How do I get them to understand and perscribe what will help me?!???

[tomskat]

I have been battling chronic pain, deg. disc disease,arthritis,bulging discs, and a new one, "pts" (rare disorder) since I've been 19.I have been on every dose of vicodin and percocet.My tolerance is way too high for them and they do NOTHING to alleveiate the pain.I don't expect to be 100% pain free, but some relief would be nice.I had been on ms contin but refuse to take it cuz it makes me black out.My docs won't up my meds to anything other than percs...how can I get them to understand that they do not benefit me at all???? I had tried some hydromorphone (sp?) and that worked wonders!!!My friend had taken mercy on me and gave me a couple.But, how can I get them to understand that I need to be on something stronger withpout sounding like I'm a "seeker"???And, what are my other choices anyways??Any advice/feedback would be appreciated.Thanks!

[optimus22mac]

Hi...I just wanted to add that IF you do talk with your Dr and he/she does agree to Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) or Hydromorph Contin, I have had much success with these medications.  I would say that you should definitely get them through your Dr/Pharmacy only because of their strength, and other drug interactions.  These 2 medications can very often only be taken by patients who have a VERY high tolerance to medications, unless it's post surgery in a hospital setting.

I took Percocet and then Oxycontin at varying increasing doses for my pain due to a broken coccyx bone as well as other possible injuries to my spine.  After surgery to remove part of the bone and explore the area, I continued to take these until I felt that I had to keep increasing, and I worried about my Tylenol intake...because the percocet was necessary for me.  I could not do it with only the oxycontin.
I went to my Dr, and as we discussed my recovery--(We discussed the possibility/probability that I will have this pain permanently)--we decided to switch to Hydromorph Contin with Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) for breakthrough.  WHAT AN AMAZING DIFFERENCE!!!

Wow...when I wake up in the morning, I can basically get right out of bed! And I do not have to take as much for breakthrough, and the side effects are very minimal--at least for me, and others I've read about.
I was afraid that because it is considered to be WAY stronger than oxycontin/oxycodone, that I would be loopy, feel high, tired, etc...
None of those effects have happened--except when I am tired because of lack of sleep or overdoing it, it makes me extra tired.  
I am so happy that this drug is allowing me to function at a much higher level than I was before.
The pain relief is excellent--at least for me...I know that pain relief and medication for it can be very individual.
I hope this was helpful to you, and others who may be interested.

[Babs1469]

Hey there tomskat, I'm sorry to hear about your pain and really hope you are able to find a doctor that understands what you need. As always I agree with Tuck, listen to her, she is not only smart she is also one of the most caring people I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with on any forum. I am lucky in that my Pain Management Doctor is so caring and wonderful that they have tried to work with me and my pain and pretty much change with me as a tolerance grows or something stops working, I undertand that most are not like that. Maybe if you explain to the doctor that you were given Hydramorphone on a different occasion and found it worked well for you, maybe that will help, I'm not sure how old you are but maybe if you took a parent with you and just tell the doctor that your parent wanted to meet the doctor they may see that you have a support system in place and feel more secure in giving you a stronger med.( I'm 40 and my mom acompanies me sometimes to the doctors)  I don't know I wish I had the answer for you. Just know that you are not alone and I really hope you post again soon so we will know how you are.

Take Care
Babs

[Tuckamore]

Hello Tomskat,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum fellow Wisconsinite! I am glad that you found us at MedHelp.

I too read ppl's profiles and note your past Coke issues. I want to congratulate you on being clean and sober. I've heard it is a difficult recovery and I admire your courage and determination. I also agree with Mollyrae, unfortunately physicians are reluctant to prescribe to those that have had addiction problems in the past.  

I have severe, disabling chronic pain and have suffered with it for years before someone took me seriously and diagnosed my pain causing condition. I have been on hydrocodone for five years. Although the dosage has been increased I stay with the narcotic instead of going on to other "Big Dog" meds. I've tried them at my physicians insistence, morphine, fentanyl and methadone. I've had trouble taking all of them and though hydrocodone does not touch my pain on the many bad days I have, I choose to stay where I am.  

My PCP did add diazepam (again insisted I try it) which I take on nights that sleep won't come because the pain and spasms are so severe. It does help and possibly you could benefit from adding a muscle relaxer to your regime.

Dilaudid (Hydromorphone Hydrochloride), is not prescribed commonly in our state for long term chronic pain. It is considered a highly addictive opiate. It has a higher abuse and diversion rate than some of the other opiates. The one time I had it was post-op. It was wonderful at relieving the pain but also caused euphoria and extreme hives. Your physicians may be concerned with the euphoria effects considering your past substance abuse issues.

So I encourage you to ask your PCP if adding other medications, other than narcotics to your regime may not aid the pain reducing effects. I tired many muscle relaxers before I found the one that worked the best for me. There are also antidepressants that can help treat your pain receptors.

Best of luck to you. I hope you and your physician will be successful in your search for pain releif. Remember that you should only take those meds that are prescribed for you. I want you to be safe as well as more comfortable. We are here to support you and I will look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hi tomskat and welcome to the Pain Forum.

I'm sorry that your in constant pain and the battle to be pain free is a never ending one. I have read your profile and see that you have had problems in the past  and are on the recovery tracker with a clean slate. Hooray !! Is there something in your medical records that might prevent the Doctors from prescribing something stronger?? What are you recovering from??

Often the Doctors will take a look at your past history and make their own decision and once they have, you cannot change their minds. If they are all associated with the same clinic then it will be impossible to find any relief. The advise in the above post might be your best bet. PS- I'm not sure that getting pain relief from somewhere else other than a Doctor is such a great idea. If you happen to find a Doctor that will prescribe something stronger and you're expected to sign a contract, they will drug test you. If they find anything other than what your prescribed...it's all over. You will be living in pain and won't even get the Oxycodone or Vic.
I'm not trying to be mean or preach....It's just my opinion and a bad idea.

Anyway, I am sorry that your experiencing daily pain, it's no fun to live like that. I hope that you can find the relief you need and soon. Take care,
Mollyrae

[jpuchalski1]

I am having very similar problems to yours about Doctors not believing that I am legitimately in pain and not thinking I am just looking for drugs. My advice would be to try and go with someone that can attest to how much pain you are in and maybe that the medicine isn't working for you.