IMHO drs all over are under the pump to prescribe less opiates. It started in the states, but has now even spread to Australia.
The primary care drs especially want a specialist involved to sign off & write letters stating exactly why patients require strong pain meds & what for. No dr wants to lose their licence over a patient ODing.
It's always been a double edged sword for us pain peeps. We need opiates, drs prescribe them, turn us into drug dependant patients who can't go without their meds but as tolerance builds,- unless your dr is willing to raise the dose, you'll end up self medicating & running short each month.
Rotating opiates & finding what works & what doesn't for you. Finding a route of action that provides better pain relief.
Yes, the companies keep trying to make less abusable drugs, but just like addicts,- Cpp's are amongst the most imaginative & resourceful ppl & will take huge measures to do what they can for pain relief.
Of course the "doctor shoppers" will always have made their imprint & we will always be scrutinised & judged on whether opiates are the best choice for our type of pain. If you're on high doses the computer software will "red flag" you, god forbid your usual dr is on leave. You may or may not get your script!
Closeau, are u referring to my post of especially specialists playing us like puppets & that they pull the strings as long as we dance for them?
I'm of the same opinion of yourself. I used to say that when I was new to PM I felt as though the dr was the judge & the jury,- I was simply attending & answering yes or no to his questions.
One day, which did take a cpl of years,- I decided he was on my payroll. I was paying him Au$175 per consult, I saw him roughly every eight wks, i had (over two yrs), twenty inpatient ketamine infusions at his recommendation in a private hospital which my Health Insurance Fund paid out Au$10,000 each time, (I pay over $2000 annually for myself & sweetchildofmine to have top hospital cover). I'd also had multiple day stays at the hospital where I tried all sorts of nerve ablations, epidurals, facet joint injections etc.
It was time for me to step up & go to him with my own research, thoughts, wishes for opiate rotation, when I thought of the money I'd paid him, directly or indirectly I had a new stance & I think he liked it.
I wasn't going to let my PM dr tell me what wrkd better for my pain, as he wasn't living in my body. I'd read up for days prior to appts & he was then telling me I should study science,- that I had the head for it & could grasp concepts of different pains & their receptors & pathways. It finally felt we were equals.
That was prior to the hit & run of course, the brain injury & numb hand/ painful arm/ neck.
Had my scans today which I wouldn't wish on anyone. Very confronting being back in a neck brace, tight cushioning wedges of foam to get my neck at the correct position, a cage like plastic lock on helmet/face mask, & the big circular piece of MRI machine close enough to touch my nose, lips, boobs, belly lol. While I stood/sat on a metal six inch deep seat.
After the first angle I said " i need out for a moment". The radiographer let me move around then I had to get back in position to have more wedges stuffed around me & another six mins of scanning. Unfortunately, I did this in between each modified neck angle. Sounds wimpy, but guys,- it was so tight & I can't compare it to anything atm to give u a clearer pic. I'd also had 10mg Diaz.
The final one was with my neck flexed down, I knew this was it as I not only had pains shooting down the inside & outside of my arm (and a superior neck ache by now), but again I felt as though burning needles were being poked under my fingernails.
I was on the verge if a panic attack and so close to screaming to get me out. It took all I had to think this is how I'm gonna find out what's wrong & if I need neck surgery or not. If physio can do the job. It was excruciating and I kept thinking, one more minute, one more minute, I've waited over six mths with a numb right hand.
Finally over!!
Then I was going straight for a normal MRI. I asked for a ten min break & my friends hubby (who'd thoughtfully accompanied me was brought around to me so I could take more pain meds & Diaz.
Thank god it was just a standard MRI with dye for contrast. Not twisting & turning. Just flat on my back with the radio playing between the bumps & buzzes, drumbeat noise, drilling noise. I almost dozed off!
The husband reminded me I needed copies of the scans on disc for this friday, I was also given a snazzy USB to give to anyone who wishes to see my results. Apparently the neurosurgeon will contact me once he has reviewed the films...the trouble with hvng a neurologist & a neurosurgeon in different cities. They may have different opinions.
Ok, I'm sure this goes down in record for a longest post, & five others have posted in between. I guess I just have a lot to say tonight!
Take care all, you're in my thoughts. Welcome to the new posters,- though ur perhaps not necessarily new to BL.
Rtp
