Opioids Tell Pain Doc about Stress Exacerbating Pain?

[Eva 33]

I suffer from severe constant chronic pain, and am prescribed opiates by a pain management doctor. My doctor is a good doctor and is sympathetic to my pain. I've been seeing him for 5 years. Prior to seeing my PM doc, I suffered for years with inadequate pain meds and incompetent doctors. I truly am grateful to have found a sympathetic doctor who understands my excruciating pain condition and my need for opiates. Without opiates, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning. The pain is that severe.

I've always been completely open and honest about everything with my doctor. I would never do anything to mess up our doctor/patient relationship of trust. He is fairly generous with the opiates, but obviously he is also strict and has to follow every law to the letter.

I wonder if I should admit to my pain doctor that recent financial stresses are exacerbating my pain? This is 100% true, and my financial situation has suddenly become quite dire. The stress over not knowing where my next meal will come from is driving my pain levels through the roof! I have issues with rent, health insurance, student loans, credits cards, and even the bare necessities like food. This Jan. 1st., the rug got pulled out from under me financially---with NO WARNING.

On a chronic pain forum, I once read a CP patient advise, "Never tell your pain doctor that your pain is caused by anything other than your disease. Mentioning financial or family stresses could backfire on you". (Apparently pain docs worry about patients "self-medicating" their stresses away, even with a legit pain syndrome). Do others here tend to agree with that statement?

I don't know if I should just tell my pain doc that my pain has suddenly gotten worse, and leave it at that. Maybe that could backfire on me, too. But I've never before told my pain doctor much about just how stressful my family and financial situation are. I've alluded to it, but the situation was never before dire enough for me to elaborate on it. My doctor knows I don't have that much money, but he doesn't know just how close to poverty I might be. (My car is 26-years-old and keeps having problems. I can't afford a new used car, so that creates great stress).

I also don't know how I'll pay the rent or my health insurance or my student loans. It's all coming down on me at once, which is causing horrible stress and greatly increased pain. Any advice over whether or not I should mention any of this to my doctor is greatly appreciated! (I did briefly mention that I'm experiencing recent family and financial stresses, and told him that the stress sends my pain levels through the roof). But perhaps that's as much as I should say? I certainly wouldn't want to get labeled as having "mental health" problems or "self-medicating" behaviors. I think I need to be very careful here, so I just wondered if anyone can offer any advice, please.

Thank you in advance!

 

[lookyboop]

If your feeling as though paying for any meds will make your situations worse then just tell you docter your low in cash and need cheaper not brand name meds. If you tell your docter your feeling pain from your finacial situation then one of two things will happen. He will either give you axiety meds or he will watch your meds closer and psoiblle limit you in fear you will abuse them. In either case it's not the best idea to tell him thhT specifically.

If you just want stronger meds then Just tell him exactly what's goig. On. Tell him your feeling more pain (don't no the reason why) and he will suggest higher dose or stronger meds. Your docter should be involved in your physical life, not necessarily you personal life.

 

[Eva 33]

Thanks for the excellent information, looky. I'm so glad that I asked here, instead of revealing too many personal problems to my pain doctor.

I have one other question, if anyone can please offer any advice. Due to my severe financial problems, I may have to get a job. (I haven't been working for several years due to my illness). If I get a job, I know that both my stress levels AND therefore my pain levels will increase quite a bit. (I know from past experience).

Also, I am an absolute night owl, so anytime I have to wake up earlier than usual (for work, appointments, etc.) my pain levels are also exacerbated. My pain doctor does routinely ask about my sleep. I am prescribed sleeping pills due to my pain; I couldn't sleep without them. He has no problem giving me sleep meds. However, if my sleep is routinely shortened/interrupted due to having to wake up earlier than usual, my pain levels will go way up. (Again, I know this from experience).

I just thought I'd ask opinions about revealing work stress and/or associated lack of sleep and thus increased pain levels to my pain doctor. On the one hand, I'd think that any pain doc would know that the combo of work stress and lack of sleep equals an increase in pain levels. On the other hand, I think that I need to be cautious as to how much personal info I divulge to my pain doctor. Thanks again for any advice!

 

[Mr.Scagnattie]

Just tell him you are in more pain without the reason if you're worried about his reaction.