Panic Stricken Chronic Pain Pt.

[DoxieDude]

I am a long term (since 2003) sufferer of Chronic Lower Back & Leg pain (in BOTH legs), have been legally prescribed  opioid pain medication,since '03.. I was experiencing good results,with (2) hydro codone 10/500, every six hours P.R.N. Until suffering another serious back injury,in lumbar spine (1) st injury,was not responsive to microdiscotomy- to decompress L5,S1 disc.. In '11, My 2nd surg. Was also ineffective in relieving pain.. (2) additional surgeries,to repair L5,S1 & L4 L5,have never relieved the severe chronic pain,I am living with every day.. In all,after (4) surgical procedures,since 2004,have left me disabled (SSI-D) since '11...  My current prescriptions include Citralopam 40mg.; Lorazapam 1mg.(Both Med.s are for depression & anxiety.. Which my chronic pain condition,has caused.)  Due to long term use; my (Former PCP) strengthened my pain medication,to Oxycodone 30mg. (1) 4 hr.s P.R.N. Since fall of 2011,This has been my ONLY SOURCE OF RELIEF, permitting me to live a far better quality of life... Now, I am forced to find another Physician,to manage my pain... I am terrified,by the very real possibility,that No Physician,will prescribe the MED.S THAT WORK BEST.. Can you offer me ANY ASSISTANCE, or ADVICE..???

[philnoir]

Your medical records will document the efficacy of your former medication regimen. If that's not evidence enough, find a REAL pain doctor.

[sblythe]

If possible, get a letter from your former physician saying that you were consistent in your use of medication, didn't demand increased doses and early refills, etc. (if true).  You want to make you new physician understand that you were not a pain-in-the-a** patient. In my state we have a state database that records all opiate prescriptions. It makes sure that patients aren't doctor-shopping. It actually helps patients a lot of the time - when I look up a new patient and see that they have been consistent with their use of medication for a long time, it is reassuring to me that they are a responsible patient. Unfortunately for some patients with serious pain, some doctors feel that  opiates are somehow bad medications, and I have heard people describe a specific amount of opiate medication as "excessive". That is nonsense. "Excessive" would be defined only in terms of more than necessary to relieve someone's pain, and that amount is a function of the pain, of the patient's tolerance to pain, the patient's response to the medication, and the patient's tolerance which might have developed to opiate medications over time.