Patient (at her request) asked to go down on fent. patch from 100 mcg to 75 mcg as patient is trying to manage her pain by using alternative non NARCOTIC pain medications, however we noticed she took three four mg. of Hydromorphone three days last week instead of four....hmmm waitttttttttttt,, we got em,, move in,, she also had her last period 2 years ago,, yup.. thats our suspect!!!.
OH PAHLEASEEEEEEEEEE..... go bother someone else, like practice going "green" the directions on fentanyl patch say to flush down the toilet,---hellooooo its not biodigradable...............do your damn homework and leave us alone......
THANKS THAT FELT BETTER,,
AS USUAL KAREN, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US INFORMED, THIS WAS NOT A JOKE TO ANYYYYONE THAT COULD MISS THEIR MEDICATIONS, PLEASE DONT TAKE IT THAT WAY,, WE SUFFER- YET THEY DONT GO AFTER THE REAL STATS,ABUSERS AND STREET THUGS.........Again, i wasnt taking this lightly, it does pertain to me as well, but geeeeeeeeee,, cmon,-go after the mills, and protect the BORDERS, AND I AM NOT TALKING THE BOOK STORE.,, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS GROWING POT, SPEND YOUR TIME AND DIMES ON THAT,, LET US TRY TO GET HEALTHY,, SO WE CAN LIVE NORMAL PRODUCTIVE LIVE'S. GOD HELP ANY OF THESE INSENSITIVE PEOPLE WHO END UP HAVING A LOVE ONE WHO NEEDS THE PAIN MEDS WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THE DAY... AND WORK~~~~~~ GRUNT... LINDA
Thanks again for all your hard work, Karen! I wanted to say the positive before I have a raving rant......
1. Education- I agree that patients need to be better informed but doc's should already be familiar with the data. I believe the new emphasis will create more fear/concerns thus increasing the number of doc's that WILL NOT prescribe appropriately and causing more to stop that currently do.
2. Tracking Costs- looking into the requirements for various certifications, software needs, confirmation of training & security measures, etc. for doctors and pharmacies.... the cost alone would stop me from wanting to continue to prescribe and the electronic prescription requirements are worse. And most folks don't realize that some pharmacies have stopped carrying some drugs due to the "risks". Happened to me!
3. HIPPA violations- yeah, Karen has already covered this area to perfection!
4. DEA & PDMP Data- data mining is already a problem and I see this area as a HUGE risk for abuse by the DEA. A well known & respected doctor in my neck of the woods went through an audit and was rated as having exceeded the standards for monitoring of her patients with chronic pain that received class II narcotics. This didn't stop them from trying to make a case against her as a "pill mill" after a patient committed suicide. Having worked in corporate America for many years, I have seen how data can be used to "prove" a case. I have no doubt, absolutely none, that this information will be abused. And given the number of offices that have closed their doors because of the existing issues, I can see more choosing to change fields rather than operate under a bigger microscope.
5. Medical community & PDMP Data- another area for additional abuse is in emergency situations. I've listed this as a seperate item since I've been discriminated against already by emergency personnel because I take narcotics to control my pain. I had a severe case of strep, started coughing so badly that I kept passing out. Called 911 since I couldn't find any one to take me to the ER on a Saturday night. I was put through hell by the paramedic- accused of doc shopping because most of my meds were filled through a mail order program, was told I passed out because I took too many pain pills, asked what drug I was trying for this time- the list goes on. Also, standard procedures were not followed because he had already decided what my problem was (never check blood sugar levels, asked about other possible medical issues, etc.) Ends up I had double pneumonia. Needless to say, I will never call 911 again. Scary, huh? Now take this possiblity into the ER and how the doctor's that are not trained in pain management may "interpret" the data. I find that even scarier since most hospitals have a policy not to "treat" chronic pain related issues. The paranoia of having the DEA come down on a facility or hospital is growing and this will only feed the fire. Think of the problems that may be missed because the focus is not on the patient!
5. MYSELF- when I moved a few years ago, I had to be "intervieiwed" before the doctor would accept me as a patient. I was shocked and humiliated by the process but had no choice but to tolerate it if I wanted to receive any help. I understand that current problems have created a need for this to protect the doctor & in some ways, the patient. Now, I am TERRIFIED of having to change again when I move in a few years. What will I have to go through then? Will I even be able to find a doctor? Will I be "allowed" enough medication to control my pain? The list goes on. I can truly understand when people say they would rather be dead than have to live with unrelenting pain. I've been there. I never want to get that close again but the fear is there. And it is growing.
Love, Light, & Laughter,
Dana
For Dana, (and my other who sister's who wrote)
I have had the very same expereince in having to change my whole medicinial regiment that had kept me active, kept me able to function.... you get my point.
I had to find a new doctor in a new state, in a new community that was, dare I say, behind times from the larger metropolisis I had lived for 10 yrs. I lived near a large and renoun teaching (medical) universisty.
Now I live in much smaller town with tourism & recreatation supporting the community with medical coming in second. Had we known we may have made a different choice.
Please, please check out the temperture of the next place you are moving to.
Find out what the common way of tx chronic pain is. Had we nown that our new home was going to be so backwards I may have stayed put or at least stayed away from very small towns.
I also will never agree to lessen the doseage of any pain med again. Even if it is feeling physically doable. Never!
The doctors spoiled this trust. I am not allowed to increase my meds as I need albeit still a doseage that is far from what I was taking when I arrived in this community.
I went from 180 mg to just 5 mgs. I was doing great but like we know this disease of chronic pain can wax and wane.
I have been dealing with a flare up of symptoms which include a spike in pain among them.
When I first asked for an increase knowing full well it would be to get me over the hump, help not get into a cycle I could not get out of, I was told no. For months after despite the pain increasing and beginging to errode any sembalance of a normal life dwindling away. Again. I was so angry knowing how hard I'd fought to get back in my saddle again, found I was on a dangerous doseage and allthough for 10 yrs it posed no problems, and I trusted I was not being led down the path of resistance.
HA!
Now it took a complete emotional breakdown due to months of unmanaged pain, (again) to convince my doc who supposedly trusts me to give me 5 mg more, only 15 days out of of the month though. The other 15......well you all know. I don't need to go there.
This is not pain management. I know the normal and healthy response would be to change doctors, right?
But who do I go to? The treating physicians in my town have this sewed up all nice and pretty in a package of a very large building where all the pain management (those that we have, a handful) all treat from. A combined practice. I'm sure if I did a little research I'd find this business is co-owned by the very doctors who are doing the treating.
Makes me wonder where the "Do no harm..." comes in, and if they do not have a different focus than me their patient.
I moved and I have looked for almost two years for a new doctor to manage my pain, and I cannot even get beyond the telephone receptionist. It is a smaller town as previously described. I have to make a long trip to get my pain meds from the teaching center. Recently, my condition has worsened, and my doctor told me that he spent over one hour with insurance co as they denied coverage for an increase. It has been 12 years on same dosage, and I have no life. Never abused. Always use same pharmacy and same doctor for 18 years. I have no hope of finding a new doctor given these new regs. Why can't they target the underground drugs and traffic through our borders. I read and know the statistics that chronic pain patients are not addicted , but they are dependent which is a huge difference. There is already monitoring with the pharmacy, and they have our records. Try and refill an rx a day too soon if you are going to be out of town and see what happens. It frightens me, and I still have pain above 6-7 every day of my life w/ meds because I am so afraid of not being able to get the medication. If any of the people who have written this protocol suffered or had family members in chronic pain, they would /should have never written this. As to education, they are undereducated, as too many of our nation lives in chronic pain. Average time spent in med school is 1 hour -2 hours for chronic pain mgt. and rather than abuse to society, it is abuse to patients. They just have it reversed. I too have had my privacy info stolen and have had to get 4 different credit cards within a 9 month period. My e -med records have been comprised. The dangers are far greater than we can understand. Karen, I'm grateful for your efforts, and I don't know what we are going to do if they continue to spend time trying to punish victims of pain when there is so much rampant crime and illegal activity that needs to be stopped. I shutter to think what will happen in the coming months and years to our quality of life due to this program which did not get the truth about how chronic pain can devastate the patient and family. They don't hesitate to allow other rx that are even worse to continue to be prescribed. Thank you Karen and please keep us updated. I don't know what else to do. I've done all that you have asked, and they have not listened.
I AM SO TIRED OF CONSTANTLY HAVING TO SPEAK UP FOR MYSELF.AND SAYING I HAVE NEVER BEEN ADDICTED TO ANYTHING BUT CIGARETTES.AND I QUIT THEM 6 MONTHS AGO.I WOULD HAVE CUT SOMEONES HAND OFF FOR TAKING MY CIGARETTES AWAY FROM ME.BUT ENDURE PAIN FIRST.WE ALL JUST LAY IN THE BED.BECAUSE WE ARE IN SO MUCH PAIN THERE IS NOT MUCH WE CAN DO.LETS JUST BE HONEST.WE ALL KNOW THAT CHRONIC PAIN SUFFERERS.AFTER 14 YEARS OF IT I AM SO TIRED OF TRYING THIS OR THAT AND ITS NEW AND SIDE EFFECTS.SO PEOPLE GET SO TIRED OF FIGHTING FOR WHAT THEY DESERVE.NOT SOMETHING WRONG THEY ARE DOING.I WISH THESE PEOPLE WHO DID NARCOTICS FOR THE FUNN OF IT WOULD JUST GO AHEAD AND KICK THE BUCKET.THEY ARE NOT IN PAIN.THEY DO IT FOR THE FUN OF IT.I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO PUT ME IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS THEY ARE.LEAVE US ALONE OBAMA.LEAVE US ALONE
I WAS READING OTHER PEOPLES' REPLY AND WANTED TO ADD THAT I HAVE BEEN HAVING A LOT OF PANIC ATTACKS LATELY.DIFFERENT THINGS WRONG WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF MY BODY.MY HEART RATE SHOOTS UP EVERY TIME I HAVE A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.MY FEET ARE HURTIND LIKE THE DICKENS AND NOW I AM SWEATING IT OUT IN MY MIND IS HE GOING TO TELL ME I HAVE DIABETES AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START HACKING MY FEET OFF.YOUR DARN RIGHT I AM SCARED.SEEING ONE DOCTOR I KNOW FOR 20 YEARS MY BLOOD PRESSURE WAS 118/72.I TOOK MYSELF TO CRITICAL CARE FOR MY HEART BEATING SO FAST.IT WAS 202/110. YOUR CALL .HYPERTENSION OR JUST PLAIN SCARED TO DEATH OF LOSING MY FEET.MY PSYCHIATRIST LOWERED MY RX FOR HELP WITH SLEEPING AND PANIC ATTACKS.HE JUST CUT IT IN HALF INSTEAD OF SLOWLY WEANING ME DOWN SOME.AND I AM DEF GOING TO TELL HIM.I HAVE BEEN SEEING YOU FOR 20 YEARS.WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN DO YOU TAKE ALL THOSE MEDS AWAY FROM ME.YOU CAN HAVE A HEART ATTACK EVEN IF IT IS A PANCI ATTACK.WE ARE ALL SCARED OF THAT PHONE CALL FROM THE PHARMACY THAT SAYS WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR DOCTORS CALL BACK.YEAH THAT CALL BACK THAT YOU WAIT OVER THE ENTIRE WEEKEND FOR.THEN WE HAVE TO CALL AGAIN
here we go again-another article on drug abuse!it is a good thing,but makes it that much harder for people like us that have chronic pain who REALLY need them.
i just get angrier with each article like this that i read! i've has CRPS for going on 21 years now & i have NEVER abused my meds.
thank you
debbie
I agree that the government is interfering with the prescriptions for individuals for whom without the necessary pain relief, would not be able to live their lives to the degree that they do now. Because of those who would abuse, the innocent who do not abuse and carefully monitor themselves regarding their pain medication are going to be, if not already, negatively affected. Doctors should be looking at all cases on an individual basis, and be prepared to do what's best for the patient, which I believe is part of their professional ethics code and their professional duty. I hope that if the government insists on meddling in peoples' private affairs, that people will stand up to this unnecessary intrusion with all their might. Perhaps the focus should be on those who are abusing the system, ie doctors who prescribe will nilly and more than likely are taking kickbacks from the pharmaceutical companies, and patients who doctor shop and abuse the system. The people who require legitimately the pain medications should be left alone!
I am on of the millions of people who live in chronic pain. I have severe fibromyalgia and lymphedema in both legs. In Nov. I went to pick up my darvocet to be told it had been taken off the market as well as the darvon I also took. You are supposed to wean off of these pain meds but I wasn't given that option. I barely made it through this last hard winter. Now I read that the other pain medications I now take may be taken away from me as well. What is going to happen to those of us who have no more quality of life. The vet puts your animal down when they have no quality of life. Maybe pain patients should line up to be "put down".
I am a pain management patient and had to fill out yet more forms so they can make my records electronic. I don't understand why I had to fill out the same information that's already in my records again. Plus, it took me almost 30 minutes to fill out the 5 pages of BS they wanted.
I agree that doctors need to know more about what they're prescribing. I can vouch for the fact that many doctors are afraid to prescribe certain meds because they are wary about their abuse and such. Yet, there are people like me who need more than an aspirin to deal with our day to day pain. I was fortunate to be born with a high pain tolerance. However, with that high pain tolerance it has its drawbacks as well. It means when I do feel pain, it takes something strong to knock it out because it's so major. I don't want to have to deal with even more BS just to get the medicine I need to deal with every day. I am thankful for the pain clinic and I have no issue with the drug testing I do each time. I find it humorous that it's a drug test I want to fail so I can continue to get my meds. I just hope that the new rules don't make it harder for me or the doctors to deal with what happens in the future.
I will also admit I'm leary of the whole electronic medical records thing. We've all seen what happened to Sony when someone hacked into their database. I don't want my sensitive medical information being available online to anyone who can get into it. I consider that very private and am not even thrilled that an inspector can check it out. What ever happened to patient privacy? Big Brother is breathing down our neck more and more.
I rely on prescription pain medicine to enable me to live a more normal life. I am taking 10 mg. hydrocodone every four hours for pain, so the government's current plan would seemingly not affect me yet. I still have pain with this amount of pain medication, but it does offer enough relief so I can get through the day more easily. I do plan to take stronger pain medications as my pain increases and the current pain meds won't help anymore, but I wanted to start at the lowest dose of pain relief that would help for now. Still, I worry about when I will require extra pain relief when I need to have surgery, dental work, or must go the hospital emergency room for any condition requiring added pain relief. I have just recently found a doctor willing to treat my chronic pain due to fibromyalgia and several past surgeries. It took me a year to find a doctor willing to help me. The doctors in the area of Missouri I live in are reluctant to provide any type of narcotic pain relief except for short term use. Prior to finding my current doctor, I needed to have several teeth pulled and my teeth were causing a great deal of pain. My regular dentist would only prescribe the lowest dose of Vicodin (5mg) and gave me 20 pills. The same thing happened when I visited the hospital emergency room when I injured my arm. I was prescribed 15 5/500 mg of Vicodin for pain relief. It didn't begin to ease the pain in my arm. That low dosage of hydrocodone does not help, and 15 pills did not last long enough for the problem causing the pain to heal. My son-in-law recently went to the ER for a severely swollen, injured arm and was offered no pain relief. I believe doctors are afraid to prescribe pain medication due to fear of losing their license, government monitoring and interference and the lack of knowledge. Doctors need to be educated on the use of pain medication and also to recognize that pain itself becomes an illness that requires treatment. One doctor told me that I just needed to get used to living in pain and deal with it. I don't believe checking to see if you have recent narcotic use is a good thing because, as I previously stated, there are times when extra pain management is necessary. What really upsets me is that alcoholics, who harm and kill themselves and others on a daily basis, are free to walk into any store at any time and buy more alcohol, even when they are clearly abusing this drug - and alcohol is a drug. I'm not suggesting the ban on sales of alcohol, just pointing out the damage done by the use of it. To fight this abuse, government and television stations began public campaigns on the safe use of drinking and driving. Actually, they haven't done a great job on how to safely drink or on how to recognize if you have a problem, but they have gotten the message out to not drink and drive, and though not everyone follows this advice, many do. So it seems logical that public ads on the proper use of narcotic medications should be introduced to television. I did have my medications stolen twice because I was sure no one would take them. The first time, I assumed I had lost the bottle; but when it happened again I realized how naive and foolishly trusting I had been. Now I don't openly tell people I take pain medication and I keep my pills hidden and out of sight or locked in a small safe. I admit that in the past I did share my pain meds with family or friends who were in pain, and it is hard for me to ignore someone in pain, but I now suggest they see a doctor for pain relief. I admit to doing this to show how seemingly innocent it seems to share your medication with someone who is hurting, and this is one issue that might be addessed in ads on how to safely use and take your medications. I strongly disagree that the goverment needs to be able to freely access personal medical records or a doctor's records. This is government overstepping its bounds and reeks of Big Brother. This government interference, while perhaps well-meaning, is interferring in doctor/patient confidentiality. My best friend recently had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. She was sent home the next day with 5/500 mg. of Vicodin for pain relief. I could hardly believe doctors could be so callous. She is in a great deal of pain, which
is slowing down her recovery. I advised her to contact her regular physician for stronger pain relief. I hurt for her and for others in this position, all caused by the government's efforts to "control" prescription drug abuse. They are doing a wonderful job of terrifying the public, as well as the physicians. I am also terrified for myself. Without pain relief, I will be back to a life of sitting and doing nothing but surviving the day, with little joy, again.
Vickie
WOW!!1 I wish I could copy your post, if you agree. To sent to my Sister, who drinks 1-2boxes of wine a day. But she never misses a chance to 'comment' about my Meds, if front of anyone. If you heard her she makes it sound like I take HANDFULLS every hr. She even has her Cirporacter agree with her, that I'm a 'Drug Addict'. That was so embarrising for her to say in front of many people, at that time I never stood up to her. One reason is she has her husb. & close friends beliving, my Mom & I are just 'White Trash', she has RISIN so far above us & her TERRIBLE CHILDHOOD. I thought why feed the feed the fire, she will SCREAM at me, at the drop of a hat. Like we were getting in her Van, there was a bag, with a diper in it. I opened it & asked if she wanted this in the car? She yelled at me for 15mins. about it, drawing more attention to it, when she just should of put it on her porch. I expected she was was having problems peeing, but never asked & really didn't care. She never misses a chance to SCREAM at me,or put me down in any way. She's 7yrs younger, & had a good childhood, what ever she needed, she got, didn't have to do her Chores...I did them, even when my back screwed up & all I could do was crawl, I had a job from 11:00 to 7 at night, then went to scholl days. Mom would take money from me to buy her things, Mom was also a mover, but 'Pam' didn't have to help on these 3day moves.
She has no idea whats wrong with my back, she doesn't really care. She spent 8 days in the hosp. cause her Liver failed, she tells everyone it was 'Jaunice & she has had it all her life, it just now 'Flared-up' now.
Mom died 12/09, I fell & shattered my L-knee, it never healed right, it would go out on me. I fell again had a rod in my L-arm, got out of the hospital on 11/20. The night the cops broke down Mom's door, she had been laying on the floor 2-3 days, my rod was changed out to a smaller one, after Mom died & cleaning out her Apt. was left to us, durning that time the Dr. changed my Rod to a smaller one. Still 'Pam' excepted me to do it all, she would sit in a rocker with her wine & have things brought to her. She has her Family thinking, she is so sick she can't do much & she doesn't. After packing for 2hrs. I sat down & said how nice it felt, she didn't like that & told me...'We have to get this done, take some pills & get to work', as she has been sitting all day. After packing Mom's Apt. I was exacused, even had to carried in the house. Then she 'Fronted' the money for the 'Creamation' & anothers month rent, which she got back from Mom's account. BUT her story was differen't, she worked so hard, payed for everything, all our Relatives think she 'RAN' everything, her friends wrote me nasty e-mails. Oh & how broken up she was...B.S., the few things I asked for she scooted out of the apt, like my daug. wanted her old robe, Mom didn't have much.
Besides she's so hard to talk to, she forgets what you said, I say her brain is pickled, from drinking all these yrs. I might be a 'Drug Addict' but I remember what I did yesterday, even lst hr. She even took all the pictures, of ppl she doesn't know, that makes me feel bad. Maybe you can answer this question?...Why do ppl hear one side of the story ...that's the story they belive? I have my side, besides she didn't say anything about my arm. One thing she did, I went over there right out of the Hosp. a Man came to pick up some equiment, I just saw him in my room picking up a walker, as I was joking with him 'Pam' was wispering to him that I was drunk, when all I had in front of me was a bottle of water, he called later, asking what was wrong with her, he just saw me 10mins. ago. All the time she was wispering to the Man her Husb. was laughing. Seems I just can't win with a 'DRUNK'. I haven't talked to her in over a yr, the things I say, like ...to shower, my daug. stays in my bedroom, & I use a walker to hang on to. She 'didn't hear about the walker, but says her Husb. sit's on the tolitet, she copys the things I say to make it seem she's worse off then she is.
Sorry so long, but I just don't get it, why does she lye's me about & tells stories about how we grew up? Even making things up, all the Relatives think I am & was the worse person in the world, I even wrote her a letter to her, since she doesn'tt seem to 'hear' what I sy, she changed my words all around, making me out as the 'a**hole', I found most of what she changed on Mom's floor, coppied what I wrote & mailed it to EVERYONE. wHEN MY PARENTS DIVORCED, SHE WAS 4, she doesn't remember much. How Abusive my X-Dad was & everyone felt sorry for her, what about me & my Brother.
Everyone belives I'm a 'Drug addict', but she's still 4 & the sweetist thing in the world. got one card from an Aunt, she got all of them, didn't even tell me who sent any, probly doesn't remember, she drinks so much. One thing she doesn't tell anyone, but a few have mentiond it, so they know. I saw just how EVIL she is, but she was talking to my X-Dad, he's VERY Evil. Mom always said 'Pam' would call him, even though they had a 'falling out' yrs. ago. We stoot up for her saying she wouldn't call him, guess we were wrong.
My back is SCREAMING at me, have to take some meds...what else do I do & lay down some. You know I forgot what your post was about, sorry. I'v been in pain since 8, didn't need any surgeys, 5 vertabrays fused by them self, I also have 'Kyposis' or a Humback. I'v been in pain 24/7 over 45yrs, ya I played the Dr. game, had every treatment they could come up with. NO! I don't omplain much, my back is going to hurt no matter what I do & I do it all, even fixing the car, plumbling, whatever. Mom would just tell me to 'suck it up', so I do. Good Luck. Hugs,Pegi XXOO
Hi Pegi. Of course you can copy and send my reply to your sister, although I doubt she will be receptive to what you want her to understand from reading it. My heart hurt for you when I read your post. I have been in your situation more than you can know. One of the reasons your sister puts you down and points out that you take drugs and are, therefore, an addict, is that she is in denial about her own addiction to alcohol. By pointing out that you take drugs, she is trying to make your situations the same, that is, to say that you are no better than she is and that it is you, not she, that has a problem. This is part of the addicts reasoning to keep them from being responsible for their own behavior. They are great at passing any and all blame to everyone but themselves. She conveniently ignores the fact that you suffer from a great deal of chronic and ongoing pain and have a doctor's prescripton for your medication. She herself is self-medicating with alcohol, and would probably deny that she has a problem or that alcohol is a drug. As for her yelling at you, I can relate to that, too. My oldest son was an alcoholic for many years. Although he is now a gained control of his alcoholism and stopped drinking, he has replace it by abusing prescription drugs. He, too, is in pain, but what he didn't realize is that an addict is an addict and it is a very tough road to try to take your pain meds as prescribed as they
react in the brain in the same way alcohol does. He now uses these pain killers to numb emotioinal pain in the same way he numbed it with alcohol. Although it was one of the most painful and devastating thing I ever had to do, I had to ask him to leave home when he was 19. He is 38 now, and it is hard to watch him destroy his life like this. When he is using or drinking, he is judgmental, says mean things to those closest to him, belittles people and yells (or roars). He lives with my parents, who took him in and saved his life, literally, but they don't deserve his verbal and emotional abuse. My son has been diagnosed as bipolar, but it is impossible to know if he really is bipolar or if years of drinking altered his brain and thinking. I think the same is true for your sister. It may be that she is bipolar and drinks to ease the pain, or that over time her personality has changed due to the drinking. Whichever it is, it is not your fault and it is important that you understand she is acting as she does because of the alcohol and not because of anything you have done. It would be helpful to see if she is bipolar - or just a mean drunk. That's harsh, but alcohol changes people. Alcoholics can also control people with their temper and harsh words. You can kindly but firmly begin to set boundaries as to what you will or will not tolerate
from her, even if it means saying "I love you but can't be around you until you stop drinking and get some help." This is not easily done, I know. You can also calmly stand up for yourself or ask her to leave until she can talk to you in a reasonable manner. Please don't let her actions and demeaning behavior define you. You know the person you are and why you take drugs. There is a great difference between being an addict and being addicted to drugs. Anyong talking pain medicaton will likely become dependent on them. An addict will take more medication than prescribed, go from doctor to doctor for different scripts, buy meds off the street, borrow meds from friends, etc. My family has made me feel self-conscious about my meds, too, but they can't feel or see the pain we experience. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. That must have hurt so much. After my mother-in-law died, my husband and I moved out of our home and into her house to care for my fil. We lived there for two years and rented out our home. My husband was at work most of the time and spent time with his dad at night watching television. All the real work was left to me. Still, we both gave up our home to care for him. While we were caring for him, we had little money. His well-off son in another state offered no financial or hands on help. His other son who lives close by also did nothing to help, but passed on lies to his out-of-state brother about how we were caring for his dad. He also told everyone at church and other nearby relatives. When my fil finally died, the out-of-state brother came and drove off with two truckfuls of his parents belongings.
The other brother not only took what he wanted, but actually broke into the house while we were going, went through my drawers, as well as his parents, and took whatever he wanted. It really hurt. My husband not only lost both his parents, but his brothers as well. Of course, they still maintain we were at fault, but not all people believe him. Those who know us and know his brother who lives near us, have told us they believed we took great care of their father. But the lies and greed still hurt as they were so unfounded. Over the years, I have come to see that the caretaker, the child the who gives up his/her life to take care of an aging parent, has a thankless job. So it is up to them to be proud that they were there for their parent(s) and to know the truth in their heart. What was important is that you were there for your mom, and I believe she knew
which daughter she could count on. Your sister is sick, too, but in a different way. You can try to talk to her or suggest she get help, but you are not responsible for her recovery. That is up to her. She is living in her own world of pain and denial. So for now, when she points out that you are an addict, remember she is trying to justify her own behavior. People aren't blind. They can see who is sober and who is not. You need your pain meds, you have a right to a life without pain, if possible. Living with pain takes a lot or courage and a certain mindset that keeps you trying when you would really just like to curl up in bed and stay there. Be proud of yourself because you are facing your problems and your pain everyday - and there is nothing wrong with taking pain medication to help you do that. Vickie
I absolutely agree with the very valid points you made on security (or lack thereof) concerning who is going to have access to my personal medical information and what will be done with it. Where one hears of daily breaches being made, I think it is imperative that certain confidential information remain just that .. confidential.
I feel that the government is overstepping individual rights in having access to what I am putting in my mouth, especially if it has been perscribed by a licensed physician. In my opinion, it is the prescribing physician that is responsible, should anything go wrong, and absolutely not the government's decision to interfere with in any way.
I'm on 100mcg patchs and get 120 5mg oxycodone a month. I am not supposed to take tylenol because I have hemachromatosis. Which besides getting bled every few months is no problem. I have had my neck fused because of compressions on 6 levels, degenerative disc disease thru my spine and other probs with it, came down with chronic pancreatitis cause I used to drink to kill the pain. I haven't had a drink in about 8 yrs and this started 3 yrs ago. So even with I can get spine under control a lot of times my pancreas has me in about more pain than I can take. Seems like almost every nite no matter what I eat my left side keeps me in agony. Dr I have now actually cut me down. With VA if you get lucky and get a dr you like don't get used to it. Soon as you do you go in and meet a new DR. Don't know what I have to do but this almost to much to stand
As a cronic pain patient, I have rhumatoid arthritis, I had to go 7 months without my pain medication until a pain clinic that I could deal with could make room to accept me as a patient, none of my doctors told me what was going on I have had migrains since I was 15 yrs. old so of course there was opiod use in my background. Doctors need to make sure their poatients mave enough meds to last them until they are accepted into the pain management clinics witch are now completely overun do to this new legislation & until I just read this story this is this 1st. I knew of it. Michelle Weitzmann
I have a chronic illness plus a chronic spinal condition that limits me in all I do. I have been lucky to have opoids to help me lead a normal life. Maybe I'm a rare case; I have never had the desire to abuse them in the 20 years I've been able to have a prescription. I only take one a day, maybe 4-7 days in a month. To take this away from me would mean no travel with my family, no housework, no interaction with people. I would be housebound and in bed.
The government is sticking their nose into our lives again, thinking they know more than I do about what I need. They can't lump us all in one group; assuming we're all raving addicts.
How can we speak for ourselves???
I have a chronic illness plus a chronic spinal condition that limits me in all I do. I have been lucky to have opoids to help me lead a normal life. Maybe I'm a rare case; I have never had the desire to abuse them in the 20 years I've been able to have a prescription. I only take one a day, maybe 4-7 days in a month. To take this away from me would mean no travel with my family, no housework, no interaction with people. I would be housebound and in bed.
The government is sticking their nose into our lives again, thinking they know more than I do about what I need. They can't lump us all in one group; assuming we're all raving addicts.
How can we speak for ourselves???
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I am blown away that there are people who did not know it is illegal to share, give, trade, their Rx drugs. Blown away!
That being said these people are not probably in the drug trade. They may be ignorant of the law which is no excuse but they are not drug traders. At least the majority are not.
That's the problem in a nut shell. Those that our govt want to go after for diverting RX pain meds are not people living in chronic pain. Those that doctors are concerned about are not people who suffer with chronic pain.
Do I think my doctor doesn't know the difference?
No way!
I welcome a look into my medical files, maybe then those with questions about whether I am diverting or trading my meds will see it's not me they are looking for.
Why, when I need these meds would I challenge myself with not having enough to minimize my own pain?
Why would I put a thorn in my doctor's paw over trusting me when I worked so hard to earn that trust? Which brings the question as to why do I have to EARN that trust in the first place?
I'm not buying for one minute that people in chronic pain are part of this problem, Making it even harder for me to get my meds is not going to change our current RX drug abuse problem one iota.
I am being used as a scape goat. My govt knows that if it keeps the people (media) stirred up about any aspect of this alleged drug war it keeps attentions focused away from real problems where our statesmen don't want us looking at.
I find the idea of setting up further "steps" for our medical community to go through in order to provide my meds absurd.
It's more rhetoric that keeps our eyes on anything but what's taking place right in front of us.
And I promise you that those of needing opiates to function is not the big news, not the country's problems.
But I can also promise you that we will be the ones who suffer for the cause.
The DEA. & the Gov. are always breathing down our necks, about the meds we take.
I'm on my way to see my Pain Dr. soon, lets see what happens. I'lll write back tomorrow, as just going to a Dr. appt. takes alot out of me. I have alot to share.
See everyone soon. Wish me Luck, I get the Meds I need. Hugs, Pegi
Re: Pegi,
Know what you mean so well as does every legit person does. Even just the thought of having to ask, request, possibly even beg for medicine makes my skin crawl, tighten my jaws, and set my shoulders for the fight.
Good luck and know that your... ahem... pain is felt by us all.
I just spent a merciful 45 mins from time pf of unusual phone call to my pain doc for increase or something else for spiked levels. I will admit 45 mins is nothing. All day long or even all weekend long are the norm for many. Have been for myself.
The anxiety we go through because we need a certain class of medicines to be able to function albeit not as we once did is wrong.
Who else in the U.S. goes through what we do because of the worry the need will not be met?
It's a frightening quest that sets us up to appear with behaviors considered drug seeking, because I look frightened the doctor will refuse, before we even begin starts the road of distrust if not handled right.
Whose going to set the stage?
How about some education and training for the doctors to learn the difference?
Sorry for the rant, spent the weekend in increased pain because of one med not being allowed because of upcoming procedure. No one thought about this including me until I realized I was in trouble.
I fought going to the E.R> only because I have so far never had to. I wear this as a badge of "I don't seek drugs for the wrong reasons, trust me"
How sick is that?
Instead I spent a weekend in bed, in tears, in more pain than I was able to emotionally handle.
Whose fault is this?
Mine, because I fight so hard to not lose that badge I've worn so proudly for 27 yrs of chronic pain.
I think there is a problem there~
OMG...I feel like you've just described my life!! I often feel like I'm being punished when I try to take a bit less meds only to be told that that will be my new normal dose! That is only one example as many of you are probably aware and have examples of your own.
I have started having anxiety attacks on the day of my pain mgmt appts. I'm lucky though....my primary care doctor manages my care and meds but requires me to see pain mgmt every other year to protect himself from the govt for all the meds he prescribes me. I am also worried that this new govt effort may change his mind in caring for me in the future.
Hang in there everyone...and say an extra prayer or two.
Vickie
Where did you that badge? I want one. This Pain Dr. is the best, I don't remember how I found him. Too my first appt. I brought an arm full of MRI's, Cat Scans, X-rays, reports, I'm going to need a wagon soon. I also learned to keep them, even when the places want them back, some have 'been lost' or their sent to 'Mars' & it takes wks. to get back. He glansed at them. The main thing is...HE BELIVED ME! I didn't get any crap, like...'get a hobby' or one Dr. said, 'Get a Boyfriend', he didn't belittle me at all.
I'v had back pain since I was 8, so over 45yrs. I'm in pain 24/7, the Meds just calm it down, My Mom never let cut me any slack, 'just suck it up'. She moved my Sister & I from Apt. to Apt., 5 trips from Chicago to Ca & back again, her moves took 3 days with a few hrs. of sleep. My Sister 'Pam' help...don't make me laugh, now she's so SICK her Son & Husb. do everything for her...The Brat.
My Dr. doesn't seem to afraid of the DEA, when I shatted my knee he gave 'Oxy', I mentioned how well they worked & I could take 2 a day insted of 'Norco', but he had a 'scared' look on his face, I dropped it, why rock the boat. But I'm getting worried about Liver damage.
I'v been where you have many times, rooling aroud the bed, taking handfuls of OTC meds, which helped for about half an hr. Do you want to tell how many meds you get? I try not too, 'Pam' doesn't miss a chance telling everyone I'm a 'Drug Addict', while she drinks 1 or 2 boxes a day. There are days we have more pain then others, we take more meds, then we run out, CRAP! Are you seeing a Pain Management Dr. or a G.P.? I had an HMO & only saw my g.P. who limited me on 'Vicidion', then he found a P.M. Dr. who would give me Trigger injections, they really didn't help much. ut I was trying to gain his trust. Lost him for a yr. or more, Ins. problems, saw him again & he took over my Meds, still not enough.
Even with what I take, I'm up every night in pain, prowling the house, watching the clock, to see when I can take more. I take them when as the Dr. says.
I won't go into my knee problems, which has caused me to fall & break bones a few times. Can you change Dr's? What do the Dr's think we do with our Meds? We need them so bad, no one else gets them.
Sorry my back is SCREAMING at me, let me read your post again, I might come up with more things. Sorry. Good Luck Love ya,Pegi XXOO
Hi Pegi. You can get Norco without Tylenol in it and add Tylenol as you want - or don't want. I agree Norco isn't strong enough for chronic pain that is ongoing and severe. I am going to ask for Percocet soon. If your doctor won't prescribe Percocet, I woud look around for another doctor. I used the Internet to help me finally find a doctor who would help me that I could afford. I'm saving drugs like Oxicontin for a last step when all lesser pain meds no longer work. I have heard the pain patches that last for three days work the best and don't leave you feeling doped up as the drug is introduced into your system over a period of time. For now, I'm content with using Norco, but it doesn't always help with all the pain I experience on a daily basis. One thing that is comforting is that there are people who do understand and sympathize with you. You deserve a life that is livable and enjoyable. Vickie K.