jewelbug38

Thanks so much for your support! Your response was helpful. I have many family members who have had drug problems and a son who died from one. While hospitalized in Jan. and Feb., a pain management doctor visited me as I had been up all night in pain. He told me with all the things I had going on in my body I had to move up to a higher med, Norco, for help with the pain. It frightens me because I know too much about addiction to feel comfortable. No, I haven't joined a group, though I do notice many fibromyalgia meetings in this area. I am tired and have gone through lots of stress lately, such as losing my dear son. It's good to have gotten input. If anyone else out there has any comments, please contact me. My family doctor is very concerned because of the condition of my kidneys in my taking over 40 Norco a month. I explained to him that is less than the pain management doctor would prescribe, and that is one of my major concerns, too. Having never seen a pain management doctor before then, I would like input from those who have. I almost lost a kidney in January. I am truly uncomfortable with what to do next. Thanks so much!

Hi Annie-it's Jackie again. I take 90 hydrocodone 10/650  at 3 per day and have for over 5 years under the very watchful eye of a board certified pain management specialist. Trust me they are monitored stronger than any other doctors! Even if you took all your meds in a week and called with any excuse from theft to they fell down the drain, that doctor will NOT give you any more until the next month! They are trained to nkow the signs of addictions and will immediately refer you to detox-which means their referal forces your insurance company to pay wether it's normally covered or not! The foot ball player made a good point as well-when we take pain meds, we all tend to feel "odd". We hope we are not percieved as drug addicts or weak. We are none of the above-we are simply people who have medical conditions that include chronic, severe pain. He didn't ask for the hit that put him in this place and I didn't ask for two failed hip replacements-at age 33 noless! You didn't ask for your ailments. Just be glad we have doctors who will care for us in this crucial area. Please, please get to the pain management specialist! Also, I am so very truly sorry for the loss of your beloved son! No one should have to go through that, dear! Please do write me and we can talk all you like-I won't opine, I'll just listen. JTJrFan8@aol.com

I am so sorry to hear of all of your troubles. Yes, you are too young to have to deal with all of your problems. Thanks for the advice. I have tried to weather the pain under the care of PCP doctors for years, but as I get older and find myself hurting in more places than ever, I think I need to heed your advice. I have known several who have gone to pain management specialists and have had good success! I appreciate you taking the time to encourage me in the midst of your problems. Thanks too for the condolences, I have beautiful memories and three of his beautiful children to keep me from sinking into depression and despair, but I have had my moments. I hope you feel better soon and have some good days ahead. You deserve them!

I am so sorry to hear of all of your troubles. Yes, you are too young to have to deal with all of your problems. Thanks for the advice. I have tried to weather the pain under the care of PCP doctors for years, but as I get older and find myself hurting in more places than ever, I think I need to heed your advice. I have known several who have gone to pain management specialists and have had good success! I appreciate you taking the time to encourage me in the midst of your problems. Thanks too for the condolences, I have beautiful memories and three of his beautiful children to keep me from sinking into depression and despair, but I have had my moments. I hope you feel better soon and have some good days ahead. You deserve them!

What a horrible time you have been through! I'm sure you do need the medication to get through a day! I am so sorry for your situation. I have a son who was in a terrible accident in which 2 people were killed and 3 in ICU for a long time, including him. He needs a pain management doctor, too. He has several compressed discs. I guess I've always felt that so many others were in such worse shape than me that I could do without a lot of medicine. Now I am learning that I need help and am seeking it! Thanks to you and all the others who have written such encouraging emails. Yes, the family doctors and pharmacists do treat you in a way that make you feel that you are an addict. That's been hard for me to overcome, and it's taken me a long time to stand up for myself and deal with the doctor, the PCP. I find the pain management doctor who told me plainly with all my problems I was not getting nearly enough medicine. I want to become a stronger advocate for myself. I'm hesitant and don't want them to think I'm begging for meds, because of the snide looks they give you even though they diagnose your problems. My PCP and I finally had a clear understanding, and he increased my meds. Thanks for your concern and testimony!

Thank you a lot for your advice! Yes, I have had medications stolen from me before and have taken efforts to see that hopefully that never happens again! I had several people in my family with drug problems who I have caught in the act. It is very good advice. No, I won't tell the kind of meds I have been changed to but do thank you so much for the advice. We have the opportunity with Medicare age approaching to have mail order meds delivered, but have absolutely said no because I know there are people out there who watch for this kind of thing. Your advice is right on and I do appreciate it! Thanks for checking in and caring. I sure hope you get more good days ahead than bad! God Bless!

Thank you so much for the advice.  I will certainly check into it! I'm glad you have had such good results. This sounds almost too good to be true, but I do take you at your word. Thanks so much for the sound advice!  Good luck!

Yes, it does sound like we have similar health histories in many ways. I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are having. I have had a history of kidney stones, have had them surgically removed and had several lithotripsy procedures, and am looking at another next month. Yes, the whole process has become bewildering , from the migraines, to the kidney stones, to the whole pain cycle for it all. One thing seems to cause another. Thanks for all the info you gave me, I'll consider it all and keep it in mind. Right now I am in a bad fibro cycle.  Please accept my thanks for your help and advice about everything. I appreciate it so much! I sure hope you feel better soon. These kidney stones are very painful. Not to speak of everything else that cause the pain cycle to go into overtime. Good luck to you in the future!

I am so sorry you are going through so much pain. Saying that, I've not had the Lumbar Facet injection. I can offer no advice, I do hope you get good advice from the good people here. I hate the nerve blocks didn't work longer. My best wishes for your future. Here's to many pain free days ahead. Please keep me posted on how you come out as after surgery for kidney stones, they are going to be testing my back as I will receive Medicare. The insurance problem has been a torturous test of faith. Then my sorrows diminish when compared to so many others hurting, such as yourself. People do care about other people. I've learned that on this site. Please take care and post when you feel able, it really helps those like myself to get a  better perspective. Thanks!

Hi Annie:

You are certainly in my prayers!  In 2002 we lost our insurance and our jobs.  For two years we like most Americans had to go to free clinics and trust me, I never thought I would have made it through those trials!  These are difficult times for all of us, but God does answer prayers! 

Pain in any area of the body causes stress, and at this point I am working with a pain specialist who is a God fearing man.  I'm three weeks behind in seeing him because I am taking care of my mother who is ill.  So, had to take some time away from myself and put all my energy in taking care of her.  My brother is doing his 3rd term in the military and I truly pray for all our soldiers to come home. 

I am managing my pain with meds and some days are good and others not so good.  But I focus on other things which reduces the pain more than anything.  I have members of my church praying for me, and my husband takes care of all the household responsibilities (GOD BLESS HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT).

This website is an encouragement for anyone who is suffering from severe or chornic pain!  Doctors do their best but there really is nothing we can do but take medication.

You stay in prayer and as my Pastor would say, "I pray for you, you pray for me" and together we will make it.

God Bless in Keep you in His care! And He will do it!

Sharon

Sharon, thanks for your note. I agree you do have a lot of doubts as you go on in life suffering because you don't have the money or the abitlity to find good medical assisstance from the medical community. I have surely been blessed, I feel, to have finally made it to securing Medicare and having the ability to wake up in the morning and realize if I truly need medical help, I can actually call a clinic and see a doctor. When I had insurance, I think it never dawned on me how very sad it was that so many were uninsured. We need to keep those people in our prayers as some will never attain that goal.

It is truly from a grateful heart that I give my thanks to God for seeing me through this far. He has been there in the family losses, in the hours of suffering, in helping me attain samples from my doctors, in granting me charity in January and February of this year! Thanks so much for your encouragement. May you continue to be blessed, and let me say that husband of yours sounds fantastic. I have one who has COPD but doesn't have much pain at all, thank God! He helps me out in so many ways I couldn't list them. But, I am very happy he is on my side. If you are like me, and I feel you are, you continually give thanks for him. They hate to see us in pain. I'll pray for your health and your husband's ability to help, and you please remember us. We may never know each other, but we can always give online support.

Have not had a good week, hope yours is better, may everything go well with you.  Take care and will share more later on. Stress is such a common way among pain sufferers. It does cause such pain. Hope to find you  better soon! 

Like my husband say's everyday to all types of people that he meets, WE ARE TO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!  Even though things may seem like there too much for us to bear we must put our trust in HIM and not in THEM!

We will continue in prayer one for another and God will see us through these storms. It's truly going to be a test of FAITH.  Be encouraged we will make it!

God Bless and Keep your Family!  I'll pray for you and you pray for me!

Sharon

Thanks Sharon! To you and your husband. Had some news Monday that is different...posted it on my site. Keep us in your prayers, please. My husband and I thank you! God bless you both! May your days ahead be blessed and may God watch over and keep you.   Keep the faith and we will pray for you, too! Annie

Thanks Sharon! To you and your husband. Had some news Monday that is different...posted it on my site. Keep us in your prayers, please. My husband and I thank you! God bless you both! May your days ahead be blessed and may God watch over and keep you.   Keep the faith and we will pray for you, too! Annie

Thanks Annie:

I have been praying for this world.  It seems that so many people are in distress, and it is overwhelming.  My sister and I went for shots at the arthritis doctors office yesterday.  As we were watching the news, it was truly sad to see the news anchor Tim Rursett have a heart attack at age 58.

We me differ in our views about who is right or wrong for the leadership of our country; however, this is a time to come together and pray, pray, pray for this world.  Our children are dealing with a great deal of pressure and we are taking care of our parents.  So, we are seeking God to help, like never before.

Tomarrow is Father's Day, and this will be the first year without mine.  And I'm not yet over him.  So, I'm truly tearful about his demise. He's in a better place and know I must take care of my mother. 

So, you have a blessed day, you and your family and never ever will we forget our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered for this entire world.  Nothing compares to what He had to endure for me and you. It's a wake call for these nations to END THIS HOLY WAR!!!! My brother who has served three terms and other soldiers like him NEED TO COME HOME NOW.   No disrespect to anyone, but it's time!

God Bless and Keep you in His loving arms.

Sharon