Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
It's been almost 2 weeks but I am still feeling like a pariah because I have to take meds to even get out of bed due to multiple medical conditions- Sytemic Lupus, DDD, scoliosis in 2 areas of my back, herniated discs from C-2 to S-1, 5 compression fractures; 3 of which are pressing on my spinal chord.I am also being treated for severe osteoporosis with daily injections. I have been in Pain Management for 14 years and was told from the get go that I will always need medication to manage my pain.I have been deemed inoperable by 4 of the best surgeon in the country. Last September, due to the new DEA and CDC guidlines, my medication was dropped I am now on 1/3 of what I used to be on and even at that level my pain level never went below a 5. My condition is deteriorating rapidly and my pain increases exponetially. When I saw my PM Doc 2 weeks ago, we had a long discussion- actually I listened as she vented about losing 2 doctors and 2 APRN's due to all of these new regulations- they no longer felt like they could practice medicine without the threat of losing their career (or worse) if they did not comply with the guidlines. Let's face it, it's difficult to deal with people in so much pain day in and day out. Having dotted our 'i's' and crossed our 't's' my prescriptions were electronically submitted to the pharmacy (another change inthis on-going battle). When I got to the pharmacy, I was told that 2 out of 3 of my scripts were ready and to come back in 15 minutes. When I got back I was informed that the pharmacist was waiting for a call back from my doctor- Why, I asked, I just left there. 2 days later I went into the pharmacy and waited at the consult desk to talk with the pharmacist. Mind you, this is after a number of calls mwere made to the pharmacy and to my doctor. The pharmacist did not approach me at the consult desk and chose to yell out that my prescription for oxycodone (I have been taking this medication for 12 years) was filled as well as another script for Narcan in case of accidental overdose! As I said,the parmacist yelled this information across the parmacy floor from behind her computer. The mouths of all other customers dropped as they stared at me. Tears of frustration and humiliation still fall from my eyes as I relive that moment. I refused to pick up the Narcan because it was a forced script from my pharmacy, I had never discussed it with my doctor. I wrote a letter to the pharmacy, my doctor andcc'd a copy to my attorney as I feel my HIPPA rights were violated. I told the pharmacist that I would not pick up the Narcan until AFTER I discuss it with my doctor at my next appointment. Why should I have to put up with this treatment and justify the severity of my medical condition? I am within current CDC guidelines. The changes over the past year have been extremely difficult. Does anyone else have to jump through these hoops in order to get their prescribed medication? Thanks for listening and as always, I pray for a relatively low pain level day for all of us
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Hi All.... It's great to see all of the new people joining the site... I'm loving it!!...smileI'm not sure if people are aware that if you don't have Bipolar Disorder but have a loved one who has the disorder we do have a board for people to go to in order to share their experiences and seek friendship, support or adviseIt's the Friends and Family of Bipolar Board.... I hope you'll take a...
I am so sorry. It is not enough you have to suffer pain, on top of it you have to be humiliated? Makes me so mad...xo
You need to change pharmacies.. Look for a independent pharmacy. Their hours are not as convenient as other pharmacies. But they are better to deal with.
Patients didn't have to fill the script, but it was on file at the pharmacy, hell I have a box and I don't even use Opiods/Narcotics anymore.
As for who hears what in a pharmacy, I'd love to see a pharmacy where the "consultation" area is soundproof from other customers, I've never seen one, be it a large corporate pharmacy or a mom/pop store. The mom/pop store are generally worse, they have 1 counter and talk right in front of everyone.
22 yrs ago, before HIPPA nobody cared what their pharmacist said in front of other people, nobody complained or threw a fit. Just like we don't gripe that we can't go in a buy Sudafed over the counter any more, its a pain in the ass, you have to have your Driver's LIcense, and sign for it, but we don't gripe, we do it.
I can't get my Blood Sugar Test strips on the aisle because they get stolen easily, so I have to wait and get the from the pharmacist...but groups of Diabetics and Hypoglycemics don't stand around acting like the world is against them....they just do what's required.
Being in pain 24/7 sucks and it makes some people not tend to be in a good mood much of the time....that's not necessarily the rest of the worlds fault.
And the majority of folks that go to the Dr. convinced they have this thing or that, or other serious illnesses and know exactly what med they need to treat it....don't get what they want. Chronic Pain doesn't make us a minority group that only gets the worst treatment because we don't get what we think we need and deserve all the time.