My personal story of trying to be adequated TREATED!

[Haywoodusmc]

I understand at a fundamental level why 'Doctors' are so hesitant to hand out any sort of medicine due to the supposed legal ramifications from Big Brother, I mean the DEA, but I'm starting to wonder why those same hesitant Doctor folk are so avid to hand out 'other' drugs, drugs that can have far worse side-effects, but are 'useless' on the street level because they offer no feeling of well being or whatever it is the dopers are after.

Funny how drugs like Ambien, any battery of SSRI's, Blood pressure meds, Nerve Blockers, just about anything really besides "pain pills" are handed out at a disgusting rate, and most tout equal if not worse adverse reactions than a pain pill does. 'Suicidal thought and ideation' on SSRIs, Ambien causing people to sleep eat/drive/****/fall down stairs and get hurt, diarreah and seizures from Gabapentin, etc. And guess what, take too many of ANY pill and you're going to friggin die. Guess I should stock up my Ambien now while I can, only a matter of time before people start dying from those things trying to use them in inscrupulous ways.

I was prescribed one pill, one pill that made it so I could mow my lawn and not be in agony. One pill so I could spend time with my aging family and enjoy the outdoors some and try and figure my own life out. One pill that in essence, prevented me from being a staggering **** to everyone I meet (anyone in chronic pain I'm sure can attest, my rage and anger are multiplied by hundreds when I'm in pain)

I was prescribed this, let's call it magic, no wait, voodoo dark magic (as that's what they're seemingly labeling as on TV slash by the DEA) pill, at a moderate dosage, just for use on days that 'are bad.'  It was 10mg of Oxycodone, 325 of Ace... 3 times a day (as needed) A paltry dose. The Dr that prescribed; did so because I 'was clearly in pain, and though she couldn't diagnose me, she felt I should have some comfort whilst awaiting further testing' That initial scrip is naturally gone by now, 40 10mg pills lasted me about 30 some odd days.

Now that doctor will not refill them as she cannot give an accurate diagnosis and treating with narcos without a 'diagnosis' is bad juju.

So now that means I am left with nothing. Nothing but the memory of a little pill that could help me achieve a reasonable quality of life that I cannot otherwise do.

That's not all, now I get to explain my story to every single Nurse, and Dr, and specialist, and everyone else who asks,only to get looked at like I'm a junkie trying to score a quick fix, or I'm going to run down to the corner and hustle them off for a few bucks. Seriously. Every single healthcare provider I've encountered LOOKS at me like I'm scum, and feel the need to open their spiel with "We don't prescribe narcotics, just so you know" or "You are way too young to get hooked on those things"

I'll have you know I'm not scum, I am a wounded and injured USMC combat veteran. Yeah, I'm still young 26y/o, and apparently I don't know what pain feels like(because war is painless, so are IEDs and torn ligaments), and even though 18 wasn't 'too young' to be trained to murder on your collective behalf that 26 IS too young to be adequately treated for those wounds (as well as others)

But no DR I've seen, VA Doctor, Civilian GP Doctor, Civvie and VA Pain Management 'specialist' will prescribe me what I already know works. Nor can they give an accurate diagnosis. "Sometimes your body just hurts and we don't know why" thanks for being so honest dipshit I'm paying thousands to, but can you humor me and give it the old college try? No no no wait...

... Here's a rundown of every appt.
DERPTER*internet colloquialism for idiot is the prefix DERP by the way*: "Did you hurt it somehow?"
ME: "I don't recall, it happened in bootcamp and has been nearly continuous since that point, activity sets it off, and it has been ongoing for 6 years now" (fully corroborating medical records available)
DR: "ok, did you do PT for it?
ME: "yes, didn't help it"
DR: Hmmm, what about Ice and Heat?
ME: *about here is where I start to get mad... no your excellence I wasn't smart enough to try cold or hot compresses before seeking hospital level care* YES I did try that
DR: XRAYs and MRIS?
ME: YES, plenty of both, probably have cancer now thanks.
DR: Hmmm looks normal to me.
ME: Yes, that is what they have ALL said so far. But it STILL hurts. It's borderline ruining the life of a 26 year old male, it's clearly serious.
DR: Well what about OTC Ibuprofen, that must help?
ME: No, no over the counter anything helps, list format: Naproxen, Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Acetiminophen, Excedrin WITH caffeine, Capcasin Cream, Bengay muscle cream.
DR: And you were prescribed........
ME: Tizanadine, Nortriptyline, Cyclobenzaprine, lidocaine patches, and Oxycodone/ace
DR: And?
ME: Only the Oxy seemed to work... guess that rules out muscle problems right, since 2 separate muscle relaxers didn't help? Neither did lidocaine... I tried explaining that the pain feels much 'deeper' than something a topical numbing compound would help with.
DR: No, not necessarily.  Scheduled to 'Trigger spots next month'

ME, to myself: Glad I have to wait ANOTHER month of my life in pain. Hope the tripper points works.

And I'm about to flip **** when this appt comes and goes if I have no relief. I am at wits end. I get so mad that I have to deal with this and that there ARE options, but nobody wants to try them because I'm going to become a lunatic junky on a pill that I took no more than 3 times a week.

So GODDAMN aggrevating. Since when in this country is it OK to deny people something based on the fact that they could potentially use it in an other than intended manner.

My MRI and Xray of Neck/Upper Back, Shoulder area, are all grossly intact showing no discrepancies. I am STILL in pain though. They said it can't be Fibro because its only that area. I say its not a muscle sprain/strain/spasm because why would it last 6-7 years and not heal? Any other ideas?

[stovall]

Hi I really need to know if you ever found a cure for the crawling sensation cause I really need some HELP

[railroaded]

I just had 15 trigger point injections although I went in to get a cortisone injection! I began to wonder when he had gone through 2 vials of something, "lidocaine!" and then asked if I could move my shoulder. When I said I couldn't he told me again, and this is at least the 5th time he has uttered the ridiculous remark, "boy, you are a freak of nature!" I guess because he got his Masters in "trigger point injections" (he gave me his disertation!), and the fact they never did a thing for me, and boy did he try, blood would squirk all over my shoulder THIS time, while he stopped it with gauze, but he had shot me about 20 times in my neck and my face finally went numb, and when I mentioned it, seconds after the shots, he stopped, and that was the FIRST time he called me a"" freak of nature, because my face went numb for almost 24 hours, and he saw it.There was so much blook squirting behind my neck, my shirt got bloody later. yesterday, he asked me after the zillions of painful useless injections, could I lift my arm NOW!, I answered "NO!", and he gave me a little tiny shot of cortisone! So I have to go back to my wonderful Dr. on the 23rd and get a REAL cortisone injection....so I can turn the steering wheel! What a waste of time, money for gas, (a 2 hr roundtrip for the lidocaine!, and painful turning of the steering wheel, and I am much worse today! What the heck!

[Haywoodusmc]

Well lets see what's changed... never got the trigger point injections, thank God I didn't due to this crazy meningitis outbreak.

Pain still continuing. Told not to take otc pain meds anymore either because I might have ulcers.

Had a CT scan of my neck area because they found a cyst on my thyroid gland on my last MRI.

I guess its not malignant at least. I think it is definitely contributing to the neck portion of my pain as well as difficulty swallowing sometimes. Also have a severely deviated septum and bone spurs in my nose area from breaking my nose in USMC training.

No meds still. Losing my mind in pain 75% of my life. No idea what else to do. Been months with no treatment just random tests here and there. About to try and risk punishment by ordering meds online ...

[railroaded]

You know, the Oxycontin was the ONLY thing that touched my nerve pain. although I assume it didn't work like it would have on muscle pain, it was the ONLY thing that allowed me to function. Now I TOO am seeing a "Trigger Point Dr." or "trigger HAPPY, more like it!" They NEVER worked before, but I am forced to endure them again, and the hardest part is keeping a neutral FACE! I WANT to SCREAM!! I have already been shot over 50 times! And I am not kidding! This guy says he's "different" (aka BETTER! ) My best advice, I literally bite the bullet when these ridiculous conversations are taking place between me and the (DOCTOR)! Good luck, and maybe you won't need it!

[Haywoodusmc]

It's pretty ******. Every Doctor that I have encountered really makes me feel like they think they're better than me, my Psychiatrist had to 'inform' the pain management Dr that the Gabapentine might not be a good idea because I have 'episodes of heavy drinking' who the **** doesn't? Or should I saw, what US Marine doesn't? What college aged kid doesn't?

Anyways, no new updates yet, waiting to see if they still decide on the Gabapentine or not. Frustrated as all hell.

[railroaded]

Everything you posted was so true! If you are in PAIN, you are a drug addict searching for a fix! Has it ever occcured to the docs, it would be easier to hit the streets than THEM for pain relief?! Whenever I have mentioned, say after the dentist, or other surgeries, "I don't need the pain meds, I already have MINE!", I am looked at like a junkie! Why wouldn't I just let them give me the non working pain meds they have in mind?  Well, now I do, because if they hear you have enough of your prescribed meds, HOLD the HORSES! They are ready to call the DEA right then and there! I take their paltry prescriptions now, never fill them or have them somewhere probably, but if they won't prescribe something that might actually WORK, whats the point?You are so right, you were willing to fight for our country, and look how you are treated when you need help. It is shameful.

[Haywoodusmc]

Thanks for the comments and support.

I have not had either of those tests done, I swear the pain is nerve or auto immune, possibly Lyme disease (never had the bullseye rash, but was always exposed to ticks) but now that you mention it I have also had the anthrax vaccine, I tried to deny some (its like 4 seperate shots I believe) but I did end up getting a few doses.

[msnova74]

I am so sorry for what u are going through. Just one thought, (well 2 really)

First,  have you had either a EMG, or fMRI.

EMG can show nerve dysfumction that is unique to a single nerve root.

fMRI- wont show you what is wrong, but will show that your brain is registering pain.

The second thought, my brother (army) had severe pain issues that were eventually traced by the VA to an autoimmune reaction to an anthrax vaccine.  10 years later still has severe pain.

I hope this helps, and that you find relief.

T

[alsoinpain]

First, I'd like to thank you for your service. Second, i am so sorry for your pain. I don't really have any advice but i find it deplorable to allow someone to remain in pain, especially someone who has made sacrifices to defend this country. God bless you and good luck!