Going for a Morphine Pump Trial

PLEASE don't feel sad for me!  There are so many others in so much more bad shape than me...just like you.  Here I only have one disc to deal with and you have 2 in your neck and 4 in your lower back!!!  You definitely need to go to a different doctor!!!  I also got a second opinion in regard to the spinal fusion.  That second opinion wanted to do it the old fashion way:  taking the bone from my hip and wearing a brace for 3 months.  My doctor here in WV does it the new way: using titatium rods and screws because I would have had more pain with my hip taking bone from that area.  He told me that there would be a risk of the fusion not taking hold if I did it that way as well. 

 

I can't imagine the pain you are dealing with.  Surely you will find the right doctor soon.  Good luck and you will be in my thoughts and prayers as well.

 

Jo

reply

ah thank you so much , i am crying right now i am 47 single mom with a 13 year old daughter , on disability but still have to work only 2 nights , cause they dont pay enough for my bills , i am aloud to make so much money and cant even come close to what i am allowed worked since i was 15 waitresssed for 8 years and been a hairstylist for 24 years now , my family dont understand , my mother has a hold on me cause she is the one that takes my daughter to her dance lessons and they live a half a mile from me , she even called my pain doctor 4 years ago and said she didnt think i needed pain med cause it was bad to take ,and he never asks how i am doing been going to him for 6 years and i see everyone that goes to him is still suffering , but it is hard to find a pain doctor around here,     i have been thru hell and back with gallbladder surgery hysterectomy birth trauma with my daughter, then got  graves disease had to have radiation and ended up in hospital half dead from it . i blame alot on thyroid i am on synthriod for life ... let me know how you are doing ok , god bless you,p.s. are you on any thyroid medicine???  or did you have any injuries to your spine? , i also was thrown off my horse when i was 12 i had him for 10 years and was in a car accident, and they say i have fibromyagia was you told that too??
reply

That is so unfair that your family doesn't understand what you are going through.  At least you have this forum to vent and get support. I have tremendous support from my husband which I will forever be greatful.  With even that though, he will never fully understand what I go through each day.  I know that my body must have this medication.  Yours needs it too and how dare your mother call your doctor and say that you don't need it.  I don't mean to sound disrespectful but until someone else spends a day in our shoes, they don't have the right to do something like that.

 

No, I am not on any thyroid medication thank goodness. 

 

I knew that I had a bulging disc and I think that my initial injury came from horse playing with my boys.  The oldest's one's knee rammed into my back.  You have so much more to deal with than me.  That's why I chose my name to be "SoBlest" (so blessed)...  ( I have messed something up though because my real first name is appearing, which is "Jo".  I have to find out how to fix that!!) 

 

Anyway, let me know when you find a new doctor and hopefully you will get on the right track Cynthia.  I thought of you in church today and kept you close in my prayers .

 

SoBlest in WV

reply

HELLO ,THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH ,  THAT IS TRUE LOVE , THAT YOUR HUSBAND STANDS BY YOUR SIDE., PLEASE PRAY FOR ME, FOR I AM PRAYING FOR YOU , MY PAIN DOCTOR  IS NOT TO NICE TO ME, SO I THINK I WILL TRY TO FIND ONE SOON , I AM SO BURNED OUT , I WISHED I HAD A HUSBAND , I NEVER MARRIED MY DAUGHTERS FATHER WAS WITH HIM FOR 20 YEARS AT AGE 19 STARTED TO DATE HIM , BUT MET HIM AT AGE 12 AND IT WAS PUPPY LOVE , BUT I KNOW GOD HAS A PLAN FOR WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT FOR ME. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE IF YOU DO GET THE PAIN PUMP..  WISHING YOU A GREAT WEEK, YOUR FRIEND CYNTHIA
reply

Hello Cynthia

It's nice to meet you and welcome to the CpConnection.

sounds like you have a great deal to overcome with pain too.  I sure hope your doc did not listen to your mom.  Boy, I would sure be upset!

 

Take Care, hope to see you around

Betty

reply

HI BETTY BOOP TOO , THAT IS SO SWEET OF YOU ,THAT WAS IN 2004 WHEN THIS HAPPENED , BUT SINCE THEN I FEEL THE PAIN DOC DOES NOT  TAKE TIME FOR ME , AS I SEE THE SAME FOR OTHER PATIENTS , I SHOULD HAVE FOUND ANOTHER A LONG TIME AGO HAVE BEEN GOING  TO HIM FOR 6 YEARS , ONLY TO LEAVE HIS OFFICE CRYING ,, I AM LOOKING FOR ANOTHER DOC ,  PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU BETTY, YOUR FRIEND , CYNTHIA
reply

Cynthia

Well, I'm sure your anger has probably subsided by now.  Our families just dont understand whats going on and some deal with it worse then others.

I hope your able to find a new PM doc that suits your needs and you feel comfortable and listened to.  It's really tough trying to find a new doc sometimes and hopefully you'll not have to see a dozen before you find the right one.

Take Care and good to see you again today

Betty

reply

Hello Betty,

Thank you for your sweet reply.  I just read your profile as well and saw how important your faith and church is to you.  It is to me as well.  I am remarried and God is the foundation of our marriage.  It wasn't with my husband and that is why I picked "SoBlest" for my name on this site.  In addition, I could be so worse off.  I hope that you do return to work soon.  When I had my psych eval for the pump, the psychologist was utterly amazed at how I was coping with the pain and how I was able to work.  I wasn't amazed because you and I both know that through God, anything can happen.  I have prayed for healing but I just don't think that's God's plan for me until I receive my heavenly body with Him. 

 

When reading your post, I was so touched by how you said that one of your children "lives with God".  I am so sorry for your loss but know that your child is in God's glory.

 

Thank you for your reply and look forward to talking with you again.

 

SoBlest

reply

SoBlest

 

Thank you very much for your reply, your very kind!

I unfortunately have just excepted his will in all of this and know I'll not be returning to work.  I do spend a couple afternoons a week with my elderly lady friend.  She's my only job, or I think she's helping me far more than I help her.  She's helped to give me some purpose with all the time I have on my hads right now, while I wait for disability to approve me.  I actually was denied once from my phyc eval for SSDI, the evaluator said that although I'm in a tremendous amount of pain and it's very obvious in my bodily actions, speach & face. I'm a woman of great faith and have excepted my illness without severe depression or any mental instability.  I pray alot............ But I know it will all be alright and hopefully one day I can see my other son again too.

Have a good night

Christs' Peace

Betty

reply

HELLO DONT GIVE UP ON DISABILITY THEY ALWAYS MAKE A PERSON WAIT,  UNTILL THEY ATRE IN DEBT WITH ALL OF OUR BILLS , I HAD TO GET A LAWYER FOR MY CASE CAUSE I KNEW I WOULD HAVE BEEN DENIED IF I DIDNT, I WILL PRAY FOR YOU THAT THEY WILL GIVE IT TO YOU , I DIDNT HAVE TO PAY MY LAWYER HE JUST TOOK SO MUCH OUT OF THE LUMP SUM , WHICH IS ALL GONE NOW I PAYED OFF ALL MY BILLS,, LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE .
reply

Cynthia

I am not in a position to give up.  It's been a long ugly haul.  I am not sure what the deal is, but it pretty much sounds like they make many go through all this, just to weed out the none disabled who have chosen to try and get easy money or early retirment.  Seems the dishonest have to cause problems in everyone of us who are disabled & in pains' lives.  They even make it tough for many to receive treatment, by way of medications.

I too have an attorney and hopefully It will be over in the near future and I can stop worring about it.  It's really stressful what they make the disabled go through and I really feel like it's caused me even more pain than I should have.  Since my sons death, I cannot seem to handle the slightest bit of stress or the pain goes nuts.  I'm certain I have permanent damage to my central nervous system.

Take Care, nice to see you again

Betty

reply

OH, I AM AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR SON , I DONT WHAT HAPPENED , BUT THATS OK IF YOU DONT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. P YOU HAVE MY SYMPATHY...STRAIGHT FROM MY HEART AND SOUL...YOU ARE SO RIGHT , ABOUT EVERYTHING , I AM MORE DIABLED CAUSE I DO HAVE TO PAY FOR SOME MEDICINES THAT HAS CAUSED ME SO MUCH STRESS AND EVERY WEEK I HAVE TESTS BY DOCTORS OR A DOCTORS APP EVERY TIME I SEE THEM THEY SET UP AN APP FOR 6 TO 8 WEEKS TO SEE THEM AGAIN , I AM JUST GOING IN CIRCLES IN MORE DISTRESS FORM ALL OF THIS AND EVEN THOU I WORKED 30 YEARS I DONT GET THE FULL AMOUNT CAUSE I DIDNT MAKE TOP MONEY, IT IS NOT FAIR FOR US TO GO THRU THIS ALONE, WITH LIVING THE WAY  WE HAVE TO LIVE.LIVING IN PAIN AND HAVING TO GO THRU OTHER STRESSES. . I AM PRAYING FOR YOU, WISHING YOU A BLESSED WEEK MY FRIEND
reply

Hi Betty,

 

I can't believe that you don't qualify for disability yet.  Like Cynthia says though, hang in there and hopefully you will get it.  Those folks that I know who have had to deal with it have to jump through a lot of hoops.  I have even heard of people who have lost limbs and not qualify!!!  I will keep you in my prayers.  God places us where we need to be.  I am sure that the lady that you are caring for is giving you comfort too .

 

Your sister in Christ,

SoBlest

reply

SoBlest

I hope your monday has went well.  We're still getting snow and I'm really tired of feeling so stuck at home.  My husband is working the evening shift till midnight till thursday, So I'm really getting bored.

My pastor is coming to bring me communion on Wednesday and I'm really looking forward to his visit.  I'm not able to sit in the pew at church for an hour 1/2  or more anymore, so I get home visits.

It's supposed to warm up and I'm really hoping to get to my lady friends and visit her soon too.  She's my only outing for the week and boy this snow has me stir crazy.

Hope you have a nice evening, take care

God Bless

Betty

reply

Hi Sherry and Pauline,

 

I too had a neurostimulator trial and but it failed.  I felt part of it's effects in my upper back and hip area but none in my low back nor in my legs and feet.  It also went on and off at will!!!  I will never forget one time when I had it turned OFF and I left the remote in my car.  I walked into a fast food restauarant to order something and the stimulator turned on by itself AT FULL STRENGTH!!!  I felt as if I was sitting in an electric chair!!  I was standing in line waiting to be served and had to act like I wasn't some kind of idiot.  I immediately tried to walk out of the restaurant as "normal" as I could, got into my car, and frantically tried to turn the stupid thing off.  I called the Medtronic rep and told him what happened and he said "that can happen occasionally"!!  I thought to myself that there was NO WAY I was going to have this thing implanted in me and have that happen ever again.  I immediately called my doctor and scheduled to have the stimulator taken out.  The doctor of course didn't want to do that.  He wanted to reposition the wires.  I imphatically said no.  I have heard of others having great success with a stimulator but it wasn't for me.

 

I am going for a morphine pump trial on 2/13 but have great reservations about it too, especially since it is made by the SAME company.  I have done quite a bit of research on it and am concerned about the risks.  The only reason I am doing it is to lesson the constipation effects, which I know may not occur.  If my pain lessons, that will be an added plus.  I have had two laminectomies and a spinal fusion.  I am "so blessed" that I can still work and live a somewhat normal life, but my digestive system is a wreck.

 

Pauline-I appreciate your hesitancy for me in going for the trial.  I feel that I have nothing to loose by doing the trial.  I have nothing to loose by doing the trial.  In my heart though, I don't think that I will go for the implant.  The risks are too great and I will not be garuanteed of no constipation.  I would like to know, however, what particular concerns you had.  Please share.

 

SoBlest

reply

So sorry it didn't work out for you. I am scheduled for lap-band surgery on 2/26. I'm hoping that weight loss will help my leg pain. I'm about 75# over-weight and my doctors have been telling me for yrs that if I lost the weight it would probably help my leg pain. I'm not naive enough to think that losing weight will elimanate my pain, but I do agree that it might help...it can't hurt, right? I've told my pain dr that I will give the lap-band at least 6-8 mths before I make a decision about the neurostimulator. Hopefully, this will also give me more time to do a little research. Good luck with the pain pump. My neighbor has had one for 6 or 7 yrs and I don't think that she has had any major problems with it. Keep in touch, Sherry
reply

 I went back to the site to refresh my memory. These are some of the things listed that made me decide against the SCS:  I could not have a MRI if needed, cardiac defibrillator ( I have heart problems, already have had a heart attack and triple by pass surgery) or Diathermy.

  If  you have multiple illnesses. (I am a Diabetic) or if you're on blood thinners; which I take because of my heart.. That already cancels me out.

 

  You could get an unpleasant jolt to your body from theft detectors, metal screening. postural changes.

   And the biggest one, the surgical risk, could cause paralysis.

   Other sites list other pros and cons.

   Even if I were a candidate, I still wouldn't have it done. There are too many risks and restrictions.

   The DVD doesn't go into all of that information when discussing the procedure.

    I have an appontment with my Pain Management Dr. in 3 weeks.

   I'm sure at that time after reviewing my chart and medical history he will know this is not the treatment for me.

   He has done just about everything he can do for me.

   All the pain medications, narcotics., even Methadone do not give me relief.

   I am trying the Morphine again for a month to see if I have better luck with it this time.

  As for the constipation so many people are mentioning; Benifiber and 1 or 2 teaspoons of milk of magnesia help a lot.

  Stool softeners. high fiber foods. Graham crackers and drinking plenty of water are all aids to correct this problem. 

reply

Pauline,

 

I am so sorry to hear of all of your medical problems.  No wonder the doctors don't want to touch you with a SCS or a MP.  As far as the constipation remedies you mention, "been there done that".  Right now, I am taking megadoses of psyllium and stool softeners.  The psyllium causes a lot of bloating and gas though to the point that I am miserable and have to practically run out of a room to keep from embarassing myself.  Phazyme doesn't seem to work at out to counteract that.  Talk about intimacy issues with my husband as well. That can also be difficult at times.  Sometimes, I have to resort back to laxatives. I wish I could just go the bathroom.  You wouldn't think that something so many people take for granted would control my life.  It's bad enough that I am in so much pain all the time!  I then have to deal with all of this!

 

I hope that you someday find answers to your pain.  Good luck with the weightloss.  I am sure that WILL help.  Get support!  That will certainly help as well.

 

SoBlest

reply

Hi Deb,

I had read one of your posts when I first founs this website and then I couldn't find you again!!!  I thought "I've got to find you!!!"  We are neighbors and I am just dying to talk to someone locally about all of this.  Dr. Schmidt did all of my surgeries and I see Dr. Kim for pain management.  Dr. Caraway in Huntington is doing the morphine pump trial and implant if i have it.  I didn't know Dr. Schmidt could do it so I don't know why Dr. kim had me go to Dr. Caraway!!!  I will give you a call here soon!  Thank you so much for writing me:)

 

SoBlest

reply

Hi COmtnmama,

 

I called my neighbor friend here in WV (Deb here on Chronic Pain) and talked with her for a while.  She is doing well with her pump but her constipation woes are not gone.  The doctor that put her pump in is the same doctor that did my same 3 surgeries!!!  We both saw the 2 different doctors in the same pain clinic too.  One of them attempted her first morphine implant but it was unsuccessful.  The other referred me to the doctor in a nearby town to do my morphine trial.  Why!!!! Because they have done some research together I guess.  I didn't know that my surgeon did morphine pumps so I am going to call him first thing Monday morning to confirm.  If that's the case, i will call the other doctor and cancel.  I hate to do that but it's my body and my life!!!  The doctor that did my 3 back surgeries (two laminectomies and 1 fusion) and Deb's morphine pump said that her pump surgery was a "piece of cake".  Funny how the other doctor could not do it at all!  You are so right that it depends on the doctor.  I am so sorry that you had to endure the screams of that gentleman.

 

What is the name of the product that you are using for your constipation?  I feel like I have tried everything!!  Please share specifically what you use.

 

SoBlest

reply

The brand name is Hylands homeopathic and it just says GAS in big red letters. Any health store should have homeopathic remedies but I got this at Safeway grocery store. Hope your former surgeon can help, it's always better to go with someone you know and trust.
reply

HI COmtnmama,

 

Unfortunately, we don't have a Safeway around here but i am sure that I could find it on the Internet.  Thank you for sharing it with me.  I have read on another site that magnesium also helps, believe it or not.  Also, flaxseed oil.  I think that I might run out to the store and get both to try!  I appreciate your help

 

SoBlest

reply

I was just reading that magnesium also helps with pain! I take a mineral supplement every day.

I take flaxseed oil as well, it has also lowered my cholestoral.

reply

COmtnmama,

 

I wonder how magnesium helps with pain???  I will definitely research that one!  That is also interesting that flaxseed oil lowers cholesterol.  I have some blood pressure issues so maybe that might help that as well!

 

SoBlest

reply

http://www.immunesupport.com/library/showarticle.cfm/id/4563

 

HERE IS LINK TO THE ARTICLE WHICH DISCUSSES MAGNESIUM

reply

Hi COmtmama,

 

Thank you for the link!  It is very informative.  Here is another one regarding magnesium and consitpation:

 

http://www.ezinearticles.com/?Using-Calcium-and-Magnesium-for-Constipation&id=40719

 

SoBlest

reply

Dear cyberchar,

 

You are so lucky to be alive!!!  I can't believe what happened to you.  You made me recall something similar that happened to me when I had my spinal fusion in April of '07 that has me concerned about something else with this trial, which I am NOW going to postpone (more on that later!).  My body was so tolerant of pain meds that I didn't respond at all to the morphine drip after surgery.  I was supposed to push the "button" every 6 minutes for a dose of morphine in order to get pain relief.  Apparently, my delivery was set up wrong and I was overdosing myself!!!  My BP went dangerously low.  The nurse came rushing in an said, "We've got to get you off of this pump NOW or you are going to Code Blue on us!"  I was not getting any pain relief at all and the nurse had doubled the dosage.  I thought that I was going to die.  The doctor switched me to diaudid following all of this, which is what I am supposed to be put on if I get the pump. The pain relief was ok for about the 1st hour and then for the next 3 hours I wanted to die.  I was scheduled to receive it 4 hours apart. 

 

I THANK YOU for your story because it made me remember a horrible incident with me.  How could I forget!!!  My husband feels that it was an incident with just this nurse but what if the pump causes my BP to plummet like that if it's in my body.  Needless to say if it comes loose???  Maybe others can comment on that if something similar happened to them.

 

As far as postponing my trial, I found out through "Deb" here that we share the same surgeon locally, except I was sent to a different doctor for my pump trial.  I don't understand why!!  Deb and I have the same pain specialists too.  The only thing I can think of is that there must be something in it for the doctors involved.  It is in MY best interest to see the doctor for the pump who did my past 3 surguries.  I am going to call both offices first thing in the morning.  The morphine pump doctor is not going to like me cancelling the trial on Wednesday but he doesn't know my history.  All he did was tell me I am a candidate and gave me a video to watch.  I'M GOING BACK TO MY ORIGINAL SURGEON thanks to this site and Deb!!!!!

 

SoBlest

reply

Thanks so much for your kind words. I agree with you, this was no incident with a nurse. I had become toxic in the past when I was on oxycontin, oxyfast, fentanyl and a couple of heart meds. My liver just slows down, as apparently do my kidneys, and I get really loopy. I remember once I got out my vacuum and told my son how glad I was that I got a lawnmower that was only 9 lbs. Yep, lawnmower not vacuum. I made a sign for myself so I would know whether to go left or right to the bathroom. All this was charted and they should have realized that that amount of morphine would quickly build up. They came in and lowered the dosage but I was scared to push the button after that.

 

The doctor said I had maybe 5 years to live. After talking to my PA, she told he it was one man's opinion and since his opinions were so off while I was in the hospital, I'm trying, trying pretty hard at times, to not dwell on what he said.

 

I'll be thinking of you and wishing you the very, very best. Can you write on these boards that you will pray for someone? If so, you bet I will...for both of us!!

Char

reply

Dear Vickey,

 

I have never heard of the cherry pills.  That is yet another thing I am learning through this site.  Thank you for sharing that with me.

 

SoBlest

reply

Dear Vickey,

 

I have never heard of the cherry pills.  That is yet another thing I am learning through this site.  Thank you for sharing that with me.

 

SoBlest

reply

Hello Helencal,

 

I am so sorry to hear that you are 100% disabled and so frustrated with your profession.  I feel that way too with some of my doctors here lately.  I have to trust my instinct and research this information myself!!  As I stated before, I was told that I was a candidate for the pump and was handed a video as the doctor walked out the door.  I have learned more about this pump through my own research and this website than my doctors have ever told me!  I am now not going through with it because the risks outway any benefit I may get for my severe constipation issues.  I will be posting another sharepost tonight in regard to all of that and my new course of action.

 

You have much wisdom with your experience and I agree that it takes a team to make informed decisions.  When patients can find that sort of a team approach, that is fortunate.  The doctor I visited "sent" me for a psych eval., but that individual of course was not on site. 

 

On the flip side, many patients do find great doctors who spend a lot of time with them to adequately inform them of what the risks and benefits of what any procedure or surgery may intail.  Case in point, my own primary care physician.  He is absolutely wonderful.  It could be 5:00pm on a Friday afternoon and he would stay with me as long as needed.  It wouldn't matter. So I hate to hear the entire medical profession defamed because there are a lot of incredible doctors out there.  I am sorry that your experience has not been better.

 

Thank you for your input.  As for me and this morphine pump trial, the doctors have not informed me properly as you state and I am opting out!  It's not for me this time....And probably never.  I pray that your recovering and pain somehow improves and that your bitterness is softened.  May God comfort you...

 

SoBlest

reply

I m sorry if you misunderstood my comment.  I didn't mean to communicate that all health professionals are uncaring, but too many of them are.  Yes, if you have a caring doctor, stay with him!  But I see too many patients ignored by MDs and nurses and don't believe or care about chronic pain patients.  Most are uneducated.

 

I have known great people in my health profession;  I just wish that more of them had a responsible attitude.

 

I am sorry if I came across as too bitter.

 

I am glad that you have made your own decision regarding the morphine pump.  Keep up the research and your kind doctor should research peer journals to help you with any future decisions.

 

Aloha and take care

Helen

reply

Helencal,

 

Gotcha!  I am glad to hear that ... You have had much more experience in your profession and have seen uncaring doctors.  It's a shame that is the case and it's scary too!!  Unfortunately, there are naive patients who don't have the wisdom and insight to know the difference and these are the patients who get the poor care.  Thanks for clarifying your statement.  I am sure that others reading it appreciate that too.

reply

Hello Denise,

Thank you so much for your kind words.  You must not have read my most recent posts because I did NOT go through with the pump trial and needless to say, did not get the implant.  The risks were too great for me for the benefit I was seeking.  Please go back and read my previous posts.  I have also found another medication that may be a culprit for my constipation woes; that being clonidine.  It is a drug for many uses but it was prescribed for me to take before bed for my hot flashes since my hysterectomy since I can't take HRT drugs due to my BP going way up.  I have been off of it for 4 days now and have continued my regimen for my bowels and wahlah.....I paid a visit to my bathroom!!!! Sorry....I don't know how else to describe such a delicate subject.  I am curious as to whether not you have any problems with constipation with your pump.  That is my biggest problem with my kadian that I am on, but I think that the clonidine may also be my problem.  I will continue to stay off of it to see how I do.  In the meantime, I will use black cohosh for the hot flashes.  Read my other posts and get back with me.  I am so glad that the pump works for you.  My doctor increased my daytime dose of Kadian to 90mg and kept the nightime dose at 60mg.  I tried to do without my Topamax as well but that was a no-no!!!  I have to have that one.  It really helps with nerve pain.  I take the maximum dose of it...200mg, two times per day.  I also have migraines so it is supposed to help prevent them as well.

 

Thank you for contacting me.  You have so much to deal with.  God bless you Denise.

 

SoBlest

reply

Dear SoBlest, I am sorry for not having read your other posts. I clicked on the link to the posting I did read, which was listed along the left side of another page and thought that was the latest post, which I now know is the wrong assumption.  I have read why you cancelled the trial and can understand your decision. Regarding constipation, I have had that problem since I was a young girl, but I have been on different pain meds since then so I don't know if that is the cause.  I've tried all kinds of theapies and treatments and finally came upon a prescription medicine that is wonderful.  I know morphine bothered me when I took it orally but I don't know if it does receiving it directly to the central nervous system, and I take so many other meds I don't know if they are affecting my system also.  The medicine I take for constipation is Lactulose Solution USP 10g/15ml.  I started taking 4 tablespoons a day, but now after several years I do not need to take it every day, about every 3 days is good for me, and I feel so much better, plus I no longer bleed and have other problems when I do go.  I know this is difficult to speak about sometimes, but it is so important for many reasons and I hope you can find an effective method of dealing with it.   I am sorry you had to have the experience with the insensitive pain specialist; it would be nice to think that doctors going into this specialty would be somewhat sensitive to what people in chronic pain are dealing with and that we are 'doctored out' so we want to be treated like real people, not specimens and want things explained to us.  Over the years I have had 20 surgeries and have lost count of medical procedures, both invasive and not, so I like to know what to expect and all about it.  My least favorite expression  from a doctor is, "This won't hurt, it is just going to be a little uncomfortable."  I used to fall for that and now ask if the doctor, nurse, or technician has ever had the procedure him or herself, and if the answer is no I will often say that until they have they shouldn't declare it not painful.  Most of the timeit isn't, but I have vivid memories of times when the procedure or test was extremely painful.  I believe I told you about the Chronic Pain Awareness Project I founded in 2003 in which one of the goals is to advocate for all doctors to receive more education about the physical aspects of pain and the relationship of pain to the brain, how a person's life can be impacted by living in chronic pain, and how others not in pain can be of more assistance by knowing more about what the person in  pain is living with on a daily basis.  In addition, it discusses the need for advocacy for better legislation regarding pain medications and treatments, and for monitoring the media's reporting on pain medications.  Again, I am sorry for my mistake in not reading on further, I will be sure not to do that again.  My best of luck to you with the new medications.  Denise
reply

Hi Denise,

Please don't apologize for making an honest mistake.  I appreciate you taking the time to go back and reading my other posts so I won't ellaborate here.  I can't imagine going through 20 surgeries and all of the pain you must have to deal with.  You have made something positive out of a negative though by starting your advocacy group...that is incredible!!!  You have helped a lot of people by what you have done.

 

Thank you for sharing the information about the Lactose Solution.  I haven't heard about that one yet but will definitely try that one.  I am willing to try anything new that is successful for someone else.  My current regimen is quite intensive so it would be nice to be able to narrow it down to one thing.

 

Thank you again and it is great to hear from you.

Take care,

SoBlest

 

reply

Hi, This is just a quick hello. I am leaving in a few minutes for my nieces surprise 30th birthday part and want to be ready when my sister comes to pick me up. I hate not being able to drive. I hope the medicine I referred to you works, we all know that works for one person doesn't always work for another, but it has been a blessing not to have that problem anymore. I hope you have a good weekend.  Best,

Denise 

  

reply

Denise-Thank you!  Just one question though...I did a little research on it and am a bit confused.  Is this medication prescription or do you buy it over the counter?  I saw some sites where you could purchase it for pets even!  Just curious.

 

Thanks!

SoBlest

reply

<>Hi, Mine is prescription. After years of trying everything on the market that you can buy over the counter and several other prescriptions, this has been a blessing.  It sounds silly, I know but it can make a world of difference is your system is working right, can't it?

Good luck,

Denise 

reply

OK Denise,

I see my family physician in a couple of weeks so I will definitely ask him about it.  From what I read, it is a laxative so how differently does it work?  I don't want to take it and have to worry about having to run to the bathroom all the time the next morning when I am at work!

 

SoBlest

reply

<><>Hi, Each prescription will work, or not work, differently on each person. That is why whenever I recommend something that works for me I try to make sure that I say that while it works for me it may not be as effective for you.  Each of us have different systems, there are different reasons for which  we could be having the same symptoms, and the different medications we take could affect how a medicine could work differently for one person than another.  Just like with the morphine pump, it is my miracle worker, but I know that other people get little ot no benefit from it, but there are many differing variables in both our cases.  All I can say is speak to your doctor, tell her or him that it worked well for me and I am onthe morphine pump and even before that had a terrible constipation problem from various pain medications and other things, and ask if he thinks it could work for you.  I take it at night and have never had a problem at all with it.  I guess the best thing to do is see what the doctor says. Good luck, Denise
reply

Hello Denise,

I am glad that it works for you.  I will talk to my doctor about it.  So from what you are saying, you have relatively normal bathroom "events" then???  That's great if that is the case.  I haven't "paid a visit" on my current regimen since Saturday and I can tell that I am going to have to use a laxative tonight...yuck!!  I will let you know what he says when I talk to him.  Thank you for your help.  This site has been so helpful!

 

SoBlest

reply

<>Hi,  Best of luck to you.  I hope it works as well for you.

<>Denise 

reply

Hello Carol,

 

I am so glad that the pump has worked for you.  I have posted other comments called "Postponing Morphine Trial" and "Cancelling Morphine Trial" (can't remember exact wording) so therefore, I didn't end up with one at all.  I felt that the risks were too great for me based upon the reason I was seekin the pump:  severe constipation issues.  I have now come up with a regimen that works for me to handle that.  I am in the process of switching pain specialists because Ifeel that my current one has done all that he can for me.  My current meds are not sufficient and he offers no other solution.

 

It is a shame that you have such horrible sleep issues with your pump that requires a Bipap machine.  I can't imagine having to go off of your morphine pump and switch to  oral morphine.  Did you just have to leave the pump in with no medicine being delivered with it? I assume that it was a gradual decrease and increase of both meds.  Even though you were coming down off of one and starting another, it doesn't surprise me that you had withdrawal effects.  Your body was having to adjust to a different way of metabolizing the drugs. 

 

I can continue to work as well but I often have to come home a lay down for a couple of hours in order to continue my day.  There are many days that I walk with a limp but praise God, I walk without a cane or I am not in a wheelchair!!!  I have learned through this website that there are so many MORE people much worse off than me.  I have so much to be greatful for.  This is not going to kill me. 

 

Thanks for writing me and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

 

SoBlest

reply