BP and Chronic Pain

[LeftCoastChick]

I have osteoarthritis in my lower spine and my GP is refusing to give me pain management. Does anyone get in so much pain that it triggers the mood swings?  I've tried to explain it to my doctor to no avail.  I've begged to get into the pain management clinic, but everytime I ask, it gets brushed off. I'm frustrated, angry and bordering on going into a serious depression again. I'm not suicidal or anything, but I can feel the depression creeping back in. I know my patience level is very very low, so I've avoided people more then normal.  Any suggestions to approach my GP in a better manner?  Maybe I'm not explaining myself well enough.

[Narnia41]

Chronic pain definitely has an effect on BP for me, I really understand where you're coming from.  If you are in such pain then it definitely can be a trigger for depression and fatigue.

I take a combination of Cymbalta and Tegretol..both are apparently good for pain, but I also take analgaesics when it's bad.  I have multi level cervical disc prolapse & fibromyalgia...as well as BP rapid cycling..happy days!

You really must pursue your docs for pain management, I don't understand why they won't support you with this...it is vital for you your mental wellbeing...there is nothing worse than being in physical pain along with fighting mood swings at the same time.

Good Luck

[LeftCoastChick]

@ ILAD - I'm going to broach the subject with my GP again on Wednesday. I'm even going to bring in my bottle of Ativan to prove to her that I don't abuse my prescribed meds. I should have already of run out of ativan if I took it as prescribed, but I don't need it as often because I am managing my anxiety better. I hate taking more pills then I have to, so I am very conservative with my meds and only take what I've been prescribed for MS/AP's.

@buttlebee
I should be taking my Omega'3's, but I get so sick of taking pills - even though my vit's are staring at my face on my desk lol.  I wish I could do acupuncture, in BC they don't cover it as therapy. I used acupuncture after I originally slipped my L5 back in erm 1995 and it was a godsend, I went down from heavy duty narcotics to T3's pretty quickly, then down to T1's within a week or two. They attached electrodes to the needles so that it gave a better "jolt" to the nerves. It was fantastic therapy, I just wish I could afford it.
I do stretches in the morning on my bed, some mornings I get stuck, I literally have my muscles so badly in spasm i can't move. I slowly have to turn around, then I grit my teeth and stretch with some basic yoga moves. It's getting worse and worse though. I couldn't move yesteday for over 30mins. I'm 40 not 90 and growing older is starting to scare the poop out of me!

Thank you both for your help and insight,
*hugs*
LCC

[buttlebee]

heya hurney,
thanks for the help the other day....in regards to ya osteoathritis pain...i have osteo in both hips which has now left me with no cartlige in the hips...I find that fish oil gives an antiinflammitory effect that should reduce your pain and as a bonus have just found out that it helps to boost BP drugs in a good way.  Also i find that yoga and acupunture are of great benefit to me.  I am also hiv positive so they tend not to want to pescribe me anymore pills than the 22 that i take each day...lol...remember they are only modern day witchdoctors and we are all generally just experiments for them....trust me ive been on more studies that i have had hot breakfasts...
cheers PJ xx

[ILADVOCATE]

  Well I can only comment for the U.S. that some doctors are a bit too obsessive in not prescribing neccessary medications if they technically controlled substances. Some psychiatrists I've ran into as a rule won't prescribe any benzos. For anyone. The best approach is to explain to them you have a pre-existing diagnosis that requires pain management and that you have always been responsible with pain medication and physically need it. I can't comment as regards seeking a second opinion or a specialist which is what I'd generally advise because I know the health care system is different in Canada.
  I do understand the exact physical feeling because when the medications for my dystonic spasms run out I do sometimes have extreme mood changes, even suicidal ideations but my doctors are very flexible in adjusting them. They are anti-spasmodics not pain medications but they have a potential for abuse I've been told but they know I would never do that. I always detail my needs, sometimes in writing and they see if they make sense and see what they can do and help as best as medical science can. If you physically need a medication they should prescribe it.