Pain management doctor

[macnkids42057]

Hi everyone, praying for some help out there, at the end of my rope.  58 year old female, I have been with the same primary care doctor for 13 years and was on 50 mg Vicodin, and 75 mcg  Fentanyl patch daily for 13 years.  When I started I was up to 250 mcg patch and slowly brought myself down to 0 but found myself needing more Vicodin so went back up to 75.  I brought my dosage down because I wanted to go back to school and finish my degree, which believe it or not was as a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Counselor.  I'm one of the few who believe if someone is in chronic pain they should be able to get help with medications, and many insurances, especially Medicare will not pay for alternative procedures (I did have 5 shots in my spine which never helped and the last one actually did more damage to my lumbar).  I did not have a drug history before this car accident happened except for a limited experimentation when I was a teenager, which all stopped before I turned 18 and I was not on any medications for anything but Imitrex for migraines before the accident.  For 10 years my doctor told me that he thought my pain had more to do with my "emotional" problems than anything else, (I have a history of ritualistic physical and sexual abuse from both of my parents until I ran away at age 15 and then repeated the pattern in my adult relationships until 20 years ago I decided it was safer for me and my children to just stay alone than subject them to my poor choices in men).  I have been in counseling for 13 years straight where I have worked hard at making myself a better and more whole human being and have had several people write letters and fill out forms declaring I do not exhibit any "drug seeking" or "addictive" behavior since my doctor threatened a couple times to discontinue my medications.  3 years ago he finally sent me for an MRI that showed I had 3 different places in my spine, cervical and lumbar where the discs were protruding and/or herniated and pressing on 2 nerves in back, 1 in neck and the neurosurgeon that he sent me to told me if I move the wrong way, they will never be able to lesson the pain I'm in.  My doctor said "Well I don't know why he would tell you that.", as if I was lying, but he continued my medication.  Honestly, long ago I developed a tolerance to the meds where they have just been barely taking the edge off but the few times I mentioned it, my doctors response was to just take me off everything, so I learned not to bring it up.  I tried to move to SC several months ago with my daughter, because on 750 a month I was finding it impossible to live in CT anymore. My daughter wouldn't find a job and I was left supporting both of us on my disability plus cleaning up after her and caring a lot for my 8 month old grandson, plus I couldn't find anybody who would continue my meds without drastically reducing it and when I starting going through withdrawals, (first time in my life) I was totally honest with the ER and sent home 3 days in a row with blood pressure at 195/98, incredible pain and accused of being a drug addict and only trying to get pain meds from them.  I stated 2 days that I wasn't asking for pain meds, just something to help me get through withdrawals, they refused. The 4th day my daughter called ambulance because I tried to use the bathroom and passed out, I had been vomiting for a week straight, couldn't even hold water down.  The paramedic tested my sugar and found it to be 289, without drink or food and BP again was 195/98, (normal for me is between 128 and 138 high)  When I arrived at ER they started yelling at me in entry way, I was crying. The ER doctor came in and yelled at me that I would get nothing from them, the paramedic interrupted that my BS was 289.  They finally took a blood test and found my white count high so I had a cat scan where they found I was bleeding internally.  They suspected pancreatitis but "perplexed" as they said as to why I was bleeding inside my stomach and back.  Admitted me into ICU, of course put me back on high pain killers and kept me for 5 days.  (Still incredibly rude and discharged me without ever talking to me at end of 5th day).  To make a long story short, once the few pain meds they sent me home with were done, and because at this point I was so scared of withdrawals again...I believe that is what caused the bleeding since they never found a reason) so I checked into a detox for first and only time in my life and given suboxone which seemed to work very good for my pain.  I asked the doctor there if possible to continue this and he said if I would admit to being a drug addict, I refused.  Once I was able to get out of my bed, I returned to CT for my doctor and to receive the pain meds that at least helped me play with my grandson and gave me the ability to leave my bed.  He put me on suboxone which he was delighted to do, but it didn't have the same effect it did at the detox.  I was still in a lot of pain, especially in my neck and the dr said there was nothing they could give for breakthrough since it stops other medicines.  Plus my Medicare won't cover it and it cost me 118 for one week.  I went back to my doctor and asked to be put back on the original meds.  He went on and on about the CDC demanding that I only be allowed 25 mcgs patch and had to get me down to 30 Vicodin for the month, 10/325.  I have been floored.  I lost everything I owned in coming back and am now homeless waiting to be put in a shelter, but knowing without some pain control, I am unable to do much of anything, especially finding a new place to live, or operating on any decent level at all.  He rebuked me that my pain meds were dictating my life as far as not being able to move anywhere, but it's not the pain meds, it's the PAIN.  Is it true that he is not allowed by law to prescribe me more that 25 mcg patch and 30 Vicodin, one per day.  He said to me I don't understand what breakthrough pain is, it means to be on the patch-long acting med, and every few days or so need a pill to help with BT, but if that's the case, than isn't it more of an indication that the long-lasting pain med is not working well enough or isn't high enough?  I can't believe on top of everything else that I am also going through this.  I did not abuse my pain meds prescribed to me each month, I didn't get any illegal drugs, I did exactly what my doctor told me to do each month.  Is it my fault that they didn't cure me?  That I haven't gotten better, or that I have developed a tolerance?  I am not asking for higher dosages, but just the same, even though they are not a miracle remedy and just take off  the edge, I would settle for that.  I really never had a choice anyway.  Is it my fault that I was also a victim of abuse?  How could he or anyone else look at my MRI's and decide that it is because of the horrible things that happened to me that I am suffering now?  Even if that was true and the only explanation for my pain, which is far from the truth, how did I ask for that?  I desperately need a good doctor in CT which I know is hard to find.  Before my Medicare kicked in I was put on Medicaid, and even after 20 years of working and paying for my own insurance coverage, the first 12 doctors I went to when I came back to CT after my accident, told me flat out, they would never put someone with Medicaid on any sort of pain killers.  I need a doctor, some reliable info on this horrible war waged on legitimate chronic pain patients because of these people who have learned to abuse the system, (yet they are the ones who always seem to be able to get pain medication anyway) and if I have no other choice but to get back on suboxone, does anyone know what you can take for breakthrough that can be effective with Suboxone, besides Motrin and Tylenol?  Sorry for the length, sorry for taking your time.

[ChannahBracha]

OMG! That is just horrible how they have treated you! Too bad you can't come here where I live in Jax, Fla., and have a good pain doc. There are several here that are just as good as mine. I've been going to my PM doc for 9 years and have never had a problem. If I need more meds, they prescribe them, if I want less....that too. But I do understand how you feel. When I broke my hip and was taken by ambulance to "a" local hospital, they told me nothing was wrong but that I was seeking "drugs"!! Then they wheeled me out the door for my 93y.o. Dad to pick me up. I was in screaming pain, like I was going to die! The next day I went to a different hosp. which saw on the x-ray the break in my hip! I was in surgery the next morning and they gave me pain meds. even before the x-ray! I wrote a letter to that other hosp. but since I had no "lasting" disability from their negligence, there was nothing I could do by way of a law suit. So, you see, there's no justice for those in great pain! I really do feel for you and your frustration. I wish I had some sage like advice to give you but if you keep at it, I hope, someone will listen to you! You've been to 12 doctors who all refused you? That really sux!! Have you tried a neurologist? You have your MRI and that alone should be enough proof. Do you have Medicare, too? I would call them and see if they can help you. I have United Health care; Medicare Dual complete which includes Medicaid. Pls. keep us posted as to how you're doing. Bless you!  Shalom, Channah (Hannah)

[ChannahBracha]

I'm sorry I wrote all that! Isn't there a way for me to delete it? When I read it, I realized I was probably making her feel worse!

[SeattleBigGuy]

I feel the same way I was broke my hip when I was younger and that was 20 years ago and I need a full hip replacement but cant get one because I'm to young, and I'll be to hard on my hip. I've been on all kinds of pain meds from Norco 10/325 to 30mg morphine twice a day for long acting with 4mg dilaudid three times a day for breakthrough pain. This was the only one that has helped me even though it ***** being on pain meds but if it helps me with my day to day life then so be it right. I've then had my PM Dr. Take me off of those saying that having a long lasting med for pain isn't good and put me on Norco 5/325 twice a day now mind you I'm 6'6 just a tad under 6'7 and about 235lbs so I know that I'm not hard to miss when they see me. So the meds he has now put me on don't even touch the pain at all I have to take 4-5 at once to touch the pain and vicodon along with all pain meds have a 1/2 life so with vicodon the 1/2 life is 2 hours which means 1/2 of the medication has now left your system and is no longer working, now if my girlfriend took one pill it would affect her but due to my size it doesnt. And I feel guilty and feel that I look like an addict for wanting to be an active patient in what helps me but all they do is look down upon you, thanks to all the narc shoppers out there that go from doctor to doctor getting pills. Now I do know that the CDC has come out with new guidelines as far as prescribing pain medication and Vicodon has been moved to a different class of drug due to risk of addiction and I would look into that as I would also look up your patient rights as you have a ton of rights when it comes to your health care and not let the doctors bully you around. I hope whatever I said may help you and that maybe a doctor that has a heart and wants to help pepole and not just to get a check like a greedy a*$ will see this.

Brian

[GordonCook]

I don't think so. ChannaBracha.  God how cruel we can be to each other!!! God bless you macnkids!