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...
Hello All,
I am 33 and suffer from spinal stenosis, osteoathritis, spondylolisthesis and a few other things. Last year I had surgery on my back with about a 10%-20% improvement.
My surgeon before my surgery was pretty terrible to me often telling me that I could probably do without the pain medication and that I would eventually have to get off it. Every time I asked for a refill he would sigh and sometimes even roll his eyes.
After my surgery when I woke from the anesthesia he was walking by and came to me. He apologized to me and said he was sorry because he didn't realize how bad my back really was until he opened it up and he saw a back like mine about once a year.
I told him thank you, I needed that validation from you!
Afterwards, he took care of my PM with much more dignity and compassion.
Unfortunately, my doc moved to Chicago three months ago. I was so sad, because after so many doctors I finally had formed a relationship based on trust even though it took a huge surgery to get it, but I was still happy finally.
i went to my primary doctor and explained the situation and asked if he would treat my pain and he said yes.
The first visit, my doc was great, but on the second visit something changed and he began to treat me a lot of suspicion. He immediately cut me off two prescriptions. Let me say that before my surgery I was taking 4 low grade vicodin a day, 2 valium and one soma at bedtime- it might sound like a lot to some, but it still barely helped me get through the day.
His attitude towards me was a trigger and sent me into a mild depression, because I have dealt with this with so many doctors- not just regarding my medication, but regarding my physical condition because of my youth.
Yesterday, I saw him and asked him for a referral to a PM Center. I then asked him to put me back on valium. He began to protest and I cut him off "Look. I know you don't want to prescribe this. I know you and much of the medical profession think we can overcome this in our minds, but you took me off it before. I had no withdrawal. i could have gone to the ER. I could have tried to find some, but i didn't. I do not envison a life absolutely free of pain- I just expect my life to be bearable and the valium helps me to deal with the anxiety and muscular pain."
He looked at me and said "Well, that's what we are here for- to make your life bearable".
It has been a fight, but I will continue to fight for myself and my treatment. I beg all of you when you are ready to also fight and demand your rights.
I am so proud of myself:! I can't wait to go the PM Center also and begin many forms of therapy.
To all my fellow CPers- I truly wish you the best and am with you all as we continue to fight for our dignity in the medical community.
I am 33 and suffer from spinal stenosis, osteoathritis, spondylolisthesis and a few other things. Last year I had surgery on my back with about a 10%-20% improvement.
My surgeon before my surgery was pretty terrible to me often telling me that I could probably do without the pain medication and that I would eventually have to get off it. Every time I asked for a refill he would sigh and sometimes even roll his eyes.
After my surgery when I woke from the anesthesia he was walking by and came to me. He apologized to me and said he was sorry because he didn't realize how bad my back really was until he opened it up and he saw a back like mine about once a year.
I told him thank you, I needed that validation from you!
Afterwards, he took care of my PM with much more dignity and compassion.
Unfortunately, my doc moved to Chicago three months ago. I was so sad, because after so many doctors I finally had formed a relationship based on trust even though it took a huge surgery to get it, but I was still happy finally.
i went to my primary doctor and explained the situation and asked if he would treat my pain and he said yes.
The first visit, my doc was great, but on the second visit something changed and he began to treat me a lot of suspicion. He immediately cut me off two prescriptions. Let me say that before my surgery I was taking 4 low grade vicodin a day, 2 valium and one soma at bedtime- it might sound like a lot to some, but it still barely helped me get through the day.
His attitude towards me was a trigger and sent me into a mild depression, because I have dealt with this with so many doctors- not just regarding my medication, but regarding my physical condition because of my youth.
Yesterday, I saw him and asked him for a referral to a PM Center. I then asked him to put me back on valium. He began to protest and I cut him off "Look. I know you don't want to prescribe this. I know you and much of the medical profession think we can overcome this in our minds, but you took me off it before. I had no withdrawal. i could have gone to the ER. I could have tried to find some, but i didn't. I do not envison a life absolutely free of pain- I just expect my life to be bearable and the valium helps me to deal with the anxiety and muscular pain."
He looked at me and said "Well, that's what we are here for- to make your life bearable".
It has been a fight, but I will continue to fight for myself and my treatment. I beg all of you when you are ready to also fight and demand your rights.
I am so proud of myself:! I can't wait to go the PM Center also and begin many forms of therapy.
To all my fellow CPers- I truly wish you the best and am with you all as we continue to fight for our dignity in the medical community.
You are setting a great example and I hope more of us will do that as well.
I have had it as well... I am going from passive to proactive and it feels good!
I got into a disagreement with a doc recently and his face told me "WHAT? Why are you disagreeing with me... Im the doctor!" Well to fricken bad doc...LOL LOL He was SO shocked ... but in a way... the next time I saw him he gave me respect.
Im still deciding what I think of him - I usually give people a chance so - I will fire him If need be....
Everyone try it! Its wooonnnderful! HA HA
Bearable?!?! What kind of jack-ass in the medical profession has the gall to say that?!? I'd have stomped on his foot with my cane and then asked him, "Is that bearable?!?"
Before I started using the vibrator I was in so much pain - I would have killed for pain meds. I was very fortunate to have received the few I did receive. I was getting epidurals for the lumbar and cervical spine every 2 months when I could get them.
I have an HMO plan so I need a referral for everything little thing. Thank you all for your support.
I was on fire the other day, but today i feel a little low- I feel shame right now at this very moment because i take pain medicine. Honestly, my soul is so scarred from the media, their pill frenzy stories, doctors and friends assumptions .
I go back and forth between feeling like a pain warrior and a pain loser.
Today, I have taken 1 1/2 5/500 vicodin and 1/2 valium and I feel guilty. (sigh) Why? I was talking to a coworker and she was telling me about her son who is addicted to oxycontin and other drugs... sorry guys, my soul feels a bit screwy today.
I think i truly need some support that I'm okay- not to let society get me down and as long as I am responsible, to do what I need to do to keep going. So glad I found you all.
Thanks everyone!
I had the same thing happen to me, the surgeon & my PM thought my pain was not as bad as I was making it out to be & when the surgeon got into my cervical he found one big mess. He told my husband I must have been in agony & he thought it pretty much explained my unexplainable pain. Then 3mths after surgery I had problems & could not move my hand or arm & they felt as if they were on fire.
I spent 3 days in the hospital only to have the same surgeon say its in your head. I thought your done here. After all I had been through & the mess he found I still have to prove my pain. Heck the full extent of the damage never appeared on any test so how the heck could I prove it. The proof was in the ER reports & the condition I came in.
I never returned to him & now have this fear of doctors. I can see many of us having to be our own advocates just as you did.
I say you go girl!
Sammy
What an @ss that doc was! He says he doesn't believe you when in fact he doesn't want to be bothered with triplicate forms and DEA scrutiny. I'm glad you walked away!
@sdgirrl,
Ah ha, an HMO, no wonder! Is there any way that you can switch to PPO? Is it your employer providing the insurance, your spouse's employer? Most companies have "open enrollment" periods where you can switch. Contact HR and see what is available.
You should NOT feel guilty for taking legit meds for legit reasons, yet you do. You know this. It is social conditioning as you correctly pointed out. Make a list of why taking these meds as prescribed is ok. Brainstorm every reason why, whether major or minor and write it on a piece of paper. When you feel guilt or shame, read the list out loud. I will say definitively, that from your description, you are doing nothing wrong! Your doses are tiny too!
STOP talking to friends, co-workers, family and everyone else who is not your doctor, pharmacist, or fellow sufferer. They will only judge you and make you miserable. Maybe not every single one, but most. This is also due to misinformation parading as facts. They fear for you and comment wrongly. Some may even try to steal or get you to sell your meds, even if they lecture you! Ironic, isn't it?
Fight the good fight and put together a great team. Accept that it takes time to do this. But the quicker "wheat and chaff" are separated, the quicker you get what you need and deserve! Take care!