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Question regarding halting morphine
I am new to forums, posting anyway, I read several of them dailey and have found them to be an excellent source of support. I now find myself in a situation I need some advice with.
In 2001 I underwent surgery for Carpel Tunnel Syndrom, It was present in both left and right arms, but I opted to have them done one at a time so I would have at least one hand to use. I had my right side done first (as I am a lefty) and all seemed to go well until two days after surgery I started experiancing severe pain in my right wrist, shooting from my wrist down to my thumb and pointer & middle fingers and up to my elbow and my shoulder at times. My right hand began feeling like it was wrapped in plastic wrap and to today, I have very little feeling in my thumb, pointer and middle fingers. The surgeon increased my pain meds from Vicoden to Percocet and increased dosages several times to no effect. The surgeon reffered me to a local pain clinic. Over the next few weeks, my right hand was constantly sweating, became extremely sensitve to cold and I developed vertical lines in my fingernails on the right side only. This was the first time I had ever heard the phrase 'Chronic Pain Syndrom'.
I opted NOT to have my left hand operated on.
I saw the doc at the pain clinic and had a bone density scan (which was normal) and x-rays (again, normal). He gave me Gaglion (sp?) Blocks which had no effect. He put me on MASSIVE dosages of Neurontin and increased the dose just about every month over the year he treated me until I was taking something like 2K mg. day and continued the same dosage of Percocet my surgeon had me on, and refered me to a phyciatrist, I never felt he took me or my pain seriously, every visit when he would write my scripts for the pain meds, he made it a point to say to me "You can't stay on these forever, you've just got to get over the pain and get on with it!" As I said then, and still say today, I wish I could !! For this year + I was sleeping VERY little, perhaps and hour or two at a time every night, the rest of the time the pain was so severe, the only way I could get even a little relief was to lay on my right side with my right arm extended over my head causing it to "fall asleep" the relief was little, but relief is relief. The phyciatrist didn't help at all, I got the impression he to felt it was all in my head (regardless of the physical symptoms anyone with eyes could plainly see). He said it was all happening because I was depressed and put me on Prozac. I agreed that I was depressed, but I was so BECAUSE of the pain, not HAVING pain because of depression. The Prozac helped a little with my outlook on life, but the pain continued with practically no relief what-so-ever and I developed a tremor in my right hand which continues to today.
I quickly started to give up all hope of ever having any type of life that was worth living. It drastically effected my wife and my two children who where 11 and 12 at the time. They were watching me waiste away, I went from fit 190Lbs. at the start and after being treated at the pain clinic for just over a year, I was a sickly 125Lbs., (and looking for a way out). I guess it was lucky that we had been forced to sell my collection of firearms to pay rent and bills while we fought for Social Security Disability (another story for another day!) because I was unable to work. Otherwise .......
Eventually I was told about another doc (a Neurologist) who a close friend had told about my situation and was interested in seeing me. This doctor basically saved my life. He diagnosed RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy aka CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which was the result of the carpel tunnel surg. I had undergone. His diagnosis was confirmed by another doctor in his group (who I have been told is not so easily convinced)
Over the course of six months or so, he increased my pain meds from 2 Percocet a day (that I had been taking for about a year and a half) and put me on Morphine and Fentanyl patch, increasing dosages until I was able to get some relief. He concluded that because I had had no relief for so long, it would take larger dosages than normal. Eventually we found the combo of 100mg Fentanyl Patch every other day, 200mg MS Contin, 2X day along with (2) 30mg MSIR a day for breakthrough pain all of which I have been on for almost 5 years now.
Believe it or not, the meds don't effect me all too much, occasional constipation and/or upset stomach but I don't feel 'high' at all and I am able to function mentally. I am still very limited physically, if I 'over do' it, the pain makes itself known. But I am able to go for about an hour (with sitting breaks) walking around a mall or store once, maybe twice a week, (which would have been impossible prior). I am now able to sleep 3-4 hours a night, but I'm still constantly awoken by the pain, so I basically nap for a total of 3-4 hours a night, and I usually take several short (1/2 hr) naps during the day ... but it is much better than before.
Now I find myself in a very confusing situation. I was told last Friday by my doctors secretary that I have to find a pain clinic within the next 30 days or else my meds will be reduced until stopped all together. I asked why this was and was told it was the 'doctors orders', no reason, no explanation. I have never done anything against this doctors wishes/orders and I thought we had a really good patient/doctor relationship. I asked for him to call me, but as of today I have not heard from him.
I have discussed with him in the past that I have a SEVERE fear of any doctors .. I guess you could call it a phobia I have had all my life. I only initially saw the first surgeon for the carpel tunnel because of the pain had increased over the course of a year or so until I just couldn't take it anymore and broke down and made the appointment.
Currently I am pre-occupied as my daughter is expecting my first grand child (a girl) any day now and is having some problems with diabetes and some other related issues, and now this?
At this point, I am overwhelmed.
I guess what I have been getting around to is this, can anyone tell me how long would the decrease of the morphine down to nothing take after taking so much of it for so long? I guess I would like to know how long I would have to enjoy my grand daughter before I am back to square one.
I simply CAN NOT go through all of that again. I just don't have the strength physically or mentally (nor does my family).
Is there some sort of set guidelines the doctors go by?
Any and all help is appreciated.
Rob
In 2001 I underwent surgery for Carpel Tunnel Syndrom, It was present in both left and right arms, but I opted to have them done one at a time so I would have at least one hand to use. I had my right side done first (as I am a lefty) and all seemed to go well until two days after surgery I started experiancing severe pain in my right wrist, shooting from my wrist down to my thumb and pointer & middle fingers and up to my elbow and my shoulder at times. My right hand began feeling like it was wrapped in plastic wrap and to today, I have very little feeling in my thumb, pointer and middle fingers. The surgeon increased my pain meds from Vicoden to Percocet and increased dosages several times to no effect. The surgeon reffered me to a local pain clinic. Over the next few weeks, my right hand was constantly sweating, became extremely sensitve to cold and I developed vertical lines in my fingernails on the right side only. This was the first time I had ever heard the phrase 'Chronic Pain Syndrom'.
I opted NOT to have my left hand operated on.
I saw the doc at the pain clinic and had a bone density scan (which was normal) and x-rays (again, normal). He gave me Gaglion (sp?) Blocks which had no effect. He put me on MASSIVE dosages of Neurontin and increased the dose just about every month over the year he treated me until I was taking something like 2K mg. day and continued the same dosage of Percocet my surgeon had me on, and refered me to a phyciatrist, I never felt he took me or my pain seriously, every visit when he would write my scripts for the pain meds, he made it a point to say to me "You can't stay on these forever, you've just got to get over the pain and get on with it!" As I said then, and still say today, I wish I could !! For this year + I was sleeping VERY little, perhaps and hour or two at a time every night, the rest of the time the pain was so severe, the only way I could get even a little relief was to lay on my right side with my right arm extended over my head causing it to "fall asleep" the relief was little, but relief is relief. The phyciatrist didn't help at all, I got the impression he to felt it was all in my head (regardless of the physical symptoms anyone with eyes could plainly see). He said it was all happening because I was depressed and put me on Prozac. I agreed that I was depressed, but I was so BECAUSE of the pain, not HAVING pain because of depression. The Prozac helped a little with my outlook on life, but the pain continued with practically no relief what-so-ever and I developed a tremor in my right hand which continues to today.
I quickly started to give up all hope of ever having any type of life that was worth living. It drastically effected my wife and my two children who where 11 and 12 at the time. They were watching me waiste away, I went from fit 190Lbs. at the start and after being treated at the pain clinic for just over a year, I was a sickly 125Lbs., (and looking for a way out). I guess it was lucky that we had been forced to sell my collection of firearms to pay rent and bills while we fought for Social Security Disability (another story for another day!) because I was unable to work. Otherwise .......
Eventually I was told about another doc (a Neurologist) who a close friend had told about my situation and was interested in seeing me. This doctor basically saved my life. He diagnosed RSD or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy aka CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome which was the result of the carpel tunnel surg. I had undergone. His diagnosis was confirmed by another doctor in his group (who I have been told is not so easily convinced)
Over the course of six months or so, he increased my pain meds from 2 Percocet a day (that I had been taking for about a year and a half) and put me on Morphine and Fentanyl patch, increasing dosages until I was able to get some relief. He concluded that because I had had no relief for so long, it would take larger dosages than normal. Eventually we found the combo of 100mg Fentanyl Patch every other day, 200mg MS Contin, 2X day along with (2) 30mg MSIR a day for breakthrough pain all of which I have been on for almost 5 years now.
Believe it or not, the meds don't effect me all too much, occasional constipation and/or upset stomach but I don't feel 'high' at all and I am able to function mentally. I am still very limited physically, if I 'over do' it, the pain makes itself known. But I am able to go for about an hour (with sitting breaks) walking around a mall or store once, maybe twice a week, (which would have been impossible prior). I am now able to sleep 3-4 hours a night, but I'm still constantly awoken by the pain, so I basically nap for a total of 3-4 hours a night, and I usually take several short (1/2 hr) naps during the day ... but it is much better than before.
Now I find myself in a very confusing situation. I was told last Friday by my doctors secretary that I have to find a pain clinic within the next 30 days or else my meds will be reduced until stopped all together. I asked why this was and was told it was the 'doctors orders', no reason, no explanation. I have never done anything against this doctors wishes/orders and I thought we had a really good patient/doctor relationship. I asked for him to call me, but as of today I have not heard from him.
I have discussed with him in the past that I have a SEVERE fear of any doctors .. I guess you could call it a phobia I have had all my life. I only initially saw the first surgeon for the carpel tunnel because of the pain had increased over the course of a year or so until I just couldn't take it anymore and broke down and made the appointment.
Currently I am pre-occupied as my daughter is expecting my first grand child (a girl) any day now and is having some problems with diabetes and some other related issues, and now this?
At this point, I am overwhelmed.
I guess what I have been getting around to is this, can anyone tell me how long would the decrease of the morphine down to nothing take after taking so much of it for so long? I guess I would like to know how long I would have to enjoy my grand daughter before I am back to square one.
I simply CAN NOT go through all of that again. I just don't have the strength physically or mentally (nor does my family).
Is there some sort of set guidelines the doctors go by?
Any and all help is appreciated.
Rob
dont understand what a ganglion block is. a ganglion is a simple cyst easy to remove if its troubling you why not have it removed.?
most drs. today want you to go to a pain mangement dr if you are going to be on long term pain meds. they are getting so kmuch flak from the DEA..they turn you over to a pain dr. i go to one have for the last 4 years and i trhink he is a very good dr. so that is probably why they are having you do this.. the laws on writing pain meds is getting tough for drs.
Hello Rob,
Welcome to the Pain Management Community. My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for all your suffering and now facing this very real threat of losing your pain medications. Your saga sounds all too familiar. If you have been reading the threads here very long you know many of our members (including me) have experienced in part what you have gone through. It is a horrible plight.
It will probably take that month or more to gradually wean you off the medications. And still at the end of the month you will require some sort of pain relief along with other supportive medications.
I am not familiar with your state protocol. In my state PM Clinics do not prescribe narcotics but is many states they do. I suggest you learn about your state's approach to CP treatment. If there are PM Clinics that will prescribe you medications and follow your care than call today for an appointment. If that is not the case than ask your current physician for a referral to another physician that is willing to take over your care. I can only guess the reasons your current physician has decided on this course of action with you. Make an appointment and discuss your situation with him. You have no time to waste. Your search for proper treatment may take awhile.
You are on huge doses of opiates. Of course you don't get "high". None of us do that require opiates for true pain. It is the abusers that find the high in these types of drugs.
Don't give up. Find the strength and courage to be assertive in your care and pursue it. There are other physicians that will treat you, especially now you have a diagnosis. Do your best to overcome the fear of physicians. Remember they are just as human as we are, though some act otherwise. Many of us have found caring supportive PCP or PMP. They do exist. My PCP is like a friend and I would have never believed that to be possible five years ago.
Being a grandparent is a wonderful adventure. I am hopeful your daughter will deliver a healthy baby girl. I wish her the very best. Medical science has made great progress in the treatment of pregnancy in diabetics.
Make haste in locating physician for your care. Some members do not get a month's notice before their medications are stopped. Other members will post with their ideas and suggestions. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates with interest. We are here to support and assist you in any way we can. I am not sure if he have active members in your state of MH. I wish you the best. Please take care, Tuck
Welcome to the Pain Management Community. My heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for all your suffering and now facing this very real threat of losing your pain medications. Your saga sounds all too familiar. If you have been reading the threads here very long you know many of our members (including me) have experienced in part what you have gone through. It is a horrible plight.
It will probably take that month or more to gradually wean you off the medications. And still at the end of the month you will require some sort of pain relief along with other supportive medications.
I am not familiar with your state protocol. In my state PM Clinics do not prescribe narcotics but is many states they do. I suggest you learn about your state's approach to CP treatment. If there are PM Clinics that will prescribe you medications and follow your care than call today for an appointment. If that is not the case than ask your current physician for a referral to another physician that is willing to take over your care. I can only guess the reasons your current physician has decided on this course of action with you. Make an appointment and discuss your situation with him. You have no time to waste. Your search for proper treatment may take awhile.
You are on huge doses of opiates. Of course you don't get "high". None of us do that require opiates for true pain. It is the abusers that find the high in these types of drugs.
Don't give up. Find the strength and courage to be assertive in your care and pursue it. There are other physicians that will treat you, especially now you have a diagnosis. Do your best to overcome the fear of physicians. Remember they are just as human as we are, though some act otherwise. Many of us have found caring supportive PCP or PMP. They do exist. My PCP is like a friend and I would have never believed that to be possible five years ago.
Being a grandparent is a wonderful adventure. I am hopeful your daughter will deliver a healthy baby girl. I wish her the very best. Medical science has made great progress in the treatment of pregnancy in diabetics.
Make haste in locating physician for your care. Some members do not get a month's notice before their medications are stopped. Other members will post with their ideas and suggestions. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates with interest. We are here to support and assist you in any way we can. I am not sure if he have active members in your state of MH. I wish you the best. Please take care, Tuck
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