I need real help from someone that will reply about this

[artie1]

How long can a person handle pain from the anteirior and posterior lumbar fusion with out ANY medications for pain? I had the 2 part surgery on Feb-15 and 18 2008! I am on Mississippi medicaid and they won't pay for the pain medications I need and I have no money to pay for it. Also, I would have to go 300 miles one way to get to the nearest pain managment in Jackson, Mississippi and have no way to get there and I can walk no more than 10 feet.
I need real help!

[snowgoer68]

Thanks for the nice words. Your father is a remarkable man with great courage and strength as i am too. The reason my pain is so bad is when i had the complete degloving injury from mid thigh to toes down to bone with little muscle and one artery with no heel and no skin. I was in traction from severe femur break and my pelvis completely separated. I had dressing changes and debridement 3 times a day in the burn unit. All that pain and 68 operations is what led to my pain being so severe. it's off the charts . No way anyone could function in a prosthesis with this level of pain.I never had this much pain through all those surgeries. Morphine would help the acute pain and now that it's nerve pain opiates are needed at higher levels. I am really frustrated that i've spent hundreds of hours researching it. I would love for my doctor to take 30 min and see the new things they are doing.
Hey artie1 let us know what happeens

[concerned621]

My father is an above the knee amputee. He lost his leg in WWII.  God Bless you, it's not easy at all. My dad went on to be a physical education teacher, a basketball, football, track and swimming coach, golfed well in to his 80's.  He too has a lot of phantom pain.  He is a very stubborn man and won't take much in the way of pain meds.  I wish you the very best.  
My friends always teased me, I'd bring them over my house and my dad would be sitting there with his artificial leg sitting beside him. My friends would be in shock and I would walk by like it was normal because it was to us.  He was just my dad, I grew up that way.  He is an amazing man.  We never saw him any different.  

I'm glad you think the Methadone will help artie1.  I feel for him and my prayers are with you both!

[snowgoer68]

Hi There, I totally agree that methadone is a good drug for chronic pain. My story is very long but I am an above knee ampute with sever phantom limb pain(PLP) for 13 years. I've endured 68 operations,23 broken bones, over 1400 days in the hospital. Two catstrophic accidents one in 1981 at age 13 where I was dragged on the freeway and the second two yeras later I was hit by a car. Very long and difficult road. The easy part is being an amputee, it's the excrutiating pain. You need to start very low on methadone. DUN NOT TAKE ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS. Many people are scared and they have the right because many have died from methadone overdose, some from following the doctors orders. But a doctor who prescribes methadone for anxiety and says oh here take as needed or take 20 mg 4 times daily. Well you are not gonna wake up if one did that. So many sad stories out there related to this med but I have been on it for 13 years. Nerve pain is very difficult to treat, especially PLP. I started lyrica. Anyone here take it, gained any weight on it. I've read about so many women gaining tons of weight on it and some say none but I use a wheelchair a;though Istay somewhat active. SORRY-this is not about me, I guess it's just I am new here and haven't told my story. There are some other helpful pain support sites on the net that i belong to also.Methadone is a very inexpencsive drug and I would recommend it but go slow. If prescribed by your primary doctor be careful because they usually are not educated with pain and prescribing methods. Good luck to you

[concerned621]

I had the same surgery and I have no idea how you are doing this without pain medication. Did the hospital send you home with pain meds?  In addition to Social Services and see if they can make this an urgent matter.  
In addition Methadone is used for pain is about very inexpensive.  Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for an extremely cheap pain medication.  Methadone has a lot of side effects and has to be taken slowly, low does initially.  If you do get a pain medication prescription find out which company makes the pill and contact the company directly.  Tell them your story.  I think there will be paperwork but they may be able to give it to you are reduced or no cost.  
Also, with medicare you need a supplemental prescription plan.  Some are as low as $90.00 per month. Humana is one, my least favorite and they will not pay for brand oxycontin and supposedly there are no generic oxycontin anymore. But they will pay for Methadone.  Again, Methadone is for main management as well as other things and is about $5.00 a prescription.  
I am so sorry you are going through this. I was taking oxycontin and percocet after this surgery and I was in a great deal of pain. I will be praying for you to get relief from this.  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Artie,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry I am tardy with my response. I am even sorrier that you are experiencing such horrid pain without proper medications.

Mollyrae is correct. Some manufacturers will provide medications at no cost to you. I have to admit I am not sure if this applies to narcotics but it is worth a try. Any PCP can help you apply to the drug manufactures.

I do not know a thing about Mississippi Medicaid. If does not seem legal, certainly not ethical that they would deny pain medications to needy patients. What about the cancer patients that are on Mississippi Medicaid? Are they too denied pain medications? Again as Molly have suggested contact your state SS Office. Some states even have volunteer drivers that will provide transportation.

I would think that either your State Social Service Department or your physicians office could intercede for you. A letter from your physician attesting to your pain may be required. Have you gone that route?

Your question, how long can a person handle pain? My favorite saying use to be, this pain won't kill me, it only makes me wish I were dead!! So uncontrolled pain may make you a bit crazy, depressed, anxious and bring a host of other issues but we can actually live with a lot of pain. But in my opinion it's just surviving, it's not really living.  

I hope you will find a way that Mississippi Medicaid will pay for your needed pain medications or the manufacturers will come through for you. Be assertive. The squeaky wheel gets oiled.

Best of luck to you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We are here to offer support, information and suggestions.

Peace,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Pleas seek out your local Social Services. There are drug companies that will provide you with pain management for free. Ask them about it. Also, can you apply for Medicaid...I think you should qualify. Good luck,
Mollyrae