I signed up for a doctors' pain newsletter, and I think they are being terrorized regarding prescribing opiates. I'd been on Tylenol #3 for many years and it really helped me to have some kind of life. I was sent to the drug addict doctor, by my primary of 3 1/2 years. He dismissed me as a patient, and he told me he didn't believe I was in pain. I have autoimmune disease, and a very messed up back. So I'm going off of codeine, since I don't want to go looking for a new PCP who is frightened of me taking it. I was pretty much writhing in pain the other night, and thought of going to the ER, but I figured what was the use?

They are coming out with studies that if an ER doc gives anyone an opiate, they will be leading their patient onto heroin. Then there are all sorts of studies of how bad they are for the patient. (Of course, all drugs have bad side effects.) You can't really work in an ER without being pretty healthy. It's a physical job. So they are not very empathetic about pain, and they read the hysterical pain literature which is coming out constantly now. I don't know how it is going to change, unless the voices of people with chronic pain are heard.

Did you see the gastro doctor? Any answers or help there?

I am sorry but not surprised to read your comments. I think common sense and compassion have gone right out of the window when it comes to managing chronic pain. Anyone who prescribes pain meds is pretty much subject to a witch hunt these days. Patients with a legitimate need are dismissed as being drug seekers and/or crazy.

It isn't fair or right. To hell with patient care... J, I just don't know what to tell you. I just want your I know that I care, feel your immense frustration and am hoping that someone is going to listen to you one of these days soon. Hugs!!

Ditto above, but I was told ages ago that nerves can become essentially "hypervigilant" and react to stimulus as pain that aren't painful in the "normal" popoulation. Most of thsoe studies are not based on a wide population sample that I know of, but I'm not up to date on the literature. I'd say that the ER docs are by and large a-holes.... to deal with trauma, and not be traumatizied, they shut off emotion. Done, over, poof. My BIL's wife was an ER nurse and she's a classic case of pain-denying byotch from hell. (She laughs about the time she made a guy walk to X-ray on a broken leg, to prove he wasn't really in pain. OMG.).... Point being.... Everyone is convinced that if it weren't for vicodin, West Virginia would be just fine, so obviously, giving painkillers is why everyone is an addict. Despair, lousy economic prospects, etc., not at all a factor. *headdesk*

It's insane how certain they are that we'll all end up shooting heroin if we get a one-time dose of 3 mg of morphine for, say, a broken leg. *eyeroll* I'm from a family 0f addicts, and that is *not* how it starts. Or stops. But someone has to "break the chain of supply", so theyr'e targeting the doctors. Not, say, the pharmacists who sell it out the back door, or steal it and sell it on the street, or the people who make it at home and sell it, nope, they have no role at all in any of it, it's all b/c a broken leg got a vicodin...?!?!?!

I also have heard a few whispers that make me think docs are starting to blame the patient --- e.g., "you have defective nerves in your brain, so painkillers won't help" --- to avoid the issue, when they don't sincerely believe the hype.

I'll also note a lot of addicts and mis-users (like my late sis) would be stopped not by stopping prescriptions, but by having a centralized data base so a doc can see if you've seen *another* doc and gotten a *similar* med... That also stops abusers from getting away with bouncing from one ER to another and so it's not a "repeat" visit on the medical records.... But that's my idea. Has its problems, I admit, but geez! (Oh, and the scum who steal prescription pads? Can get around the safeguards against that. They steal the prescriber's authorization number thingie.)

Sorry, too tired to be coherent but so freaaaaking sick fo being in pain and being tired out by needing four meds to do the work one bloody vicodin would do, y'know? ARGH.

That's exactly what I needed to hear :) It helps me put it into perspective when dealing with doctors. I actually overheard the consult doc speaking to my ER doc and he said verbatim, "well she's not going to like to hear this...do you want to give her the good news or should I?"
That's where I got pissed off. It wasn't Mr. 20 year old telling me how I feel....it was overhearing the conversation and then getting him to admit what he said. I spoke loud enough so as Mr. Good News could hear. He actually, did back up and go, oh okay. So, this is the conversation I like to have. I am getting better at being specific or at least trying. I wish they would vanquish the fibromyalgia Dx off of my chart. Really girls, sometimes I think it is code for....can't keep track of all client's symptoms, dx, so we'll just code it crazy. F'ers....those lot of 'em like it. There are some good ones out there like in any profession. But, I agree. They are probably getting squeezed up the wazoo with ACA and regulations. I know my profession has and I get cranky too.

i was in the ER 5 times for stomach pain and nausea and throwing up everytime i tried even ice. I ended up getting a central line in me and for 10 weeks NOONE could figure out what was wrong. I am NOT sayign this is whats wrong im just saying this is how i was treated. I was treated like it was all in my head like there was nothing wrong iwth me. My neurologist finally figured out i was having a mental break down and it was shutting down my body, i was in the ER 7 more times before admitted for being suicidal. I had one ER dr WHO btw is NOT allowed ot work on me unless its a dire emergency, walk into triage by the nurse, tells me, what are YOU doing here again, i said i am suicidal, he says, werent you just here for that yesterday? I said yes but i stillam so i am back. That night i was finally admitted for 2 nights to their hospital to be medically cleared fo rhte psych hospital i went to for 12 more days. Hes also the one that before i got suicidal said there was nothing wrong with me it was all in my head BEORE examining me. If i even had a drop of water i would double over in pain. I lived off iv fluids for 10 weeks with that central line in me about 6 to 8 weeks i cant remmember. Many here know what i went thru. Some drs think they are God and when they cant figure things out they figure there must be nothing wrong. Keep looking for answers, if i hadent i woulndt be here today, if i had let that dr scare me away i would not be here today.

Love those conversations when it is your day to be invisible in ER/hospital. So glad that you busted those two idiots. Shame on them! It's not appropriate under any circumstances. Did I say disrespectful and condescending too.

It is hard enough to be sick , alone and have to keep your wits about you because of the medical staff who are supposed to *care* for you,

No answer except to continue busting chops and maybe file a complaint with hospital. More hugs because you need and deserve them!

Well, in general I was under the impression that people with fibro feel pain more acutely/intensively than "normals" . That being said the amount of pain we feel is also very real whether it is fibro related or something else. I believe this info came from my former Rheumy that retired. I miss him so much! Also, he once told me that when a test comes back mild this or that - it doesnt always correlate with the amount of pain felt by a person whether the person has fibro or doesnt have fibro.

I would file a complaint with the hospital. I hope you get some answers soon to what is going on and that leads to an effective treatment plan. When is your appointment with the GI Dr?

And also BIG HUGS TO YOU

Thanks girls. I really need BIG HUGS!

Angela: OMGOSH!!!! Your story is so helpful to me. I don't understand what a central line means? As my counselor said to me yesterday...there must have been some fight left in you to make yourself go to the ER and get admitted for being so on the edge. I think that is what it was done to me.
Exactly, Fantod regarding being sick and alone. The not knowing, being mocked, and feeling utterly alone, has made me unhinged. Normally I feel like I can take a lot and I have taken a lot; but having an acute infection, then having these complications just when you think you are all better, and being totally alone, just sucks beyond.
In my mind, I thought well, I didn't know I had cholecystitis/gallbladder issues because I was masking the pain with pain meds, so I'd better get off them so I have "someplace to go" when I do get pain meds. Not good when it's 3am and you're in horrible pain.
Mililly: yes, I put in a call to the one hospital where I had surgery and then the doc would not even test for blood in the stool. She was wicked horrible ...wicked. I will definitely file a complaint. She actually put me in the room next the ER door and the hospital was empty. Again, shift end. AND, get this, I have their own ER nurse telling ME to come in and that they were going to call an ambulance. I know pain gets worse when you are alone and in fear...but there is something really wrong here. That's what happened with my gallbladder...I suffered needlessly a very long time until it became acute. I need to stay better because work is just getting harder and harder and I have nothing saved.

I am so fragile now. It has been one thing after another. I mean, sh.... how much can a person take?

OH, G.I. doc is Monday but he is a 2 star doctor!!! I have hmo this year because Aetna pulled out of Texas. It's horrible. Docs are dropping off like flies.
Yesterday, for sure, I thought, I'm tired of suffering, back on pain pills, but I had already tapered down to none. I dunno, what do you guys think?