First off, I want to thank each of you who responded, called, texted, and just talked me through my pain doctor. I can't tell you all how much I appreciate each and everyone of you. I went to the pain doctor and had made the decision to not say anything after the nurse asked me why I was still in pain. That didn't last too long. My pain doctor came in, and I thold him we have a problem. He said, what's up, and that's when I started to cry. I explained to him that I was frustrated with my pain level, that I've done EVERYTHING he's asked me to do to try to make this pain go away and that the vicodin just didn't seem to be holding my pain all day. I told him that I had spoken to my psychiatrist and asked if he had called because he had made a mention yesterday that he would have called my doctor for me but I told him I wanted to speak to my doctor. I then told him that the psychiatrist thought that I may need to be on a different medication, and I told my doctor that I just didn't know what to do. My pain doctor told me, to stop crying (yep it was embarrassing) and that he would change some medication around. He also said that he did not realize that I hadn't been set up for the neuro stimulator yet. So, I said you will still treat me, and he said of course I will, I know you have a bad injury and are in pain and we will start you on a long term medication that you take twice a day, and then we will also give you break through medication to take during the day. He said he would start me off on Opana ER 10 mg and to take 2 a day and also to take Opana 10mg during the day as I need it and he would see me in two weeks and start adjusting my medication. He was very accomodating. He and I talked briefly about my job and he did tell me again today that my chronic injury will never get any better. I apologized to him for crying and getting upset, and he told me to never apologize and that he was happy to help me. I then apologized because we had a conversation about two months ago where I told him I didn't feel comfortable taking anything else but vicodin. I apologized to him today about that conversation and told him I'd take anything that he would prescribe because I want to adher to what he wants me to do. The only downfall on this, the medication is very expensive, it was 80.00 for 56 pills. That's something I'll have to talk to the doctor about because it's almost out of my range to continually pay for. He gave me enough meds for two weeks and then I go back, so I'll tell him then about the cost and see what we can do. But I just wanted to tell everyone that he was so nice about the whole thing, I think he had been waiting for me to tell him I needed different medication. It was so much easier than I thought so thank you everyone for helping me talk to him today! It made a huge difference.
I have been thinking about you all day and I am so glad you listened and talked to your dr. When you see him in 2 weeks see if there is something else that can be done that is cheaper. With all my pain meds now I only spend $20 a month and I am hoping I keep it that way.
I hope your new meds kick in right away and start helping alot more with your pain.
Jamie