I have arthritus, fibromylagia,myofascial sydrome that causes my chronic pain.

People are so willing to judge people that

have chronic pain. They think we are put-

ing on a  act.  I take a lot of medication.

I take Adderall.  Without this drug I could

not even get out of bed. Let them talk!

Sandy Van Der Kar

9/ 4/08 9:46am

I am also someone that has lived with chronic pain for over 20 years and have tried everything you could think of to get some relief. I have fibromyagia,bulging discs in my lower back and a cyst on the nerve root of the c-5 cisc. I take a narcotic plus a a patch that is also a narcotic and also use a cream that has narcotics in it but without them I am not able to move litterally. Yes I have heard it all I am addicted to drugs and it can't be that bad that you have to use all of those. I truely wish that I did not have to. I don't even get a the relief that I wish I could,I am not able to do anything even with the meds if I get up and start doing housework or cooking ANUTHING I am in horrible pain even with the meds. This is not the life that anyone cares to live believe me it is awful to feel so helpless and to depend on others for everything that you do. People can say what they want but unless they are going through it they have no idea how truely horrible it is to live with chronic pain every day and night of your life. Your life is not your own. I was always a person that was doing something,I walked at least five miles a day and now I can't walk two feet without being in pain. Please do not judge those of us that HAVE to depend on narcotics to help us get through each day. I am a Christian and I prey every day for help for the Lord and I know that some day there will be something other than narcotics to help people with chronic pain but for now this is the way it is and I know with the Lords help I will get through it,prayer is a powerful tool.

Sandy Van Der Kar

9/ 4/08 9:47am

I am also someone that has lived with chronic pain for over 20 years and have tried everything you could think of to get some relief. I have fibromyagia,bulging discs in my lower back and a cyst on the nerve root of the c-5 cisc. I take a narcotic plus a a patch that is also a narcotic and also use a cream that has narcotics in it but without them I am not able to move litterally. Yes I have heard it all I am addicted to drugs and it can't be that bad that you have to use all of those. I truely wish that I did not have to. I don't even get a the relief that I wish I could,I am not able to do anything even with the meds if I get up and start doing housework or cooking ANUTHING I am in horrible pain even with the meds. This is not the life that anyone cares to live believe me it is awful to feel so helpless and to depend on others for everything that you do. People can say what they want but unless they are going through it they have no idea how truely horrible it is to live with chronic pain every day and night of your life. Your life is not your own. I was always a person that was doing something,I walked at least five miles a day and now I can't walk two feet without being in pain. Please do not judge those of us that HAVE to depend on narcotics to help us get through each day. I am a Christian and I prey every day for help for the Lord and I know that some day there will be something other than narcotics to help people with chronic pain but for now this is the way it is and I know with the Lords help I will get through it,prayer is a powerful tool.

teresa

1/19/09 8:11pm

I can so relate to all that is posted on this subject. I went round and round with my Dr several years ago about pain meds. I have bulging disk in lower back and all in my neck but one. Hip pain both knee's are bad. If I didn't have my pain meds I would not be able to work. Doc was worried I'd become addicted. So finally I looked him in the eye and said, I don't abuse my meds I never get hight from them and I said this pain is the rest of my life so why should I have to go through it without some relief. isn't that why these drugs are made? He agreed and never gave me any more lecture's about becoming and addict. I look at it this way maybe I do rely on them but I'm am a funcution member of society. I don't lay around popping pill have pill just to try and get some kind of buzz. I take my meds like I'm supposed to. Maybe on really bad days I take  one extra so what I'm not hurting anyone and I'm not high in anyway shape or form. So people shut up and stop putting a label on us.

 

Teresa

LITTLEBIT2454

2/23/10 2:20am

I also am going through both chronic physical pain, and mental anguish from those that want to condemn me as an addict.  I have had 5 major reconstructive shoulder surgeries, bi-latearal ulnar nerve transpositions, carpal tunnel syndrome surgery 4 arthroscopic knee surgeries, L-4 disc disectomy and broke my pelvis on Friday 13th, 2009.  I stay in constant pain and am only taking 40 mg of roxicodone per day.  My friends and family constantly treat me the same as you.  They don't understand it.  It is a horrible feeling having to be dependant on the narcotics, to have to take them from being "PILL SICK" even when you are having a good day pain wise  I have come to accept that I am going to have to be on the narcotics the rest of my life, just to be able to function.  Just don't let what others think, or say get you down.  You have enough problems dealing with your chronic pain.  Good Luck, and "GOD BLESS US ALL"

Kent

11/30/10 3:39pm

I am a minister of the gospel.  I was involved in an auto accident in 2006.  It broke 3/4 of my back crushed my thoracic.  While spinal fluid running out, in radioliogy, they picked slivers of busted bone out, grafting bone to build a thoracic replacement.  Now I have two straps and screws on both sides to keep my back together.  I have desentigrating back-bone.  It broke my neck, that crunches when moved now.  Broke my sternum, all ribs, punchured lung, busted right hip, that a hand doctor at the ER inserted a leg with a broken femure bone in a busted pelvic.  Busted knee, severed nerves, flatened foot from a 12d to a 14 e, three right hand paralized fingers.  I've tried to come off of the Morphine sulfate that I've tried to come off of, so many times that I can't count.  I nearly die at now 65yrs.  Is it a Sin, that will eternally bind my Soul to the pits of Hell.  I've never been completely off of narcotics.  But the Pain of my Body and withdrawel, has almost killed me.  I feel that I'd been better-off to have died in the accident, than to bear the reproach of the condemnators.  I've tried to come off a little at a time, to awaken to Pain all over my body.  It's so tormenting that, I had rather someone blow my brains out while I holler for help, being rushed to the Hospital some many times that I can't count them.  Yet christian people Pray and say I'm healed.  I believe it and try to come off.  I'm confused, discouraged, dispondant,desperate for the answer.  I like the favorite saying, "All you got to do is Believe"...Human Faith, God's Faith, Or Devils faith for they believe in God and Tremble.  Have you got a better Answer than, "you need to get off those narcotics, its a sin".  Anybody got any logical, medical, or whatever, Answers.

Peter3

1/24/11 12:27am

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I am 39 years old and I too am in the same boat and I must say that it is the Titanic. I am judged at work for what I am taking and going through. I suffered an injury to my thoracic and cervical spine. I have a total of 5 surgeries and have 3 vertebrae in my cervical spine fused. The doctors have told me that there is too great of a risk of mortality for them to try to fuse the thoracic spine, for which my reply was I don’t care but they were more worried about having a death on their record than helping me. The muscles around my left shoulder blade are constantly in burning pain, which is gradually spreading to my right shoulder blade. I would not be able to breath without my pain meds; I know because I have tried. I did not last long. I am by no means addicted to pain meds.

 

I saw a show about how botox is used to paralyze muscles to remove wrinkles. I convinced my doctor to let me try this for my chronic pain because the muscles in my thoracic area are constantly tense. He indicated that he did not know much about it and needed to do some research. So I waited. After a few months he gave me a prescription and had me pick it up and bring it back to him for 3 injections in trigger point areas. This helped relieve the burning pain but began to wear off after a month. The insurance would not cover it so I was out $500, which I could not afford to continue but desperately wanted to. However, during this time I did not need the usual level of narcotics.  

 

It’s been almost 10 years that I have been in burning pain and am uncertain how much longer I can take it. Between the pain and the judgment, this is like 9 times hell.  

I can totally relate to this.  Most of my family as well as many "friends" judge me this way.  I suffer from chronic pain, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis with a "grade 1 wedge deformity of the spine" which is basically a hairline fracture, esophagitis, GERD, TMD (TMJ), diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, anxiety, IBD, thoracic scoliosis, atherosclerotic disease of the abdomen/pelvis, and a tumor IN my left adrenal gland which causes a multitude of symptoms.  Back in 2003, after pleading with my pcp doctor for 2 years prior,  (ALL doctors I see believed I was a "druggie"),  they FINALLY put me on Lortab 7.5 mg along with Zanaflex 4 mg and I have been on it ever since.  My pcp doctor will only "allow" me to take 2 of each a day.  I wake up around 5 to 5:30 a.m. and take my first round, suffer throughout the middle of the day until around 1 to 2 p.m. in the afternoon when I take the 2nd round.  Heaven forbid if I ask for more!!  My pcp doctor will only give me 60 a month.  He, as well as all the specialists I see, tell me "oh sure, it's okay if you're having a really bad pain day to take more", but I will tell them great...but when I run out before my prescription is due again, then what do I do??  And what about the months where there are 31 days??  Why don't I get 62 for those months?  Read the literature that comes with these medications and how DANGEROUS it is to just STOP taking them after being on them for so long!  I did some research through the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision wherein it states "Pain should be assessed and treated promptly and the quantity and frequency of doses should be adjusted according to the intensity, duration of the pain and treatment outcomes.  Physicians should recognize THAT TOLERANCE AND PHYSICAL DEPENDENCE ARE NORMAL CONSEQUENCES OF SUSTAINED USE OF OPIOID ANALGESICS AND ARE NOT THE SAME AS ADDICTION.  It also states that "Inappropriate pain treatment may result from physicians' lack of knowledge about pain management.  Fears of investigation or sanction by federal, state and local agencies may also result in inappropriate treatment of pain.  Appropriate pain management is the TREATING PHYSICIAN'S responsibility.  As such, the Board will consider the inappropriate treatment of pain to be a departure from standards of practice and will investigate such allegations, recognizing that some types of pain cannot be completely relieved, and taking into account whether the treatment is appropriate for the diagnosis".  It also states "Physicians should not fear disciplinary action from the Board for ordering, prescribing, dispensing or administering controlled substances, including opioid analgesics, for a legitimate medical purpose and in the course of professional practice".  I keep a copy of this with me at all times.  If more doctors understood all of this I think they'd be more likely to treat your pain.  An experience I just recently went through...I see 2 digestive specialists, one for my colon problems, another for my stomach problems.  About 4 months ago, after enduring so much pain I could barely take it, stemming from the multitude of digestive problems, I actually got my colon doctor to prescribe me 30 Lortabs of the same  strength so I could at least have ONE to take during the middle of the day.  Heaven forbid I should ask my pcp doctor to give me more!  And yes, every single one of the doctors I see each know what the other is prescribing me, I WANT THEM ALL TO KNOW and be on the "same page" with each other.  Well, I use Walgreens for my pharmacy and have used them since first being prescribed the pain pills/muscle relaxers.  I got online with Walgreens as I usually do, to get the Lortab from my colon specialist refilled.  Walgreens sent me their "confirmation" email that my pills were ready to pick up.  I waited until the next day and drove up there to pick them up, only to be told they were not ready...I said what????  But you sent me an email telling me they were.  The pharmacist says "well we haven't heard back from your doctor".  Again I was like what???  Then why did you send the email saying they were ready to pick up??  Finally, he tells me..(and mind you this is after getting them filled for the past 4 months with NO problems), well we see where you're getting these from two different doctors.  I said yes I am and ALL OF THE DOCTORS I see know this!!  I asked the pharmacist "why are you just now having problems with this when I've been getting them filled now for 4 months with you?"  He couldn't respond to that question.  So he told me to go home and call my colon specialist and see what he could do about this and I did.  I spoke to his nurse and told her what was going on..she said the same thing.  Well you're getting the Lortab (they don't care about the muscle relaxers), from your pcp doctor.  I said yes, and you all have known this since I started coming here!!  I told her go get my file and you will see it written down in my file that my pcp doctor gives me these and THAT I DID TELL YOU THIS!!  She did get my file and did see this and after all this b.s., finally "got it"...and called Walgreens to let them know it was okay to go ahead and fill them for me!!  Well then, later that afternoon, Walgreens sent me another email now saying they couldn't fill them because my insurance would not okay them!!  So I called Walgreens and said what in the heck is going on??  She said "your insurance won't approve them until September 16th!!  I said well if the insurance won't cover them until then, then you use my free drug card (go to www.freedrugcard.us), and I will just outright pay for them by using that.  So you'll know, this particular pharmacist at Walgreens treated me like crap!  Acting like I was the one doing something wrong here!  She tells me okay then that'll be 11.00 and I said okay I'll come get them and she proceeded to just hang up on me!!  I took one of my best friends with me in order to have a witness..because I was ready to "raise some hell" with this lady for being so rude to me.  Of course, she had already gone by the time we got there.  I understand that the DEA is freaking out on people that go "doctor hopping" in order to get pain pills.  BUT I AM NOT ONE OF THEM!!  I tell ALL of my doctors everything.  I let them ALL know what the other is prescribing me.  I am not trying to "hide" anything or go "doctor hopping"!!!  So I have my doctors judging me, the pharmacy, family, friends which only adds to my anxiety levels which leads to MORE PAIN.  You can't win for losing at times!  I am going crazy having to deal with this every single time I have to get my refills!!  Sorry to go on about all of this...but this all just really strikes a nerve in me big time.  Thanks for letting me share my story.

Jo

9/ 8/08 4:25pm

Jo here,I first of all feel so much kinship with you and your problems.My pharmacist takes it upon hisself whether he thinks what I am taking is right or not.Even when  a doctor has written it.There are 8 months in the year with 31 days.So say for instance you take 6 pills a day.If there are 3 months in a row that have 31 days you are going to be  3 times 6 which is 18 pills short.I talked this over with my psychiatrist and he said you are right,So he wrote it for 31 days and it was the insurance company that denied it.So if that is your pet peeve.Which it really is one of mine too.Maybe by telling you that information you may have contacts that this info will help you and there fore help us all.God please help us all........Jo.....gotta lay down.Had a hard day with the doctor and pharmacy....My prayers are for everybody....Jo

makeupgal

9/14/08 6:17am

A great idea for the running out of meds on a 31-day month problem, is what my Pain Doc does: Writes them for 28 days.  Period.  Month after month.  Just as you stated, a month does not contain the same number of days.  Just ask your prescriber to write them for either exactly 28,or 30 days.  I get #56 of a med I take twice a day for instance, not the #60 most would think.  Then what happens to day 31 in a month?  NO meds?  And he is kind enough, and knows me well, to give a set number of one med, which contains #20 more than the exact 28 day supply.  For the REAL BAD DAYS I get less than one pill per day for a month.  But I am so grateful that he thinks that way, yet still is extremely careful about changing meds or doing it often I should say, I just trust him so much!! 

 

Try out the #28 days, it is EXACTLY 4 weeks apart for any needed visits!! 

Burney

9/19/08 7:20am

I felt a strong need to reply to this post since what this dear lady is saying is the honest truth! If you have the need to take opioids on a daily basis, please get your physician's office to "get with the program!" You should reschedule ALL monthly appintments no more than precisely 28 days apart (4 weeks) and make sure they COUNT those days/weeks with exact precision. If the receptionist refuses, ask to speak to the office manager. And know, in advance, exactly which day you will need to fill your meds or schedule that next appointment with your doctor. You'll stop being looked upon by your pharmacist as an "early-bird" refiller. Since I, too, take an extended release as well as break-through dose of a short-acting opioid as well, I make certain that they never mess with that because with the level of meds I'm on, I'd wind up in hospital if I were to miss two doses of the long-acting opioid in a row. Not all doctors know about doing the 28 day scheduling. ENLIGHTEN THEM! By helping them learn to understand what your needs are. If they refuse to get it, find another doctor who does! Take responsibility for your own health and refuse to be a victim! As for those of you still dealing with ignorance, whether it be your family, friends, chemist/pharmicist or whomever else; A.) consider contacting your insurance company or filing a complaint with your Ombudsman (that's a representative that works for them but works with YOU like a social worker of sorts) or B.) see the social worker at the hospital where your doctor is associated. Most hospitals or insurance companies have an Ombudsman or social worker who can assist you. If nothing else, C.) contact Legal Aid or even your State's Dept. of Human Services (or equivilent) and ask them to direct you to an advocate who can assist you in filing a complain with the state's board of physicians if you're being refused proper pain relief and have not been refered to a pain specialist. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT --> Also, the second point of the 28 day med cycle is having the doctor write your Rx as 1, 2, 3 or 4 per day, instead of 1 every so-many hours. Be responsible for your own health by getting involved with your own treatment by telling the doctor or receptonist precisely what day/date you should be returning. When it comes to family, friends and other non-professionals, offer them the choice to be either in or out of your life. You are who you are and through what has likely been no fault of your own, you are UNWELL and need medication... tell them they can either take it(you) or leave it(you)... END OF STORY. This is what's called Tough Love. If they are so selfrighteous to continue judging you after you do your level-headed best to explain your condition (though you DON'T HAVE TO, medical info. is priviledged and private info.), they'll never get it.. forget them! And if they REALLY love you, they'll try to get it or accept you for who you are--with or without meds!

Dawn

11/18/10 1:05pm

This is so sad!  What is wrong with people???   Im having the same problem and my Dr actually just dumped me!!  She changed me from percocet to tramadol which does NOTHING and I've been calling the office crying for pain relief and my life back!!!  Now they just dont take my calls!!  Is this legal???

She did discograms, nerve ablations, epidurals and any other procedure which involves ramming a needle up my back in the last year alone...all to suck every drop of money from my insurance!!  She actually caused permenant nerve damage in my leg and foot from the last procedure and now that the funds are dried up she dumps me??  Im in MORE pain now than when I started seeing her 3 years ago!!!!

I suffer from 3 herniations in back with tearing of the disc...2 in my neck, 1 bulging, arthritis/degenerative disc disease and now this year diagnosed with fibromyalgia on top of it....Not to mention I have polycystic ovaries which causes EXTREMELY painful periods!!!  I cant take much more!!!   Im raising a 4 year old disabled child ALL alone and if it wasnt for him I would have killed myself to end this misery!!!!

I guess in order to survive I will have to turn to the streets to buy pain drugs illegally like the rest of the drug addicts!!!!  THANK YOU FOR CARING DOCTOR!!!!

 

It was mostly by my family! Was lucky enough to find a decent pain doctor.  She now however will no longer be prescribing Medication.  So I found a new Doctor and Have no clue if she will be as good.  Basically the hospital no longer wanted this because there is more money in treating pain with injections and epidurals.  None of which work for me.  I am allergic to anti inflammatories and neurontin, lyrica, and cymbalta were a bust.  There have been numerous other treatments tried that have failed also.  My husband and Sister had me feeling so guilty for being on a narcotic!  They even had me convinced I was a drug addict.  This past July I decided they must be right so I checked myself in to detox!  Oh man, was that crazy.  It didn't take me long to discover that I may have been physically addicted to my medication, Mentally I was not (by the way they gave me sumboxone for the withdrawl and it worked great).  I took my medication as prescribed, didn't doctor hop, didn't buy street drugs and went to the same pharmacy for my medication.  Unlike everyone else in there for narcotic addiction.  When asked the most drugs taken in a day replies from the patients were anywhere from 50 to 100 pills in ONE day! Usually vicodin or Nocor....(and of course Heroin) either bought on the street or stolen from the Hospital they worked in.  I was on Kadian...2'xs a day and Feoricet for the headaches (that I will not take again) That I did take to many in a day of (anywhere from 5 to 8) but did not go over my prescribed amount.  It just wasn't helping and would cause rebound headaches so am better off without it.  After being in for 2 1/2 days I also discovered my insurance was only paying $300 a day.  That barely covered food cost.  I ended up leaving early, thank goodness.  It was Crazy! I felt like I should have lied or pulled out a needle and started shooting up to justify me being there. Now I am waiting for monday for my appointment with the new pain doctor and wonder what the heck to tell her.  My pychiatrist knows about the detox cuz he admitted me. But knew I may still need to take narcotics.  He also was kind enough to prescribe me some Hydrocodone until my appointment (takes some of the edge off but not much).  Why the treatment center even admitted me in the first place is beyond me.  I imagine they thought I lied about the amount I took and why.  Who knows.  Now we have a huge bill to deal with and I have a record saying I am a substance abuser.   Since that should be private it should be ok but is it really private?  Enough is enough.  No longer will guilt plague me if narcotics are needed.  If this new doctor that has something else that will help....that would be wonderful!  If not then so be it!  The good out of it?  My husband felt horrible for doubting me.  But you know what?  He was just worried about me.  Of course I didn't let him off the hook until I read him the riot act but now finally he is more understanding.  As for the rest of the family....who knows.  It's my daughters and husband that live with me and know what I go through every day that matter most.  The others don't.  So to them I say; GET OVER IT! 

Burney

9/19/08 9:52am

Hope this helps some! Re: "I imagine they thought I lied about the amount I took and why. Who knows. Now we have a huge bill to deal with and I have a record saying I am a substance abuser. Since that should be private it should be ok but is it really private?" It honestly matters not what anybody thought at the time. Most importantly it appears that you have proven to yourself, spouse and children that you are NOT an addict or substance abuser! Personally, I'M PROUD OF YOU! Way to go, M'Lady! Insofar as the 'perceived lie...' (thinking you mean while you were in detox/hospital) Now, you say that your psychiatrist admitted you, but did he really or did he simply make a "referral" professionally and set up your admission? OR did he actually have to FORCE you to be admitted? You see, when you enter a psychiatric facility, you go in only one of two ways -- by either signing yourself in ~OR~ forcibly. The later way is what's called a ' Physician's Emergency Committal ' Given that you stated that others actually convinced you that you had a problem, it was no case of "denial" (a part of the addiction process) and I do believe every human is still entitled to make a mistake now and again, right? RIGHT! We are only human. And I would be VERY specific about that point of the matter, should you find yourself needing to discuss it. I sincerely doubt your own psych. Dr. would've admitted you (even if only by referral) and then prescribe opioids for you IF he honestly felt you HAVE a problem. Why? Because such actions could be viewed as unethical or unlawful. ALL physicians, nurses, law enforcement, etc., are required to report anyone whom they consider to be in danger of harming themself or another. Just stand firm and calmly explain how it was a mistake. BUT only if their attitude dictates that you must explain. While I don't advocate not telling your new Dr. that you're seeing a psych. Dr, but you might ASK your PSYCH. Doctor (if he's NOT going to prescribe narcotics for you in the future) IF HE FEELS it's even necessary to release anything OTHER than dates of treatment, diagnosis and any other Rx he may still need to prescribe to you, to the new pain Dr. He may agree that sending anything more is unnecessary. Most psych. Drs. typically DO NOT release their own notes taken during your actual therapy. It's unfortunate to see so many folks not knowing or understanding their Patient Rights. YES, we all HAVE patient rights! The HIPPA act controls what info. may be released and to whom -- get a copy from any pharmacy or Dr.'s office or go to http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/ YOU control what IS and ISN'T released, If they request your entire record, calmly explain a minimum of info., ONLY if asked directly, and request that your psych. Dr. write a Personal Letter of Referral (vouching for your honesty) to take with you just-in-case you are asked about it by the new Dr. That should be all they could possibly require to convince them of your trustworthiness. Good Luck and Best Wishes for Brighter Days! -- Burney

i am to being judged harshly by people and my own doctor i had have chronic pain for 6 years in the neck and my upper back. and my right shoulder even ssi looks at me like a person who should deal with it.right now i have been fighting them for a couple years now all because there is no way i am able to get up and go to work like this. i found out that i have a hernated disk and bone spurs whitch is getting pretty bad i have surgury this thursday 10-16-08 i'm scared and dont know if even the surgens are gonna treat me badly.. i know when i went to see my surgen his assistant was really rude tords me and my husband and child.. i wanted to sooo bad slap him. but i know that no matter what i say or do people are gonna treat me badly because of my body and what i take..

Lisa1972

10/29/08 5:59am

 I am also judged by people who have no clue what it feels like to suffer constant pain.I was always afraid of medicine,even antibiotics.Then when I was 33 years old,I was diagnosed with breast cancer.I had bilateral mastectomies,4 months of chemo and take Tamoxifen 2x a day.I was left with neuropathy,post-mastectomy pain syndrome due to nerves being cut during surgery and I had 19 lymph nodes removed under my right arm causing numbness and pain all the way to my fingertips.I have severe joint pain from the Tamoxifen on top of Fibromyalgia.I know it may sound crazy but my toes hurt so bad sometimes that it brings me to tears.My knees make it near impossible to get back up if I bend down.I have not seen a pain free minute since June 2006.I thank God everyday that I am still here with my 2 children but my quality of life is horrible,the pain affects every aspect of my daily life.I have no choice but to take narcotics now.I take Oxycontin,Roxicodone,Dilaudid,Lyrica,Provigil,Effexor XR,Coreg CR,Aldactone,Lisinopril and Tamoxifen regularly.I have heard snide comments at the pharmacy about needing a garbage bag to hold all the pills I take.I've had Drs tell me that I shouldn't be in pain now so stop the meds.I am blessed in the family department for the most part.My mother is also a chronic pain patient as is my husband of 19 years.My daughter also understands,she is 18,as well as my 10 year old son.I have a pretty good PM Dr right now but she has hired a nurse practioner that is not playing with a full deck.She tries to tell me you should be out of pills such and such so you don't get addicted.Last month I just told her the truth,I honestly don't care about addiction,if there is a pill and I am in pain,it's going down the old hatch.I don't abuse my meds,I keep them locked up and I have a terminal illness.It is sad that so many of us have to worry because of idiots who are chasing a high.I don't get high from my meds at all,I only get some pain relief.

amanda

10/29/08 11:02am

wow i know.. i'm 24 years old .. i have had my doctors tell my i'm to young to know pain.. i have my surgury done. now whats worse is that i'm in more pain then i was before? how can that be.. while i was at the hospilte for one night this nurse was sooo mean i cryed and cryed because the pain med... morghen was not working and i told the lady that and she just looked at me like.. i was this small pee in a hole and i couldn't move with out crying. finally i told that nurse to get my doctor on the phone right away i was done being in pain and i wanted something else. and finally she gave me something else that helped then god bless this other nurse morning nurse who came in and was soooo sweet and nice.. i had surgury on my neck. and now i have pain between my shoulder blades going down my spine and pain in my right side neck and my shoulder still.. i'm only on oxycodon.. 5 mil. but it helps i'm not complaning at least i have something to help and my faimly is soo ohelpful. god bless you all have to go thru this crap everyday.. i went threw years since i was 20. in pain and NOT 1 doctor believed me.. not one person cared about it.. i was in the hospitle in and out.. i just now got insureence and still i'm treated badly. all because the this pain that i have and i wish everyday i wake up in pain that it wasn't real that my body is playing tricks on me.. and wish that it could just go away and i could be normal like everyone else.. but still it hasn't happened.. god bless you all for going thru this... amanda h

At the age of 33 I began having swelling in my joints and within 3 months the pain began and now am in my 7th year of living with pain. I still do not know why I am in pain even though I have been to more doctors (including a psychiatrist) in these years than I have seen in my entire life. I have had numerous blood tests (they took 15 vials one time),x-rays, bone scans, soft tissue scans and when no conclusions were reached by these was told I needed an MRI - which my insurance company promptly refused. I was sent to a pain Dr. and was told that every other Dr. had treated me incorrectly and he acted as though I was just looking for drugs. If all I wanted was drugs then I could have found them much easier than spending all my time and money with all these Dr. appointments. I left that office in tears and never went back. I was naive enough to think that the doctors would tell me what was wrong. My best family Dr. moved away, which was devastating as I know she believed that I was in pain no matter what the tests show. I now depend on my rheumatologist for my pain meds. I can no longer afford to run tests as I lost my health insurance and everything is self pay. I cannot afford much as I cannot work and was not working before all this started as I was an at home mom raising my children. I no longer have friends due to not being able to do anything or make plans as I never know how much pain I will be in or how swollen I will be. I have been judged for the pain meds that I take as people think taking them cures the pain - so what am I complaing about?! The meds help with the pain enough that I can move around, do some laundry and cook meals (on best days), but I still cannot sit for long and when I stand too long my feet and ankles swell uncontrollably. When people ask what's wrong with me I still have no answer. I often wonder if it weren't for the swelling, would the doctors believe me? I no longer like to go out as people are always asking me why I am angry, or am I upset? No. I am in pain! I don't know how to put on a happy face through pain. Ends up looking like a grimace (at best) when I try.

 Before this I was a person who never took anything stronger than ibuprofen. I am now taking vicodin and ultracet, and am still in pain but am afraid to ask for anything stronger. I called my Dr. office this morning for a refill and was told by receptionist that the vicodin prescription now requires a Dr. appt every 3 months. I cannot afford this. My husband works very hard to support his family and I feel like a burden. I cost a lot and cannot contribute. I know he believes me. At least I have that. But I still feel like a burden.

Ellen

2/ 4/11 9:24am

My father has had back pain since 1963 and 3 back surgeries and a neck surgery.  He was on all kinds of pain medication and nothing really helped until now when someone told him about Kadian (or Kadien).  After 2 weeks the drug started to work and he's a different man.  Just go here and read what everyone says about it and the pain that they were in http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=20616&name=KADIAN&sort=gender&order=0

 

I hate seeing people in pain so if you are suffering, go to your doctor and see if he will give you a prescription for this.

 

Take good care!!

I hate to say it; but it is only going to get much worse!!!   Anyone that takes any kind of controlled RX and are not on death's door with horrible cancer pain will always be judged very harshly!   I have been on this earth for 41yrs. and have no idea what it feels like to not have pain!  I was 1st diagnosed w/ arthritis at only 7yrs. old.  There  was also some "mystery problem" that was very wrong w/ my nerves and muscles that they knew was causing alot of pain and other problems; but had never seen anything like it before in a child.  I was sent all over to many drs. and even ended up at one of the top shriners children"s hospital and even they were left scratching there heads.  I was a very active child despite all the pain and was started into figure skating and dance.   This became EVERYTHING to me and because I loved it so much I would deal with the horrible pain as I thought that everyone hurt like this.  At 11yrs. old it was all taken away after a very bad fall that messed up my knee and could not return to skating.   I worked so hard to heal doing everything that I was told; but no matter what I never healed right.  They still did not know why and would just say that I probably had some kind of genetic nerve/muscle problem because my grandma had something wrong with hers that made her head shake all the time.  They rediagnosed me w/ rhuematoid arthritis at 14yrs.  Over the years I went to more drs. that did all kind of horrible treatments and tests to "fix" me; but all they have done is make it much, much worse and still do not give me answers.  So far, fibromyalgia comes the closes to what they think it is; but there are still things that remain a mystery.  Like they say that fibro. does not cause damage to muscles and nerves; but in my case they are seeing damage that cannot be explained.  It has also started getting much worse causing shaking and severe pain and weakness that they say fibro. does not cause.  How do they know?  There are still a bunch of drs. out there that still believe it is all in your head or not real at all!!  It has gotten a little better; but they still have a long way to go.   I finally after years of fighting and trying EVERYTHING else 1st, gave into trying meds.  and had for the 1st time in my life some relief!  I have been on this rx rollercoaster over the last 16 yrs. and most people would not believe how I get treated!!  I am so SICK of it!!!  I did not choose this life; but I have to live it!  No one knows what it feels like to be me!!  Everytime someone in the public eye dies and they are on any rx either legal or illegal; I and many others like me suffer for it!!!  Having so called "experts" like dr. drew & jane v. that do not show all sides of the story and just show the neg. and bad parts to "joe public" then nothing will ever change!  Yes, being a mom myself, my heartbreaks everytime they show the poor, tragic parents holding a picture of the usually grown child that ODed on rx drugs! It always gets glossed over the fact that this "child" is either getting these drugs illegally or by going to a "pillmill" and they always have a bunch of other drugs or alcohol mixed in!!  I want to see the stories of long suffering people that got their lives back or were at the brink of suicide; but because of the right combo of meds. has allowed them to not only save their lives; but to actually live with a somewhat quality to enjoy!!!