• N&PD Moderators: Skorpio

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The fuck is your doctor talking about? He can write for whatever he wants. I see scripts for small quantities of narcotics daily. It is so frustrating but actually rather enlightening from my view as I rarely have long, in depth conversations with many PM patients. Dixie, feel free to private message me for pricing help, as it is against BL rules to do it out in the open but I think it is evident you arent some bullshit artist and I may be able to help.
 
He probably is correct about the Oxycontin but maybe trial it and see. Why cant you take biologics like Humira or Enbrel. I was going to suggest that but wasnt sure if you had RA or not.

Anti-TNFalpha treatments and shingles are about as contraindicated as it gets. You essentially block one of the body's main pathways for dealing with viral infections. We're talking about possible blindness, deafness, and in rare cases loss of taste and/or smell with the severe shingles flair ups that may occur, especially if there is already eye involvement. You do not even consider that outside of cases so extreme they don't even merit discussion outside of beers between rheumatology and infectious disease fellows.
http://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/20090217/arthritis-treatment-ups-shingles-risk

Try looking into CBD from a different PM doc if they don't seem open to even discussing it (it may not be appropriate for your case but at least ask them to explain why), or with your family physician. I know Obamacare is a half-aborted half-cancerous "free market" attempt at the sweet sorta-socialist paradise that is Canada but have you looked into seeing if you can get government drug coverage? http://www.legalconsumer.com/obamacare/topic.php?TopicID=9&ST=MS

Your pain doc may have their hands tied due to strange regulations, some sustained doses of oxycodone cannot be prescribed in high doses as generics as the old formulations were far too easy to abuse. But, to reiterate what I believe from what I've seen in this thread to be decent options: a trial of omeprazole, morphine suppositories, CBD as your physician recommends, and discussing possible alternative feeding options.
 
MINE is a complicated case...obviously. It was BEYOND complicated before I sought PM (what a joke). I have explained how many renowned "specialists" I have seen of late. Please don't ask me to make sense out of nonsense.

Yes, the SHINGLES onset began a few months into med trials. I have also explained what I think contributed to the viral outbreak. It's this bat shit crazy PM doctor, and the STRESS this HORROR SHOW of "healthcare" has dumped on me.

NO...I cannot take biologics, Eps...I know the risk. I know the unmitigated HELL of having this shit in my eye/face that WILL NOT go away. I have taken numerous rounds of anti-virals to battle this curse, and forced to take Neurontin, which I swore I'd never again do. NO ONE, and I mean NO ONE can know the suffering of this unless they have lived it. The commercials try to "pretty it up" with actor portrayals of people with shingles. I never knew I was old enough, nor was my GP (at the time) vigilant to advise the "preventative" injection. I have suffered with the virus for over a year now.

YES, I am "lucky" in the sense that the virus has not infected my cornea/retina and blinded me. I am also "lucky" it hasn't caused Bells Palsy. IT's hard to feel "lucky" in my skin. It feels like fire ants in my face/eye/scalp. My vision has been compromised, but I am well aware that it could have been worse. The evil monster antibodies still rages in my blood.

I am well aware that I need a medical TEAM APPROACH working in sync to manage my HEALTH. I don't have it. It doesn't exist for me. The surgeries have been done. The money has been made. The papers have been published. I'm an "ENIGMA". I've seen the best the Southeast has to offer, only to be scoffed at and told I'm old and fucked, so just deal with it.

I'm trying. I really am. No, there is no Calvary coming to my rescue. I AM the Calvary for everyone I know, except my dear husband of 35 years. Once again, I must leave to go and tuck in my 89 yr. old mom at the NH. I have 5 older siblings that scattered like cockroaches when she and my dad were all "used up". He died in 2001, just days after 9/11. She fell and broke her hip/THR surgery in 2005. She is the Spawn of Satan, yet she is my mom. There was no way she'd allow home healthcare, so she had to go into a NH. She has been abandoned by everyone but me. I do not want to ever have to live with regret. I digress.

Please know that I am listening to your suggestions. From the bottom of my heart, I am touched that strangers would help me. No, ya can't make this shit up. No, there is no PAP that will even consider me as a qualifying candidate for help. I came to BL because I need a frank discussion of possibilities to give me a modicum of QOL.

Y'all have a good night, I hope. I'll check back later. I promised mom ice cream tonight. :D
 
You can still get vaccinated even if you have/had shingles, Dixie. Of course you need to not have an active infection and meet other criteria but it is an option nonetheless.

Epsilon, I did miss the fact Dixie was battling shingles. I doubt any physician would prescribe Humira or Enbrel or any of the others but there are studies saying the TNFa blockers are not as big a risk at reactivation of the virus.
 
No harm, no foul...I'm a tough nut to crack.

Meanwhile, Dixie continues to BURN DOWN with no hope of extended pain relief that I can afford.

Do I just take the fucking Oxycodone as prescribed along with the Gabapentin (low dose)? I feel I'm in limbo, waiting for a miracle pain med that doesn't knock me out cold, yet I can also afford it. No doubt the stimulant properties of the Oxycodone help me to overcome the crippling pain, but shouldn't I FEAR this med long term?
 
Hey Y'all...I don't see my PM until 9/25. So, I ask the same questions as my post #45? Do I keep taking the Oxycodone?

I realize that no one can make the decision for me. I would, however, prefer that decision is an informed one. I've been at this for over a year and a half. My PM keeps taking me back to Oxycodone. My GP tells me to take it to ease my pain, and allow me to live my life.

It seems it has destroyed SO MANY. Is it the Oxycodone or the individual?
 
My PM keeps taking me back to Oxycodone. My GP tells me to take it to ease my pain, and allow me to live my life. It seems it has destroyed SO MANY. Is it the Oxycodone or the individual?

Oxycodone is used as a component of pain management for a reason: it has comparably fewer side effects then morphine with good oral bioavailibility. You should keep in mind that if you're taking it as directed, for a legitimate underlying pain condition, there is considerably less concern that you'll end up in a sticky situation regarding addiction/dependance, as your doctor will presumably keep you stocked with a steady supply of oxycodone.

It's really a "lesser of two evils" call you should make: do you live with the possibility that you might need to taper or discontinue opioids eventually, or do you live with the pain?
 
QUOTE: It's really a "lesser of two evils" call you should make: do you live with the possibility that you might need to taper or discontinue opioids eventually, or do you live with the pain?

Thanks, Sekio. I believe that I will be in PM for the rest of my life.

I have a plethora of "legitimate pain conditions". My PM doctor thinks that considering my GI absorption issues, the bioavailability of Oxycodone is premium.

I'm just scared. I can't afford extended release (prefer longer lasting 24/7) after laborious research.

So I guess I've answered my question haven't I?

I appreciate all of your consideration and kind efforts to assist me in my dilemma.
 
Remember Dixie, you may be dependent on oxycodone but not addicted. It is the addiction that destroys people, not necessarily the dependence. Did you get my PM?
 
Hey KC...I know I sound ignorant (and often feel that way) but I don't really understand the difference between dependence and addiction. I've never been one to abuse medication.

The best way I can understand is my use of Ativan for anxiety for almost 30 years. I take 2 mg per day. My dosage has never increased. I take it only as prescribed. I know that my body "depends" on that dosage and I'd be in a helluva shape without it.

I've taken Zoloft for depression since 1998, after years of trials that didn't work for me. Again, my 100 mg per day has not increased. The PM doctor wanted increase to 150 mg per day (which I tried). I didn't see the benefit, so went back to 100 mg. If somehow I fail to take nightly dosage, I have brain zings by morning. SO...I know my body "depends" on this med as well.

The thing that scares me about Oxycodone is this: It wears off in less than 6 hours, which is laughable. Yet he won't prescribe more than 100 per month. He tells me to "make them work". WTF? My point is this: If I need more and he won't prescribe...I'm screwed. Why pay the high cost of PM if your pain is not being "managed"?

I read of SO MANY who ramp their dosage to the point that large amounts don't ease their pain. Is that tolerance? I don't understand that either.

I am far more deeply depressed as my hopes have been dashed for actual "management" of pain. IMO, I've wasted almost 2 years listening to this Bozo because options are limited for PM doctors who still prescribe. I held off taking the opiate route for decades. But now, something's gotta give.

I need pain relief that DOES NOT SEDATE. Oxycodone doesn't truly relieve my pain, but it helps me to cope, and find the motivation to move forward. The small dosage of Gabapentin for shingles takes the "edge" off the need to claw my eyeball from the socket.
 
Hey KC...I know I sound ignorant (and often feel that way) but I don't really understand the difference between dependence and addiction. I've never been one to abuse medication.

The best way I can understand is my use of Ativan for anxiety for almost 30 years. I take 2 mg per day. My dosage has never increased. I take it only as prescribed. I know that my body "depends" on that dosage and I'd be in a helluva shape without it.

I've taken Zoloft for depression since 1998, after years of trials that didn't work for me. Again, my 100 mg per day has not increased. The PM doctor wanted increase to 150 mg per day (which I tried). I didn't see the benefit, so went back to 100 mg. If somehow I fail to take nightly dosage, I have brain zings by morning. SO...I know my body "depends" on this med as well.

The thing that scares me about Oxycodone is this: It wears off in less than 6 hours, which is laughable. Yet he won't prescribe more than 100 per month. He tells me to "make them work". WTF? My point is this: If I need more and he won't prescribe...I'm screwed. Why pay the high cost of PM if your pain is not being "managed"?

I read of SO MANY who ramp their dosage to the point that large amounts don't ease their pain. Is that tolerance? I don't understand that either.

I am far more deeply depressed as my hopes have been dashed for actual "management" of pain. IMO, I've wasted almost 2 years listening to this Bozo because options are limited for PM doctors who still prescribe. I held off taking the opiate route for decades. But now, something's gotta give.

I need pain relief that DOES NOT SEDATE. Oxycodone doesn't truly relieve my pain, but it helps me to cope, and find the motivation to move forward. The small dosage of Gabapentin for shingles takes the "edge" off the need to claw my eyeball from the socket.

Ask your pain doc for an increase in dosage keeping the number of pills steady, assuming you aren't using a enteric coated pill you could well benefit from increased smaller doses which you can simply split off of larger pills. Seriously though, I looked up your state's prescribing regulations and it made me want to flip my desk with how oddly specific and Byzantine it is.
 
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