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Avatar universal

Whats it like?

Hi, I'm new here and have been trying to find as many answers as I can before going to the new pain clinic. I have been in pain for years, lumbar pain and hip joint pain which are severe and often debilitating. I have gone to my family doctor before hoping to get the relief I need with no success, only to be refered to specialists in a vicious cycle. I have told him on many ocassions that hydrocodone formulations (vicodin, norco, lortab) do nothing for my pain and also have the side effect of keeping me awake at night. The only medication that I have tried so far that has minimal side effects and maximum pain relief is Percocet 10/325. If I ask for this medication he looks at me funny and says "thats kinda extreme". I don't understand why he would say this, maybe he thinks I'm some sort of doctor shopper or narcotic abuser looking to get high. I barely ever use the Percocet and most of the time I can make it with 400mg of Ibuprofen using the Percocet as an emergency med maybe once or twice a week at the most. I have never abused medications before as I know the dangers of doing such a thing. I believe that my doctor has been stereotyping me because of my age( I am 22). Sorry for rambling... My question is "when I go to the pain management doctor at the new clinic will I finally get the relief I need, or will I get another dirty look based on my age?" It is actions like this that cause patients to go to the street seeking relief, in effect putting them in more danger. I know that they monitor how often you are using the meds, isn't that enough to tell if someone is abusing? I guarantee that a 30 day supply of Percocet would last a few months maybe more the way I use them. Thank you for any replys and information, it really makes a difference. I'm just sooo frustrated of being in pain constantly just because there are abusers out there.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your support and replies. I do not wish to do anything outside of the law but with pain like this and no compassion from doctors I am forced into difficult situations. I am not doing this recreationally or for fun, I really need it. It takes me 10-15 minutes to get out of bed sometimes, I can't sleep, my appetite is diminishing, I am getting depressed etc. I will stop using familly members meds, but this will mean frequent ER visits and a very expensive medical bill. Last time I went to the ER I was there for five hours before being admitted. I don't know what to do anymore and my insurance has not yet cleared the pain management referal.
It should not be this hard to get relief, pain medication was designed for a reason; to treat pain. If doctors won't prescribe the medications they should all be discontinued! I'm sorry for my impatience, I'm really at the end of my rope and am begining to see what matters most to doctors...money. I look forward to hearing from more people who have gone through the same situation and how you got through it.
Thanks again, BigRed
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi BigRed,

Welcome to our Pain Management Community. I am sorry to hear about your undiagnosed pain.

Please do not take family members or friends medications. This is illegal and can land you and your family in a ton of hot water. The ppl who are sharing with you, though they are trying to be kind, risk losing the privilege of having pain medications prescribed for them again and possible prosecution. I do not mean to sound harsh I am just trying to warn you of the seriousness of this practice.

Obviously you need to find a medical provider that can diagnosis the cause of your pain. I may sound like a broken record but have you had your SIJ (sacroiliac joint) evaluated. I went for years with similar pain and no diagnosis until a smart Doctor of Osteopathy determined my SIJ had been dysfunctional for years.  Many physicians to not recognize the signs and symptoms or the seriousness of a SIJ problem. I would ask your new PMP if this could be a possibility.

As others have said you should always build a honest and trusting relationship with any physician. I wish you well and hope that you will let us know how you are doing. I will look  forward to your updates. Take Care, Tuck
Helpful - 0
535089 tn?1400673519
Hello BigRed and welcome to the Pain Forum:

Sorry to hear of the constant battle with your Doctor. My advise to you is not to ask for a certian drug. I know this is what works best but because of your age and the fact that it is a stronger narcotic, I wouldn't ask for it. He will probley ask you what you have tried and what medications have worked best for you and at this point I would tell him that you have tried both Hydrocodone (vicodin) and Oxycodone (percocet) and the oxycodone keeps the pain at bay.

I don't know what you insurance information situation is but if that is a factor, tell him that you cannot afford to pay for a drugs that might not be effective, that you know what has worked for you in the past and are comfortable paying for a working medication.

As Jolly and Tanglewood said, it is very important to have an honest relationship with your new Doc and it takes time to build a solid relationship to where he is comfortable prescribing what you ask for.

Please take care and good luck with your appt.

Mollyrae
Helpful - 0
712802 tn?1274645485
I am sorry you are having so much pain - your story sounds like a lot of stories on this forum; including mine. My primary care physician  (pcp) referred me to a pain management physician (pmp) and it has been a good move for me. Everyone is different, including doctors, but the pmp is better qualified to deal with your issue "pain" and can help you more than your family doctor or pcp. This is just my opinion but I think it is extremely important to develop an honest relationship with your pmp so that he/she feels comfortable giving you whatever pain meds or other treatments you need. Your pmp might also test your blood to see what you have been taking. However, getting controled substances from family members is illegal and all doctors are required by law to report it - which could get your family members in trouble. On the other hand, I don't think anyone would blame you or them and it underscores how desperate you are for relief. If it was me I would not take any more meds from anyone else - period! I probably would not mention it to the pmp, but I would tell the pmp that I've been taking OTC (over the counter) meds, drinking alcohol, and whatever else I could do to relieve the pain. Avoid getting yourself and your family members in trouble, but otherwise be totally honest. Again, this is just my opinion - hopefully others will post and address that issue and you will have other opinions to weigh in. Good luck with the pmp - they have all sorts of approaches and tools to help you; work with the pmp and you should be in good hands as long as your pmp has a good reputation.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the reply, I will be honest with this new doctor because I know that the relationship is very important. I can't imagine being in pain for 16yrs, the amount of pain I have been in for the two and a half years is enough that I've already contemplated a world without me. I just feel that I'm useless, I can't even hold a job because of this pain. The worst part is that they still have no diagnosis which makes it that much harder to convince them that I am in pain.
Should I be honest and tell the new doctor that I have been taking other familly members medication(with permission of course) because I can't find relief? Or should I just let it be? I have worked so hard to find relief, I don't want to screw up this opportunity at a new life.
Helpful - 0
518031 tn?1295575374
i have been in chronic pain for about 16 yrs i bounced from one specialist to the other i finally had a dr refer to a pain amngemnet dr.. that was 4 years ago now..when you go there explain your pain i am sure he will look at yoyr reocords and history.. let him decide the best why to try to treat you.. if what he gives you doesnt work then telkl him.. its a relationship of honesty...
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