butrfligirl28
12-04-2007, 09:53 PM
I thank all of you for being a support for me while my pain has been so out of control, and having a hard time talking to the powers that be at the pain doctor.
I went in today with my fiancee. The nurse talked to the both of us for about 45 minutes. I told him everything. I told him that I have done to help my pain, and tried everything I know to do, and that my pain is out of control, and controlling my life.
I stated that I am missing work, and not being able to do my job well, that I have had to stop even the simplest tasks at home, like cooking (which I love), doing laundry, washing the dishes, ect. I explained that we just bought a house, and when we went looking for furniture, after two hours, I was in tears. My fiancee and I haven't been on a date in months......I just can't tolerate it.
So he says that I am a determined person, and that I am coping with the pain. I told him most days I am at a 7 on the pain scale, and that the oxy lowers it about 30% on good days. He said, "well what do you think it would be if you were taking nothing at all?" I was dumbfounded. I said, well then I guess it would be 0%? He said that everyone has bad days, and I just need to adapt my activity level. I told him that I have adapted so much, I can hardly do anything at all. I need to work, and that I don't want to run marathons.....I just want to help around the house, enjoy buying furniture and painting my first house, cooking a meal every once in a while.
Then after looking at Lyrica (tried it, couldn't tolerate it), Neurontin (didn't help), procedures (after giving me chemical meningitis the last time, no way), and already being on Cymbalta, he says, "Well you're already on an extremely large amount of medication." What?? I take Oxycontin 10mg, and Percocet 7.5 mg.....the oxy 3 day, the percocet 2 a day. Then he actually tried to say that my only and best option now, was a PAIN PUMP. :mad: WHAT????!!!!!! Is he crazy??? I am no where near "the end" of options! They have never even tried me on a different pain med!!!
Finally, he just says, well, we'll keep you on the meds you're on, and see you next month. Keep hanging in there, you're doing well. Oh by the way.....he also told me that I am making my pain worse by smoking, so I should stop that too.
I am at my wits end. I just walked out of there so frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless. So that's the result. I got nowhere, and my pain will continue to be out of control, and I will just cope as best I can. I don't know what else to do. Thanks for listening.
Butterfly
I went in today with my fiancee. The nurse talked to the both of us for about 45 minutes. I told him everything. I told him that I have done to help my pain, and tried everything I know to do, and that my pain is out of control, and controlling my life.
I stated that I am missing work, and not being able to do my job well, that I have had to stop even the simplest tasks at home, like cooking (which I love), doing laundry, washing the dishes, ect. I explained that we just bought a house, and when we went looking for furniture, after two hours, I was in tears. My fiancee and I haven't been on a date in months......I just can't tolerate it.
So he says that I am a determined person, and that I am coping with the pain. I told him most days I am at a 7 on the pain scale, and that the oxy lowers it about 30% on good days. He said, "well what do you think it would be if you were taking nothing at all?" I was dumbfounded. I said, well then I guess it would be 0%? He said that everyone has bad days, and I just need to adapt my activity level. I told him that I have adapted so much, I can hardly do anything at all. I need to work, and that I don't want to run marathons.....I just want to help around the house, enjoy buying furniture and painting my first house, cooking a meal every once in a while.
Then after looking at Lyrica (tried it, couldn't tolerate it), Neurontin (didn't help), procedures (after giving me chemical meningitis the last time, no way), and already being on Cymbalta, he says, "Well you're already on an extremely large amount of medication." What?? I take Oxycontin 10mg, and Percocet 7.5 mg.....the oxy 3 day, the percocet 2 a day. Then he actually tried to say that my only and best option now, was a PAIN PUMP. :mad: WHAT????!!!!!! Is he crazy??? I am no where near "the end" of options! They have never even tried me on a different pain med!!!
Finally, he just says, well, we'll keep you on the meds you're on, and see you next month. Keep hanging in there, you're doing well. Oh by the way.....he also told me that I am making my pain worse by smoking, so I should stop that too.
I am at my wits end. I just walked out of there so frustrated, sad, angry, and hopeless. So that's the result. I got nowhere, and my pain will continue to be out of control, and I will just cope as best I can. I don't know what else to do. Thanks for listening.
Butterfly
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brianpain33
12-04-2007, 10:15 PM
Butrfligrl:
I can understand your frustration because I had a pain management doctor that was not very understanding. He would not put me on anything stronger than ultram since I was a recovering addict. I was up to the max 400mg/day and I told him that it was not helping enough. I was ready to give up too. I did some searching and found an understanding doctor (even though he is a PCP). I told him my situation and how much pain I was in. I told him that I knew that I would never be pain free but I didn't deserve to suffer like I was. He has put me on the fentanyl patch and it helps out quite a bit.
You really need to search and try to find another doctor. That is going to be the only way that you are going to find better relief. Obviously you are not going to get any better relief from this doctor. Please don't give up.
Brian
I can understand your frustration because I had a pain management doctor that was not very understanding. He would not put me on anything stronger than ultram since I was a recovering addict. I was up to the max 400mg/day and I told him that it was not helping enough. I was ready to give up too. I did some searching and found an understanding doctor (even though he is a PCP). I told him my situation and how much pain I was in. I told him that I knew that I would never be pain free but I didn't deserve to suffer like I was. He has put me on the fentanyl patch and it helps out quite a bit.
You really need to search and try to find another doctor. That is going to be the only way that you are going to find better relief. Obviously you are not going to get any better relief from this doctor. Please don't give up.
Brian
butrfligirl28
12-05-2007, 08:42 AM
Brian,
Thank you for your post. I am just so exhausted. You know how hard it is to fake happy, when you're not? I am having to do that everyday, and it is so draining that I feel like I have nothing left to fight with. I am so glad that it is working out for you. It gives me a glimmer of hope. Thanks again,
Amanda
Thank you for your post. I am just so exhausted. You know how hard it is to fake happy, when you're not? I am having to do that everyday, and it is so draining that I feel like I have nothing left to fight with. I am so glad that it is working out for you. It gives me a glimmer of hope. Thanks again,
Amanda
sammyo1
12-05-2007, 09:41 AM
Amanda, I feel so bad for you but I have to say the number of docs I went to before I found someone to help & understand what kind of pain I was in is unreal. I have many of those days, can't do anything & I feel cheated out of time, I cant get that time back, but I have had to adjust my way of thinking. I don't get some of these doctors they have to know we have lives we have to work & do things in our daily lives just like they do. don't give up perhaps you can find a more understanding doc, I have been told the same thing "we have tried everything" bull, that is just laziness on their part, you know that old saying walk a mile in my shoes, well I do walk in yours & I know exactally how you feel, to bad the doc. don't. so you hang in there. Sammy
badoldback
12-05-2007, 10:00 AM
Hey Amanda,
It looks like this Doctor is a dead end. Time to move on. I hope you can find some help soon.
It looks like this Doctor is a dead end. Time to move on. I hope you can find some help soon.
123dietdrpepper
12-05-2007, 10:21 AM
I agree - time for a new doctor. I also want to say I am so sorry you are going thru this. This entire pain mgmt thing stinks and I would not wish it on anyone.
feelbad
12-05-2007, 11:31 AM
Yep,new doc B fly.honestly,at the amount of oxy you are on i am not suprised that you are feeling like you are,that IS a pretty low dose for what you have been describing as your level of pain and loss of daily functions.with OC,it is a matter of titrating up til the relief is somewhat better than what the patient was experiencing before this was started.it really sounds like you just need a bit higher dose to accomodate your pain.any pain doc knows this.mine was really amazing when i first started there(i was in absolute agony when i hit their door in feb 04) and we did spend about three months of titrating and adjusting before we stabilized at 60-60-60.i have only needed one raise in four years since then.i just use alot of other modalities as well as my OC to manage the more agonizing part of things that i cannot actually take alot of the anti S meds for.but you DO deserve to have your real pain better managed and i don;t see this realistically happening with the idiot who is currently managing your pain.finding a much more caring knowlegable PM is really what you need here.it really does sound from all the problems you have ahd with these people that they have more or less already set their minds that you are not going to recieve any more types of raises for some reason.you need to move onto someone who just gives a crap about their patients pain,period.
you really DID do the right thing here in voicing things and you deserve credit for that.its too bad the idiot you spoke to didn;t listen to your situation at all.what a blow off ya know?it's pretty obvious that his mind was already made up BEFORE you even opened your mouth.thats just really sad.just pick up the pieces here B fly and move onto a better PM clinic.there has to be other options around you somewhere?even if it is a bit of a ways out for you,i really do think this would be your best bet at this point.i really cannot see this jerk changing his mind about your dose anytime soon,ya know?you just deserve better care than you have been getting.so sorry you have to go thru all this.things will get better at some point B fly.just hang in there and move on.i certainly hope you can find a much better PM who knows how to appropriately treat your pain in all the right ways.please keep us posted hon,good luck,Marcia
you really DID do the right thing here in voicing things and you deserve credit for that.its too bad the idiot you spoke to didn;t listen to your situation at all.what a blow off ya know?it's pretty obvious that his mind was already made up BEFORE you even opened your mouth.thats just really sad.just pick up the pieces here B fly and move onto a better PM clinic.there has to be other options around you somewhere?even if it is a bit of a ways out for you,i really do think this would be your best bet at this point.i really cannot see this jerk changing his mind about your dose anytime soon,ya know?you just deserve better care than you have been getting.so sorry you have to go thru all this.things will get better at some point B fly.just hang in there and move on.i certainly hope you can find a much better PM who knows how to appropriately treat your pain in all the right ways.please keep us posted hon,good luck,Marcia
Arthr Itis
12-05-2007, 11:35 AM
This might not be the right place for this and if it offends anybody....oh well. I have found that when the end of my rope is rapidly approaching the only thing that helps is to find a quiet, comfortable place and have a long talk with God. You can tell him exactly how you feel, He understands. Fred
slipperyslope
12-05-2007, 11:53 AM
I know you told him all about your pain and issues but did you flat out ask this Dr for a higher dose? I hope you did and just didn't wait for him to offer it? whjen he said the pump did you ask him Dr, can we try another pain medication? I don't see that you asked the Dr anything, you just told him bad you hurt. you need to ASK!
Good luck, and look for another Dr in the meantime this is a joke the amount your on.
SS
Good luck, and look for another Dr in the meantime this is a joke the amount your on.
SS
cpapp31
12-05-2007, 01:24 PM
Oh Amanda Sweetie!
I am so very sorry that things didn't go well with your pain doctor. I agree with everyone else, you need to find another doctor as soon as possible. I can not believe he said your next step is a PAIN PUMP! You are on a VERY low dose of Oxy and he hasn't tried any other med or an increase.
Amanda, you deserve to be treated for your pain. Please try to find a more compassionate doctor.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs,
Cpapp
I am so very sorry that things didn't go well with your pain doctor. I agree with everyone else, you need to find another doctor as soon as possible. I can not believe he said your next step is a PAIN PUMP! You are on a VERY low dose of Oxy and he hasn't tried any other med or an increase.
Amanda, you deserve to be treated for your pain. Please try to find a more compassionate doctor.
I will keep you in my prayers.
Hugs,
Cpapp
awsam007
12-05-2007, 05:58 PM
Butterfly, I'm sorry. I know how you feel. I'm going through a similiar situation. 10mg's of oxy is as low as you can go. If my doctor refused to up my meds and refused to give me any other oral meds but offered a pain pump I'd be on that. Look for another PM. Your current PM doesn't deserve your business. Good Luck.
Amen Arthritis Fred! I find when I'm hopeless and I think I can't go on God gives me just enough hope to pull me through.
Amen Arthritis Fred! I find when I'm hopeless and I think I can't go on God gives me just enough hope to pull me through.
jodom1979
12-05-2007, 08:29 PM
Yeah.. The duragesic patch has worked wonders for me.. find a new doc. My pm will not put a pump in me until I go "Down the road" and build tolerance.
BrittleBones
12-05-2007, 10:07 PM
Hi Butterfly - I agree with Slipperyslope that you need to also ask the doctor for an increase in your pain meds. Most docs probably aren't going to offer, unfortunately. And I'm not sure I read your post correctly because you talk about speaking to the nurse for 45 minutes but I didn't see anywhere in the post about speaking to a doctor....or did I miss it? I really feel for you though. I'm going to be seeing a new pain mangement doctor on December 19th and I have no clue if he will even consider keeping me at my current level of meds. In the meantime I am suffering a HUGE increase in hip pain and haven't figured out if I've broken it again or if a pin has come loose from my sacral joint fusion. I'm waiting on a slip for an xray to get here in the mail so I can have a film taken. Good luck sweetie and please don't give up!! You deserve relief.. Memere (K'Mac)
BabyOwensMama
12-06-2007, 02:06 AM
Wowza. I just read your post and went "Wow!" Then I read some of your old post and continued my "WOW WOW WOW!". I know that in a chronic pain patients quest for relief beggars can't be choosers but you have put up with this for toooo long. You are so grossly undermedicated it's disgusting. And what is this about a pain pump?? It's like going from kindegarden to college and skipping everything in between. I hope you can find a more qualified and compassionate doctor ASAP or atleast get your current one to do something,anything to show an active role in wanting to improve your quality of life. You are in my prayers and I really hope you can get the medical attention you deserve.
lavenderlily13
12-06-2007, 09:47 AM
Hey,
I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going through this. You have always been so kind and supportive to everyone on this board, and its so unfair that there are so many idiotic doctors out there, and you are having to put up with this rediculousness. It has taken me three years to finally find a doctor that I can count on to be understanding and listen to my concerns and who actually 'gets it'.
Hang in there, and I completely agree with everyone who said that your best bet is finding a new doctor. I know that is so much easier said than done, and when you are suffering like this, the last thing you need is the stress of jumping through a bunch of hoops and trying to find someone to help you manage your pain effectively without pushing their own agenda, like the pain pump....what's that? Plain nuts.
The best thing that ever happened to me was being released from the pain clinic to start seeing a primary care doctor for my pain management, are you still going to a pain clinic? Do you know any acquaintances that suffer from a chronic pain condition? If you can get the name of a doc in your area that is understanding and compassionate, it would put an end to this situation.
Start networking, word of mouth is key to finding help. Don't give up....
Good Luck!!!;)
~~lily
I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you're going through this. You have always been so kind and supportive to everyone on this board, and its so unfair that there are so many idiotic doctors out there, and you are having to put up with this rediculousness. It has taken me three years to finally find a doctor that I can count on to be understanding and listen to my concerns and who actually 'gets it'.
Hang in there, and I completely agree with everyone who said that your best bet is finding a new doctor. I know that is so much easier said than done, and when you are suffering like this, the last thing you need is the stress of jumping through a bunch of hoops and trying to find someone to help you manage your pain effectively without pushing their own agenda, like the pain pump....what's that? Plain nuts.
The best thing that ever happened to me was being released from the pain clinic to start seeing a primary care doctor for my pain management, are you still going to a pain clinic? Do you know any acquaintances that suffer from a chronic pain condition? If you can get the name of a doc in your area that is understanding and compassionate, it would put an end to this situation.
Start networking, word of mouth is key to finding help. Don't give up....
Good Luck!!!;)
~~lily
Moldova
12-06-2007, 12:15 PM
Can't agree more with others - you must see a good Spinal Ortho Dr. There are some of them out there, do your homework and go from there.
Been there done that too - it takes time and sometimes a lot of effort to finaly find a good PM also, but if you realy search and try - you will be in a good hands.
And of course this is not a reason to give up, honey, you just need a Dr who will try to help you to manage your pain. I am going now for my second fusion surgery (this time 4 levels) and i was told from the beginning I will never leave pain free life.
I don't expect miracles, just to be able to walk-seat-stand and a bit less pain - i will be happy. Just find a Dr who will custom mades your "coctail" of meds and will check on you if they work or not. In 21 month after my surgery my "Coctail" was changed couple of times in order to keep my pain from being 10 out of 10 to about 7. Some days I am still 10, but some days I can be 6 and this is because of my good DR PM.
Good luck to you and hugs (((( ))))
Been there done that too - it takes time and sometimes a lot of effort to finaly find a good PM also, but if you realy search and try - you will be in a good hands.
And of course this is not a reason to give up, honey, you just need a Dr who will try to help you to manage your pain. I am going now for my second fusion surgery (this time 4 levels) and i was told from the beginning I will never leave pain free life.
I don't expect miracles, just to be able to walk-seat-stand and a bit less pain - i will be happy. Just find a Dr who will custom mades your "coctail" of meds and will check on you if they work or not. In 21 month after my surgery my "Coctail" was changed couple of times in order to keep my pain from being 10 out of 10 to about 7. Some days I am still 10, but some days I can be 6 and this is because of my good DR PM.
Good luck to you and hugs (((( ))))
butrfligirl28
12-06-2007, 02:05 PM
Thank you all, so very much. Your support means so much to me right always, but now it is priceless. I have got to work on getting some strength back so that I can look for a new doctor. The pain is bad enough, but the horrible suggestions, like the one for a pain pump is simply so ridiculous, it could be viewed as malpractice in my opinion.
And No, I did not ask for a dose increase. I have heard SOOOO many times to never ask for an increase, or suggest a change in dose as that makes you look like a drug seeker??!! Can we ever win for trying??
Thank you my friends. I hope and pray that finding a new doctor won't be a scary and as hard as I think it will be. I have done a small amount of looking, and I may have to travel to find a good one, but that would be worth it, right?
Sincere thanks, and Hugs to all of you!
Amanda
And No, I did not ask for a dose increase. I have heard SOOOO many times to never ask for an increase, or suggest a change in dose as that makes you look like a drug seeker??!! Can we ever win for trying??
Thank you my friends. I hope and pray that finding a new doctor won't be a scary and as hard as I think it will be. I have done a small amount of looking, and I may have to travel to find a good one, but that would be worth it, right?
Sincere thanks, and Hugs to all of you!
Amanda
csx333
12-06-2007, 02:09 PM
I appreciate what you are dealing with. I found a caring, sensitive pain dr. after leaving one who I never saw (only nurses). I hope you find one if that's what you desire. Don't give up, keep looking and trying. We can hope one day the researchers will find effective means for pain management. God Bless You.
cpapp31
12-06-2007, 03:29 PM
Hi Amanda!!
WOW! Four pages from your post, I hope you know we are all rooting for you! I sincerely hope you find a compassionate NEW doctor to help you. The doctor you have is a MORON! Not only for advising you to get a pain pump, but also because they make you wait until you are COMPLETELY out of meds before they will refill. That is ridiculus, in my opinion. My doctor would never do that to me. She refills my pain meds every 28 days, this way I will never run out of my meds.
Hugs to you and BE STRONG!
Cpapp31
WOW! Four pages from your post, I hope you know we are all rooting for you! I sincerely hope you find a compassionate NEW doctor to help you. The doctor you have is a MORON! Not only for advising you to get a pain pump, but also because they make you wait until you are COMPLETELY out of meds before they will refill. That is ridiculus, in my opinion. My doctor would never do that to me. She refills my pain meds every 28 days, this way I will never run out of my meds.
Hugs to you and BE STRONG!
Cpapp31
slipperyslope
12-06-2007, 04:09 PM
I Have to disagree with you. when my pain was really bad I simply asked my Dr for an increase and guess what? I GOT one. But than again he got shut down by the DEA but seriosuly you need to at least ask the Dr. that is silly to not ask as you may get it. good luck!!
SS
SS
butrfligirl28
12-06-2007, 07:22 PM
Slippery,
I actually AGREE with you. I wish there wasn't this "beating around the bush" bull. I shouldn't have to worry so much about being labeled a "seeker" but we see it all the time. I am not a BS'er.....I tend to get in trouble for being too direct sometimes, so this is absolutely frustrating! Thanks for your post. I agree, with your disagreement. :)
Your Friend,
Amanda
I actually AGREE with you. I wish there wasn't this "beating around the bush" bull. I shouldn't have to worry so much about being labeled a "seeker" but we see it all the time. I am not a BS'er.....I tend to get in trouble for being too direct sometimes, so this is absolutely frustrating! Thanks for your post. I agree, with your disagreement. :)
Your Friend,
Amanda
painaway
12-06-2007, 11:04 PM
Amen, Fred!! It always helps me...
painaway
12-06-2007, 11:07 PM
Bfly...Girl, there's a better and more compassionate PM doc out there for you!! Just hang in there and keep that chin up. Time to gather your records and head to the next gig. I'm so sorry you had to deal with that uncaring individual, but just remember, the Good Lord has SO much better in store for you!! Prayin' for you!