PLEASE READ and ANSWER! HELP!!!!!

[maky158]

I have severe chronic pain each and everyday! I was referred to a neurologist by my PC Dr and given Neurotin for the meantime. I went to the neurologist and explained as best I could the pain I feel all the time. He said it sounds like Fibromaylagia. So ordered blood tests for everything under the sun and gave me Lyrica to start with. he gave me 50 to start once a day and then after two weeks to go to 75 once a day. I did this for a month. I had my next appt with him and told him it does nothing fo rmy pain. So he gives me more Lyrica to take twice a day and then eventually three times a day. Well I never liked the side effects I was still getting from the Lyrica and had little doubts it would woork, but went ahead and continued to try this new dosing he prescribed me. Well it still never touched my pain and then I got pains in my chest and extremely dry mouth and throat and felt a lump in my throat. So i called him the next day and told the nurse what i felt and that it still doesn't work and I can't take the Lyrica. She talked to the Dr and she called me back and said he was writing me a script for Tramadol. I've had Tramadol before a while back before I even knew what was going on with me. So of course I had my doubts, but went ahead and picked up my script and filled it. Well it does nothing for my pain! I still feel like crap!! ALL the time! I feel like he is underprescribing me out of fear of giving me what works because of the risks. I just don't know how to ask for something stronger like vicodin, percocet ect...I've had these before in the past and they work good for me, but I'm afraid of telling him that for looking like a druggie or whatever. I don't feel good, I have three children and my husband is deployed. What should I do or say to my Dr. I want to call Monday and just tell them what he gave me isn't working I need something stronger. Is that what I should do? How do I go about this? Really need advice please!!!!!

[igarfy]

Hi. I have been thru everything you mentioned also. Be sure to have you vitamin D level checked and if it is at the low normal you may need more. All the muscle and joint bone pain I have had for over 5 years is from lack of vitamin d.   Also, I have tried all those new drugs, Cymbalta almost killed me. Ask for Vicidon and Soma. Works great for me and I have never had to take more than 3 a day. Good luck, Teri

[Tuckamore]

Hi Makey,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post. I am sorry to hear about issues with the neurologist and that you are experiencing uncontrolled chronic pain.

It is not unusual for physicians to begin with the lowest and least addictive medications before working you up to stronger medications. You have done the right thing by following his wishes and taking the meds as he has prescribed. This should put you in a favorable light and show you as a compliant patient. Physicians like that.

But now where do you go from here?  In my opinion you return to the neurologist. Request an appointment with the neurologist asap. Explain that though you have followed the medication regimen he has prescribed it has not significantly, if at all, touched your pain. Explain how your chronic pain effects your daily life and interferes with your ability to function normally. Ask for "help," ask him where you go from here. Let me provide suggestions.

I don't know the normal practice in your state for treating chronic pain patients. In my state it is our PCP that prescribe for and follow their CP Patients. PMP do not exist to do any more than treatments and in some instances diagnosis. It would not be beneficial for me to consult a PMP. If your state has PMP that prescribe and follow chronic pain patients than you may want to request a referral to one.

I wish you the very best and hope that you will find better pain management. Please continue to be active in our community...and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates.

Take Care,
Tuck

[maky158]

I forgot to mention that I have a B12 deficiency. I am now on monthly shots for it. I don't know how long I was at 152 (my level) when it should be over 500 at least. So I am sure some of my pain may be nerve regeneration, which after receiving B12 shots, your nerves can heal again, but may cause nerve pain. Or it could be pain from damaged nerves that aren't healing or both. I just don't know. My Neurologist doesn't really say much when i talk to him. he doesn't even go over any medications he prescribes me. He doesn't ask if I've had it, or side affects nothing. I just am so fustrated dealing with all of this. I know for sure i can manage the pain with something a little bit stronger because a friend had some left over vicodin and gave me the 10 she had left. Well i know you're not suppose to take medicine like that without a script, but I did. It worked in managing my pain for 5 days. i would take one Vic 5mg in morning and one in afternoon. I prolly could have used one in the evening as well, but I needed to make them last as it was all I had.  Instead of me going through all these weak meds I wish i could just ask for what works, but like I said, I don't want to look bad in any way and I need my Dr to trust me and treat me.

[maky158]

That's all I want! I just want it managed! Being completely pain free just may not be possible, but I don't want it interferring in my daily life! I haven't asked to go to a pain management Dr because he is still doing tests. April 6th I have a bone scan. So right now it's being treated as fibro and trying to be managed, but it's not managing much!!

[RunningMom]

It would be best if you saw a pain management clinic.  I would first want to find out the source of the pain.  Maybe get a second opinion.  If it's possible to have it fixed, then I would fix the source asap.  I know you are really in pain, but calling the doctor and out right asking for something stronger is really not the way to go.  I've never right out asked for stronger meds even though I had/have spinal cord compression with a disc in my neck and was very under medicated for a very long time.  It's been almost two years and my pain still isn't under control, but I do have better management.