to try to help us whenever they can.
Again I wish you well in your treatments!!
My intent was to point out some very difficult issues that I struggle with every week in an effort to give the right treatment, to the right people, at the right time, without doing any harm. I do not claim to have all the answers or to know how to fix everything. Sometimes all I can do is to be a strong, silent listener. I am listening and I hear you.
Dr. Christina Lasich, MD
Thank You