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Harm Reduction The Pain Management Megathread (Chronic and Acute Pain Discussion) Version 5.0 ~ V

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WOW...My heart aches as I read what y'all have been through, and continue to endure. IME, folks who don't have GI issues seem to take the whole process for granted. In other words, they don't consider how blessed they are that their "system" works. I've wondered if my pancreas was part of my problem all along. The GI said she saw a "shadow" in the "area" of the pancreas before my last surgery. I now know it was the endo webbing of my organs.

I'm told I'm an enigma. Yea, right. In today's world of drive thru service, no one wants to take on the hard cases. I've been with the top GI group in my state for 25+ years. They do tests and such, but only advise that I have inflammation and need to keep my bowels "moving". No epiphany there. :\

I can only wish that a world existed where a team of doctors worked with me on my behalf. I need a multiple disciplinary approach. Unfortunately IME doctors have their heads so far up their ass, they don't even make eye contact. Being a woman, they blame all issues on my gender.

I am so very sorry for your suffering. I do hope you can find resolution somehow. I am prescribed Oxycodone. I usually don't take it because I don't see it as the right med for me. I need 24 hour extended release med, which I cannot afford. I'm told the OxyContin which is ER was "crippled" by the anti-abuse formulation years ago.

Stef...Can you get Tegaderm films to cover your patch. They're about 3x3 sticky films that cover IVs, shunts, etc. They fit right over the matrix patch and help it to adhere through showers, sweats, etc. They're not expensive (ask Pharmacy) and can be a wonderful solution for you. Hope that helps a little.
 
Im prescribed norco daily for chronic pain, and i just saw a new doc (ive forgotten he name of the other doc and they lied and said their was no record on their little data sheet that shows the FDA prescribed pills), and i usually just throw out my bottles since no point in keeping them, boy was i wrong, im going to keep all my bottles of pills that docs dont like to perscribe, because he gave me norco 5-325 instead of 10. this is bs.

sorry for venting i know how to do a cwe to save my liver but still you lose pills doing that and its annoying, id rather just take one maybe two pills when i need it.
 
^Welcome to BL, & this thread. That sucks about your pills dude, no doubt you'll burn through them quicker if they're half your usual dose, & you'll have to explain why.. Will this be your regular doctor from now?

I'm not from the states, so not real sure on how the system operates, but over here my GP has to call to get an authorisation number which she inputs into her computer, so it's on hard copy for all to see.

One doctor, one prescriber & one pharmacy are the rules best adhered to in my country. Or else, at times, you just can't rely on them being prescribed.

What sort of chronic pain do you suffer? Are the Norcos managing this or are you going through a PM?

Sorry if I missed an intro,


Rtp
 
^Welcome to BL, & this thread. That sucks about your pills dude, no doubt you'll burn through them quicker if they're half your usual dose, & you'll have to explain why.. Will this be your regular doctor from now?

I'm not from the states, so not real sure on how the system operates, but over here my GP has to call to get an authorisation number which she inputs into her computer, so it's on hard copy for all to see.


One doctor, one prescriber & one pharmacy are the rules best adhered to in my country. Or else, at times, you just can't rely on them being prescribed.

What sort of chronic pain do you suffer? Are the Norcos managing this or are you going through a PM?

Sorry if I missed an intro,


Rtp

Theres a hard copy here, and i was legity prescribed them before many many times, so this new doctor was just bullshiting me for some reason, it was really strange. I know this story sounds strange but its true, I broke my hip/leg and have been in pain ever since and it effects the way i walk and whatnot, also have other pains as well.

going through a PM? whats that? im not going through withdrawals right now if that what you mean, sorry im a noob with acronyms haha, im well medicated atm :)

And there is a hard copy of me being prescribed them but whatever, they wouldn't refund my money so I just paid and decided ill show up next month and theyll up my dose and ill just CWE these to get to the point i need. I might be able to find some someone left ona park bench for some reason if i get lucky, if i need more.

This will be my regular doctor from now, I switched insurance. All scheduled (maybe only lvl 2) substances have a record that the Feds keep track of. so it makes no sense to me either, i really just shoulda kept all my old bottles so i could prove, but i threw em out since i didnt think i needed em lol. Now im saving any harder to get pills since Docs in the states are so fucking stingy and wont prescribe scheduled drugs very easily at all. even schedule V drugs. its really annoying.
 
^Id only like to go to one doctor too lol! My GP is scared of the government rules & regulations here & feels more comfortable prescribing when there's a PM doc involved. @SKR, you mentioned the cost of your specialist,- mine went from $100 to &150, then last visit he's upped it again to $175!

Breaking your hip/leg sounds extremely painful! Do you mind telling us what happened?

Rtp
 
OK, so the lengthy process of pain management continues. Current plan is to get me off the duloxetine over the next month, and if that goes well I can start taking tramadol as needed. Pain doc talked about Lyrica etc but I just don't think I can function if my fatigue increases.

It'll be at least September before I see a script for anything.
 
^Sorry to hear it'll take so long to get some pain relief. Is duloxetine a SSRI? I'm not familiar with that name, -I'd guess so if you have to come off of it before taking tramadol. Have you had success with it previously? What are you currently using for pain relief?

Is your PM helpful, as in, more than your GP? Are there any interventions that might be of benefit to you available?

Sorry for the mini quiz ;) I haven't seen you active on here in a while. Hope that you weren't absent due to pain.

Rtp
 
^The costs are ridiculous, insurance or not, they find a way to take your money that's for sure!
My GP is more helpful/sympathetic compared to my PM doc.
 
^Sorry to hear it'll take so long to get some pain relief. Is duloxetine a SSRI? I'm not familiar with that name, -I'd guess so if you have to come off of it before taking tramadol. Have you had success with it previously? What are you currently using for pain relief?

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) is an SNRI. It does nothing for my pain and I don't think I need it for anxiety, which is what I was originally prescribed it for. I'm starting the step down this week.

I currently take nothing for pain. I was taking paracetamol + codeine, but I've been put on modafinil for fatigue. My lay understanding is that modafinil and codeine are metabolised by the same liver enzyme - basically, the codeine does nothing while I'm on the modafinil. So I'm pretty keen to get a pain relief option sorted out. I'm still doing physio/managed exercise, but not getting much relief out of it.

Is your PM helpful, as in, more than your GP? Are there any interventions that might be of benefit to you available?

She's not UN helpful - it's just a slow and labourous process and everyone involved is reluctant to prescribe.

Sorry for the mini quiz ;) I haven't seen you active on here in a while. Hope that you weren't absent due to pain.

Rtp

No, I went away for a week for a work training thing and then had another week away from the computer because of a cold. Still kicking :)
 
^Ah, Cymbalta. I tried that years ago, but now have it marked on my file as an allergy. I had insane headaches, which thankfully I normally never do, while on it.

I just had to google "Modafinil", & I did see a mention of the CYP enzymes. That's unfortunate, about the codiene.

I was asking about your PM dr as..,just from the outside looking in, it kinda looks like you're wasting money going to her.

Sorry if that sounds rude, absolutely not my intention. What I've seen of the meds you're prescribed, your GP can easily do.

Is your pain caused by fibro? I had a vague feeling it is. Cmiiw pls. I know how terrible that can be!

Are you going to PM in the hope that you'll eventually get something written up that will actually relieve your pain ? It seems you've been extremely patient in this lengthy process!

I do hydro, which I absolutely love. It's like a big bath, taking the weight off my joints & bones is such relief!

I try to go for a walk every day, even though I'm hurting, I'd still be hurting if I was at home on the couch if you know what I mean. Sometimes it does exacerbate my pain, but I try to think of the good is doing in regard to my general health.

Can you do your physio at home it do you have to go to a clinic?

Rtp
 
if you dont have insurance your screwed haha, i got the best insurance ever free visit and almost free meds lmao.
 
lol, and I'm a dumbass, I thought I was on ADD forum.......please continue
 
@SKR, don't be silly sweetness, it is mainly ADD but others chip in from time to time.

This thread needs some livening up actually, gets hardly any bumps atm.

Rtp
 
I am 35 and as former athlete, I have the following issues:

-rotator cuff wear in both shoulders
-torn labrum in left shoulder
-back pain (disk issue)
-knee pain from an ACL surgery

I've been able to stay away from surgery by limiting my physical activities to walking, running, hiking, and weight lifting. But when I attend a crossfit class or swim/surf, my back and shoulder issues flare up.

As a former personal trainer, physical therapy I do on my own has saved me from the operating table, but there are time when I push myself and the flare up is painful.

Can anyone recommend a legit doctor in the San Diego area to see? I'm not a med seeker, but I would like the ability to get perscriptions for pain killers when I push myself too hard. Again, physical therapy has saved me from surgery but I still want to swim/surf and do crossfit from time to time even if it means I need to pop pain killers for a few days after.
 
You're extremely lucky to be "limited" to running, hiking & weight lifting! Are you serious? Do you have a clue what the others on this thread would give to be able to do such activities?!?

You say you're not a med seeker but would like to get painkillers. What are you then?

Maybe, just maybe, you could live without crossfit & as a personal trainer come up with methods to use those muscles in an alternative way.

Best of luck

Rtp
 
Hi Ambition, Mate I hear your concerns loud and clear, I consider myself a former athlete and unfortunately around your age many of us are F$^ked when it comes to backs, shoulders, knees and the list goes on. It would be great if we had such good relationships with our doctors that we were able to access a box of oxycontin/codone or morphine just to have on hand for when we are really suffering but this situation is rare, not impossible but rare.

Many years ago I had to cancel a trip to papua to walk the kokoda track with my father, cousin and a group of other keen hikers, we all trained hard for a year and due to a preexisting lower back issue I ended up having to pull out - had I had some painkillers just for the two weeks of hiking I would have gone and not missed probably the first proper man to man, father to son bonding experience my father and I so dearly needed. It broke my heart and even though my father accepted the situation I know it hurt him. Anyway.........

Unless you have forged a long running relationship with a doctor it is unlikely that you will be able to get a box of pills. For most it is likely a good thing but for a sportsman who treat their bodies with as much respect as possible they are equally as unlikely to become a drug addict but to a doctor who doesn't know you or your history it's too easy to dismiss the need for the drugs that will really help you.

I sympathise with the shoulder issue, my right shoulder has prevented me from doing certain exercises when weightlifting - the main one being the bench press. It's too rigid a movement for a joint like the shoulder so I switched to dumb bell presses as my main chest building exercise and this enabled me to lift for many years after with only moderate pain from time to time. You may just have to change the movements or exercises that exacerbate your injuries, this maybe the only way you can continue your lifestyle without losing your fitness levels.....as a former PT you know all of this anyway.

Good luck champ, chronic pain is the pits for sure.
 
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