PCP to Pain Management

[Vanilla03]

I am just curious and I have question?

My PCP referred me to PMP. The reason PCP wanted me to see PMP because he said that I am addicted and that I need to see PMP. But I have told my PCP that I am not addicted and that I am dependent because I have suffered with back problems for few years. I even told my PCP that I am not happy for him to accuse me that are not true, you know?

Ok, the question is - why is PCP sending me to PMP if he thinks I'm addicted?

I would appreciate some replies from you about this. Thanks in advance.

[fairdamidlin]

I hope that I can clear up addiction for you. The reason that someone is saying that you are addicted is because you likely are. Not the way you think you are addicted though. I will explain
I have suffered extreme pain since my accident in 2000. I also was on a bunch of pain killers. It really messes up thinking. I went out to a pain clinic. They told me that I am addicted to pain killers. I said No way I take them for pain and I don't get high from the pain killers. That isn't what happens to us though. What happens is with any narcotics you need more and more. That is the addictive property of narcotics. We take the pain meds for pain right? Right!  We will need more and more pain killers to get the same level of pain relief. At some time the pain meds don't help any more. Why ? It is because you brain or mind will actually create more feeling of pain to get the pain medication. This is the way in which it is addictive and the reason you get told you addicted to medication. It is the same result for any narcotic being used for pain killers.
Don't take it personally it is what pain medication does. The best thing that you can do is go out to a pain clinic to learn the most you can about the pain meds and your pain.'
  I eventually got a pain pump. The pump is in my body and the medication is pumped to my spinal cord. This means that I need 1/300th of the oral dose of meds. One dose of pain meds to my spine opposed to 300 pills. The best part is the meds are not going through my stomach and the rest of my body including my brain. My thinking is much clearer and it helps much more to go to the source of the injury (spinal cord). I wish you nothing but the best.
Please follow my Blog on my pain and experience. The blog is there in hopes to help everyone that suffers in pain. ****.***.
  All the best to you.

[Tuckamore]

Hi Vanilla,

I am glad you found us on the Pain Management Forum of MedHelp. Welcome. I am sorry that you too have CP. We know how disruptive that can be to our lives.

I agree with Mollyrae 100%. She said it well. I also beleive you should have a consult with a PMP. But I also think you should change PCP. In an earlier response to a post I explained who my PCP treated me when my CP first began. So I will not go into that again. Your PCP is giving you the same signals mine gave me. I think it is time to change PCP.

I do not know you but I would imagine that if you have had CP for years and require narcotics to control your CP, you are dependant on those medications to control your pain.  I certainly am. Unfortunately some (not too knowable in my opinion) PCP will use dependant and addicted interchangeably.

So I agree that you should see the PMP. I am hopeful they will provide you with Pain Management. Please keep us posted and let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to hearing how your appointment goes with your PMP. Take Care, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello Vanilla and welcome to the Pain Forum:

It sounds like your PCP does not want to be responsible for your treatment anymore because of the prolonged use of your pain meds. I agree that he should have put it into better words like dedpendant and not addicted. Even though he knows your suffering with pain, I would imagine that he is uncomfortable with your treatment at this point and wants to hand it off to someone more qualified than he. PMP's have degrees in pain management and deal with chronic pain sufferers all day long. They really have a better understanding in who needs treatment and who doesn't. Go with the PMP, I think you will be better off in the long run. Please take care and good luck,
Mollyrae