Friday, January 16, 2009 torn2pieces asks

Q: My rheumatologist says pain meds are a cover up!!

I have very active rheumatiod Arthrits , Constant flares and The only pain med he will give me is darvocet. As many people know with a Flare up Darvocet will not even touch the pain and he don't even like to refill them. So I have to use them wisley. I don't want to cover anything up I would just like to make it a little more bearable so I was wondering if anyone else don't get any pain meds. Should I be looking for a different doctor or is it common?  

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Answers (6)
JB, Editor
1/30/09 2:05pm

You may need a new doctor OR you may need to work with your current doctor to get the treatment and medication you need to manage your condition -- it's your body and your condition and no one else's so you know how you feel and what you need better than you.

 

Read Lene Andersen's post about 5 Things to Look for in a Rheumatologist for ideas o n how to work better you with your doctor or for how to find another one.

 

Good luck!

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1/17/09 10:56am

Your doctor is an insensitive idiot. He's clearly never experienced this kind of pain himself. My doctor has me on morphine. This after we tried every other pain med out there. Darvocet is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Maybe it's time to change doctors or appeal to your General Physician. I'll pray for you.  

~Lorrie

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1/19/09 9:19am

Hello!  I know that when I asked my Rheumy for a refill on my vicioden, she told me that the pain meds will just masked the problem, and the key is to keep down inflammation and if that is controled, then the pain should be.  So, she raised my medication, and with little luck, I still have pain.  She wanted to wait and see how the meds work before she gave me anything for pain.

Well, because the pain is so bad, I just went to my family doctor and he gave me medicine for the pain.   If your pain is so bad, call your rheumy and let them know.

If you dont get anywhere, then maybe it maybe time for a new rheumy.

I went through 3 rheumatologist until I found one that is right for me. And I am glad that I did, she is great.

Good luck! 

 

 

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1/30/09 2:10pm

I agree your rheumatologist is an idiot. 1 - There is something called the pain inflamation cycle - not completely understood medically, but inflamation causes pain causes inflamation causes pain . . . You have to stop the cycle, and that means stopping/controlling both. 2 - Pain causes stress which aggrivates your arthritis (inflamation). It can also trigger panic attacks, depression and more - which ALL aggrivate your arthritis (imflamation). I'm to the point after months on Methotrexate and prednisone (which I'm almost off of) that Darvocet will take the edge off - but not in the beginning. It took Oxycodone, which my rheumatologist prescribed after trying lesser pain killers. But he did not hesitate to go to a stronger pain killer when the lesser ones were not effective. Find a new doctor ASAP! Topically, analgesics containing Emu oil, and a spray called Thera Pain Plus (both you can find on the internet or health type stores) also help. Additionally, vitamin C is the natural prednisone - you can't overdose on it, keep increasing the dose until it causes any 'intestinal distress' then back off. I take 10,000mg a day and it helps. Hang in there - it does get better.

 

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2/ 6/09 7:29am

hey girl, i can guarantee you that if you were that doctor's daughter, mother or grandmother you'd be taking something significant for pain.  if your doctor is treating your RA with RA meds, then using pain meds is not a cover up.  RA causes severe pain, all of us know that.  i would have to say that 95% of those diagnosed with RA have to take something for pain, beyond tylenol.  have you tried ultram (tramadol), i take it and vicodin on occasion.  sometimes, even with alternating those 2 and taking tylenol on top of them i don't get relief.  yes, you need pain medicine.  ask him to send you to a pain clinic if you feel like you need to continue to see him.  if he won't do either, then find another doctor.  i know in my area there aren't but 5 rheumatologists.  it's kind of an unwritten rule - don't make your rheumatologist mad.  good luck to you, melanie

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5/ 9/09 10:14pm

LOOK FOR A DIFFERENT DR.  BEST TO GO TO A PAIN CLINIC.  I GET 100 HYDRCODONE

  A   MONTH . 3 REFILLS AT A TIME.  EVEN THIS DOES NOT TAKE ALL THE PAIN AWAY.  BUT IT ALLOWS ME TO FUNCTION MORE.  I KNOW HOW BAD YOU HURT AND A DR. SHOULD UNDERSTAND.  THERE IS NO REASON TO BE IN PAIN.  GOOD LUCK..

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8/18/10 11:26pm

I have a doctor that wont write a script either.  How can I go to a pain clinic? what do I need to bring to the clinic to get some type of relief?  I have rhemetoid arthritis in every joint even my jaw.  Most days my mom comes to my house to get me out of bed its that bad.  I dont work and dont know where to turn.  plus my ins is free from the county I live in so the doctor is the worst I have ever been to.  what should I do.  kmflorida

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10/30/10 3:26am

hi km,

first thing: your dr should lose his license. upon medical school graduation, he swore to an oath, to protect and treat any patient. now, some docs like to play cop, and they wont give a cancer patient codeine. they are pricks, and trust me, there is a cold rock in purgatory they will sit on for a few hundred years to reflect on their neglect. second: your illness is famous for severe pain. you need to report him for neglect. the fda and drug enforcement will investigate the prick-and he'll be the one shitting his pants. third: call your practice but request another MD, or try another clinic or hospital. report the situation and ask for a second opinion on your illness. now another doc will know your story and know your hurting. lastly: find your cities pain clinic and book appointment. bring all records and xrays-if they demand pcp referral you can tell them he refuses to help you. And they have to. even addicts are to be treated properly and adequately, however followed and watched closely while on an opiate. your doc is a dick. and he will be working at taco bell soon...good luck doll!

 

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By torn2pieces— Last Modified: 12/23/10, First Published: 01/16/09