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...
I have chronic back pain from a back surgery 9 years ago. I take no narcotics of any kind for the pain. I went to the ER. for the pain and the dr. immediately assumed I was only in the ER for pain medication because I was a drug addict. Never mind that assumption was wrong. His attitude was I was a drug addict and he stopped there and made assumption about me without asking one question of me. I was so pissed and I told the nurse that the assumption he made was wrong about me because I haven't had one narcotic in 9 years. How do you change the attitudes of doctors who automatically make the assumption you are a drug addict because you are in pain. I think doctors are really loathe to believe in anything they can't see in an x ray. The pain clinic I am wanting to go to has a six month waiting list I can't even call until May. I am just really frustrated because I can't get the help I need.
surgery I had on aherniated
surgery I had on aherniated
I was injured before doctors became so paranoid about prescribing opiate pain meds so I know how blessed I was even tho I sometimes wonder if way back when there could've been more alternatives since I have purposely gone off of my pain meds at times before to find that I am not an addict but that I would have no quality of life without these meds staying off of them for over 3mos one time going from a cane to a walker/wheelchair.
I have a friend now who is having severe back problems and was told by a good ER doctor that he has a slipped/ruptured disc which is now pushing on a nerve that is sending the pain down his left leg. He knew the ER closest would not help him so he went to another one that is one town over/close by.
This doctor did prescribe him 20 Hydrocodone and Flexeril giving him a paper about chronic pain, what it means, and how this is something he has suffered from for more than 3mos.
His doctor was closed due to the snow and then had his regular office closed as it always is on Thursdays. He couldn't even make an appt since nobody was there for 3 days after going to this other ER.
On Friday morning before his doctor opened, his back seized up on him in a very bad way and he ended up taking the paperwork from the other ER that he was at on Tuesday and also took the list of meds he was prescribed telling the ER doctor at the closer place what the other ER doctor had told him with NO x rays as he was in the hallway and truly wanted tests more than pills although he needed them.
He explained to this ER doctor on Friday how his own doctor had been remained closed which they are aware of and was finally given x rays that didn't show anything but was also treated very kind and given more Hydrocodone. That doesn't happen at the ER close by and it depends on the doctor also.
Now he has an appt for Monday with his family doctor and wants this doctor to do tests, an MRI or whatever is needed to show what is wrong with him.
I think only because he had pain meds left which was beyond the time he should've did the 2nd ER doctor feel ok to prescribe him more knowing he wouldn't be able to get into his doctor before Monday.
Personally, I am a firm believer that if it was me going to this ER close by, I would be treated like a drug seeker even though I have my own meds so I have stayed away on purpose and would only go if I thought I had broken something or really was very ill and I wouldn't even be asking for anything and would tell them I have my own meds yet still be treated that way.
No, you can't change the fear that has been brought upon ER doctors and other doctors who fear writing any opiate meds or ones that treat people like drug seekers which is not fair to you; someone who is suffering as bad as you are and haven't taken any meds like that in 9yrs.
I also advise that you see a doctor before this 6mo waiting period and/or look for another in the meantime that could possibly get you in sooner be it for alternative meds or non narcotics possibly finding one that is willing to prescribe a low strength opiate.
That is NOT doctor shopping. You are put in a bad position of having to wait half of ONE year to get any help.
You can't wait that long.
Who knows as you may find one that you like even better that would be a better doctor or you may find one that you don't like but you have this waiting pm place in the meantime.
You do need tests; an MRI and that would be a wonderful thing to be able to take to the doctor 6mos from now and one that should be done now so they can possibly see even a difference in a 6mo time period.
My thoughts are with you and I hope you can find some relief before one half of a year goes by.
Get another Doctor to treat you, sometimes we need to drive further than what we like to get the help that we need. Search towns around you and see if you can get into a pain Doctor sooner. Go to; www.doctorsforpain.com or/and www.raceagainstpain.com and check for pain management Doctor's in your city and surrounded areas, if you find one that is taking patient's now, make an appointment, bring all of your records including MRI's, CT's, etc. so that way they can see how they can help you best.
Take care and I hope that you can get help way before the month of May!
Tipper
Try to get some pain meds from your family doc or OB / GYN until you can get in for your May appointment.
Unfortunately, assumptions and stigma go with the CP territory. My pain doc is great, but I have been looked at askance by other docs and medical people who did not know my whole situation or just have a bias against opioids.
Doctors cannot argue with reports and film.
I do this god forbid of an accident, but it works when you need to see an ER doc.