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...
Help.... I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia back in 2004 or 05. I used to take incredible amounts of medicines and combinations (you name it, Gabapentin, Wellbutrin, Clonazepam, Antiinflamatories, methadone, Effexor, etc). Slowly, and through trial and error I found the combination that works for me... Cymbalta and Hydrocodone. My Pain doctor moved after 5 years of being my doctor and I had to find another one. This one is reluctant to prescribe Hydrocodone. I have regular urine tests to prove that I am not abusing it, and yet.... she cut my prescription way down (like almost half of what I was getting from my previous doctor). I understand: she is trying to make sure I do not become and addict, but this is NOT working for me. My life quality has been compromised. I feel "guilty" for needing more medicine, but dog-gone-it, I am tired of being in pain all the time. I am NOT an addict, I just need pain medicine for my pain. This awful relentless pain. I suffer from chronic pain, the joints, the bones, the muscle pain.... the throbbing pain wakes me up at times too. My hips ge so painful I can hardly walk when I get up from sitting. This is no fun for me. I do massage therapy as often as I can, but as you can imagine, is not enough. If my urine attest to my adhering to the prescribed dosages... why does she keep me in pain? When it rains, my pain level increases dramatically. Do you think she accommodates to that? Heck, No. I am getting so frustrated. Am I alone in all this?? Has anybody gone through this?? How do I find a doctor who will be more aggressive in my care? I don't want to hop-between-doctors: I am afraid to be labeled. There's got to be a balance between being really addict and really needing the medicine. I am in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. Anybody here? What doctor do you go to?? Am I supposed to live like this.....??
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Unfortunately, your story is a familiar one. Many of us here have gone through this. I was abruptly discontinued off my medication when my PM left the clinic I was going to. It was terrible. I have not gone to PM since so I've essentially been in pain since last August. I'm starting with VA PM next Friday but I'm nervous after the experience I had.
This is the environment we are in unfortunately. I don't anticipate it getting any better so we must survive. I have no faith in doctors really but there are people that say to keep trying and find one that helps. I don't know how much I believe in that theory but, I suppose if you can do that, you probably should. If she's cutting your meds already, chances are it won't get better. Hate to say it.
Such a crappy world for CP patients. There are far too many of us that can relate to your story. There are a few success stories in there so maybe it is a matter of "keep trying."
At any rate, I am sorry you are suffering so badly. I hope you are able to get some relief...through this doctor...or through another, more compassionate one.
(((HUGS)))
Is this PM an anesthesiologist? Did she offer injections or other treatments besides a pittance of meds?
Have you thought about seeing a fibro specialist like a rheumatologist? Someone that understands your disease pain levels and also believes narcotics help the pain? The most recent studies believe that fibro is widespread nerve pain and opiates aren't effective like gabapentin or Lyrica/Savella. Another study also points to some type of unresolved childhood trauma. That study was small but wide read. Finding a dr who believes differently might be the tricky part. If nothing else, a they should he able to refer you to a decent PM that treats fibro.
Good luck & I hope you get some relief soon. Someone here has been struggling to find a PM to treat his pain & found a great Dr recently. Keep hope alive! Things eventually work themselves out for the better.
Emerald
Have you talked to your Dr. about the cut in meds? Have you asked her why she thought your meds needed to be changed when they were allowing you to move around and have a certain quality of life? Being a new Dr. she may just be trying to make sure you actually need however many Hydro's you've been getting. When you see her next, or even if you need to call in for an earlier appt. perhaps you could have a conversation regarding your pain meds since she didn't give you a reason when she changed your RX. Anytime a Dr. changes your med they need to explain why.
As for going round to different Dr.'s if you've signed a Contract with your current Clinic, then that is breaking the Contract and considered Dr. Shopping, you don't want to do that. If after you talk to her she can't or won't explain her decision and you've explained how much your life has been effected by the lack of meds., then you'll have to make a decision whether to quit that cllnic and find a new Dr. or stay there and see if thing get better.
As Old CP explained, since this is a new doctor to you, she may have felt that the amount of hydrocodone was too much. All of us will likely run into the same situation when we change doctors, because each doctor bases their decisions about how to treat someone's illness based on their own assessment. Most will not just continue melds prescribed by another doctor, even for conditions like high blood pressure. They want to determine what Ned's and what dosages the new doctor feels is best.
A talk with the doctor is the best next step, and see if you can reach a happy medium.
There have been quite a few very recent studies regarding using opiates to treat fibro and that may also have factored into her decision.
It is worth trying to work with the new doctor and talking to her, giving you and her a chance to get to know one another and hopefully you can come to an agreement/compromise that you both are comfortable with.
You may want to discuss a long acting Med. Zohydro is a new extended release Med you may want to ask her about. Some insurance won't cover it because of the cost, but you can ask your insurance com or go to their website and look at their formulary.
Hi, I'm going to ask you a question, I don't intend it to be mean, please do not take it as such.
Since your Dr. lowered your Norco by taking 2 pills a day from you have you tried any activities to see in that small change really make a difference? Have you went out and tried to walk around the block at a brisk pace on a cool day or swim for 20 minute and work with pool floats? Maybe do some of the exercises your PT gave you?
I'm asking you this to see if your Frontal Lobe is even noticing the small missing amount of Norco, of if your nerve centers have noticed it? Sometimes when you go down on such a small pain dose, you can continue to exercise, whatever your Dr. allows and your body adapts pretty quickly to the change. Have you at lease try'd this?
It may hurt a bit at first, but changes alwary do, it doesn't mean there isn't something great hiding beneath the pain.