I understand at a fundamental level why 'Doctors' are so hesitant to hand out any sort of medicine due to the supposed legal ramifications from Big Brother, I mean the DEA, but I'm starting to wonder why those same hesitant Doctor folk are so avid to hand out 'other' drugs, drugs that can have far worse side-effects, but are 'useless' on the street level because they offer no feeling of well being or whatever it is the dopers are after.
Funny how drugs like Ambien, any battery of SSRI's, Blood pressure meds, Nerve Blockers, just about anything really besides "pain pills" are handed out at a disgusting rate, and most tout equal if not worse adverse reactions than a pain pill does. 'Suicidal thought and ideation' on SSRIs, Ambien causing people to sleep eat/drive/****/fall down stairs and get hurt, diarreah and seizures from Gabapentin, etc. And guess what, take too many of ANY pill and you're going to friggin die. Guess I should stock up my Ambien now while I can, only a matter of time before people start dying from those things trying to use them in inscrupulous ways.
I was prescribed one pill, one pill that made it so I could mow my lawn and not be in agony. One pill so I could spend time with my aging family and enjoy the outdoors some and try and figure my own life out. One pill that in essence, prevented me from being a staggering **** to everyone I meet (anyone in chronic pain I'm sure can attest, my rage and anger are multiplied by hundreds when I'm in pain)
I was prescribed this, let's call it magic, no wait, voodoo dark magic (as that's what they're seemingly labeling as on TV slash by the DEA) pill, at a moderate dosage, just for use on days that 'are bad.' It was 10mg of Oxycodone, 325 of Ace... 3 times a day (as needed) A paltry dose. The Dr that prescribed; did so because I 'was clearly in pain, and though she couldn't diagnose me, she felt I should have some comfort whilst awaiting further testing' That initial scrip is naturally gone by now, 40 10mg pills lasted me about 30 some odd days.
Now that doctor will not refill them as she cannot give an accurate diagnosis and treating with narcos without a 'diagnosis' is bad juju.
So now that means I am left with nothing. Nothing but the memory of a little pill that could help me achieve a reasonable quality of life that I cannot otherwise do.
That's not all, now I get to explain my story to every single Nurse, and Dr, and specialist, and everyone else who asks,only to get looked at like I'm a junkie trying to score a quick fix, or I'm going to run down to the corner and hustle them off for a few bucks. Seriously. Every single healthcare provider I've encountered LOOKS at me like I'm scum, and feel the need to open their spiel with "We don't prescribe narcotics, just so you know" or "You are way too young to get hooked on those things"
I'll have you know I'm not scum, I am a wounded and injured USMC combat veteran. Yeah, I'm still young 26y/o, and apparently I don't know what pain feels like(because war is painless, so are IEDs and torn ligaments), and even though 18 wasn't 'too young' to be trained to murder on your collective behalf that 26 IS too young to be adequately treated for those wounds (as well as others)
But no DR I've seen, VA Doctor, Civilian GP Doctor, Civvie and VA Pain Management 'specialist' will prescribe me what I already know works. Nor can they give an accurate diagnosis. "Sometimes your body just hurts and we don't know why" thanks for being so honest dipshit I'm paying thousands to, but can you humor me and give it the old college try? No no no wait...
... Here's a rundown of every appt.
DERPTER*internet colloquialism for idiot is the prefix DERP by the way*: "Did you hurt it somehow?"
ME: "I don't recall, it happened in bootcamp and has been nearly continuous since that point, activity sets it off, and it has been ongoing for 6 years now" (fully corroborating medical records available)
DR: "ok, did you do PT for it?
ME: "yes, didn't help it"
DR: Hmmm, what about Ice and Heat?
ME: *about here is where I start to get mad... no your excellence I wasn't smart enough to try cold or hot compresses before seeking hospital level care* YES I did try that
DR: XRAYs and MRIS?
ME: YES, plenty of both, probably have cancer now thanks.
DR: Hmmm looks normal to me.
ME: Yes, that is what they have ALL said so far. But it STILL hurts. It's borderline ruining the life of a 26 year old male, it's clearly serious.
DR: Well what about OTC Ibuprofen, that must help?
ME: No, no over the counter anything helps, list format: Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetiminophen, Excedrin WITH caffeine, Capcasin Cream, Bengay muscle cream.
DR: And you were prescribed........
ME: Tizanadine, Nortriptyline, Cyclobenzaprine, lidocaine patches, and Oxycodone/ace
DR: And?
ME: Only the Oxy seemed to work... guess that rules out muscle problems right, since 2 separate muscle relaxers didn't help? Neither did lidocaine... I tried explaining that the pain feels much 'deeper' than something a topical numbing compound would help with.
DR: No, not necessarily. Scheduled to 'Trigger spots next month'
ME, to myself: Glad I have to wait ANOTHER month of my life in pain. Hope the tripper points works.
And I'm about to flip **** when this appt comes and goes if I have no relief. I am at wits end. I get so mad that I have to deal with this and that there ARE options, but nobody wants to try them because I'm going to become a lunatic junky on a pill that I took no more than 3 times a week.
So GODDAMN aggrevating. Since when in this country is it OK to deny people something based on the fact that they could potentially use it in an other than intended manner.
My MRI and Xray of Neck/Upper Back, Shoulder area, are all grossly intact showing no discrepancies. I am STILL in pain though. They said it can't be Fibro because its only that area. I say its not a muscle sprain/strain/spasm because why would it last 6-7 years and not heal? Any other ideas?