MisfitCharlie
08-27-2008, 05:07 PM
Hi all,
I'm new to all this have only posted once (no replies:( ) My son and I were rear ended this may ,as a result I am scheduled for a ACDF of c4&5 and 5&6 on Sept 16th. My son may have to have shoulder surgery but wont know till after the appt with the specialist on Sept 9th.
The day after the accident May13th I saw my DR. (lucky me was his last day at the practice he hadnt even told the staff yet) so he didnt do much.I went to my Chiro (have an almost 8 yr relationship with)who did x-rays and an exam,started me with massages and light adjustments .After a week he wanted me seen by a spine specialist and refered me to Dr. R and a psychologist Dr.Z ,Who he had call me at home to talk to me before my first visit one wek later.It took 2 weeks to see Dr.R for my neck due to the holidays ,but when I called they told me to come right in that dayI have to say this is thanks to my Chiro Dr.Lupo ,I feel bad for the people I've read about that have been treated incorrectly by improperly trained so called chiropracters, and have had further problems because of them.
Dr.Lupo is an amazing chiro ,plus knowing me and my family so well that he has done everything he could to get me the best care possible.
So I see spine specialist May 27th ,Dr.R I'm a mess ,major pain and in his words Emotionally compromised (lol) he gives me norco ,xanax,zoloft,celebrex Lidoderm patches.Checks X-rays they're clear sends me for Mri .3 days later I get a phone call from Dr.R giving me the results MRI shows a rupture of the 2 discs ,and a issue at the Bra strap level of my back .He is sending me a script for a bone scan ,wants me to start decompression therapy with Dr.Lupo ,I get this off VOICEMAIL needless to say not how you want to hear news like that.I call the office closed for 2 weeks .
next night I turn my head feel something pop get the most horrible pain for 5 min or so ,wake the next morning crying and vomiting (last time i felt that way i was giving birth) Dont know what to do I'm freaking so is hubby, I call Dr.Lupo he's not in, I tell them i need to see him on Mon. so he can explain the decompression to me better did'nt mention the pain, not 10 min later he's calling me back ,hears the pain in my voice tells me head to the office were going to start the therapy today ,calls Dr.R. himself and gets him to fax a script to the pharm. for me. all this was taken care of by time I got to his office 20 min later. Kelly talks hubby into leaving and getting script (oxycodone 5mg 1 or 2 every 4 to 6 hours as needed ) and she holds my hand for the first treatment. I feel kinda spoiled there.
Decompression seemed to be helping ,I see Dr.R again to really go over the MRI ,both discs are truly ruptered and pushing on the spinal column one to the right one left(having right sided probs,he dosent understand says the left should be giving me hell more than right),tells me decompression will only provide temp relief and since the discs are all over the D*** place (his words ) surgery is the answer.So he refers me to Surgeon, New scrips switched me to the oxycodone 10mg every 4 to 6 hrs as needed doin ok at this point only taking them 3 times a day so they lasted all month, next visit August 11th I'm having more pain ,numbness neverending headache ,balance feeling as bad as when i started , we discuss the surgery, follow up etc.,I tell him the oxycodone is better but only lasting 4 hours, he replied thats about right. Doubles my xanax, and zoloft ,no change in the pain med gives me 100 oxycodone 10mg, I see him again 2 weeks after surgery so not till late ,tells me call if theres a problem.Well on the 16th i again turned my head felt a similar pop and within 10 min the pain had me vomiting, now the left side is giving me as much h*** as the right ,I am right back to crying and dry heaving pain, I have tried everything i know to get it back under control and nothings working Ihave only been out of bed for therapy ,massages,bought wedge pillows ,a soft collar ,Finally gave up and called Dr.R's officeon the 21st,he and his assistant were in a meeting ,left a message about the pop,pain,and that I will also run out 11 days before surgery, mads barely lasting 3 hours etc.. No call back on that day. call fri.office closed leave voicemail checking to see if message got to dr or cissy no call back on mon. I wait call tues. Cissy thought he called will call me back in 20 min, 2 hours later she calls just to let meknow they were swamped and he will call me that day.Today finally she calls Dr.R says he cannot write me more oxycodone by law for 30 days,and on the 11th he will fax a copy to the Pharm for more ,if it gets to bad go to the ER and have them call and he will instruct them on what to do.Sorry it took so long to get to my problems ,prob the shortes part of the whole thing.
1 Can't he give me something different other than the oxycodone or like the norco again for in between.
2 How do you know when you should go to the ER for pain.( I've had stitches with no lidicain 'so I always though my pain tolerence was good till now)I feel like a freakin crybaby.
3 I know right now my brain function is not 100% but if i am allowed 4 per day 100 only is a 25 day supply not a 30 day one, I will be out on the 5th of Sept. I counted and even dropping to 3 doses per day still leaves me short by 3 to 4 days. What I'm taking now Just barely keeps me from freaking, and the stress of getting ready for surgery ,my first since a c section in 88 ,now knowing I will have even less pain relief .
I don't think I can cope much longer.
Misfit
I'm new to all this have only posted once (no replies:( ) My son and I were rear ended this may ,as a result I am scheduled for a ACDF of c4&5 and 5&6 on Sept 16th. My son may have to have shoulder surgery but wont know till after the appt with the specialist on Sept 9th.
The day after the accident May13th I saw my DR. (lucky me was his last day at the practice he hadnt even told the staff yet) so he didnt do much.I went to my Chiro (have an almost 8 yr relationship with)who did x-rays and an exam,started me with massages and light adjustments .After a week he wanted me seen by a spine specialist and refered me to Dr. R and a psychologist Dr.Z ,Who he had call me at home to talk to me before my first visit one wek later.It took 2 weeks to see Dr.R for my neck due to the holidays ,but when I called they told me to come right in that dayI have to say this is thanks to my Chiro Dr.Lupo ,I feel bad for the people I've read about that have been treated incorrectly by improperly trained so called chiropracters, and have had further problems because of them.
Dr.Lupo is an amazing chiro ,plus knowing me and my family so well that he has done everything he could to get me the best care possible.
So I see spine specialist May 27th ,Dr.R I'm a mess ,major pain and in his words Emotionally compromised (lol) he gives me norco ,xanax,zoloft,celebrex Lidoderm patches.Checks X-rays they're clear sends me for Mri .3 days later I get a phone call from Dr.R giving me the results MRI shows a rupture of the 2 discs ,and a issue at the Bra strap level of my back .He is sending me a script for a bone scan ,wants me to start decompression therapy with Dr.Lupo ,I get this off VOICEMAIL needless to say not how you want to hear news like that.I call the office closed for 2 weeks .
next night I turn my head feel something pop get the most horrible pain for 5 min or so ,wake the next morning crying and vomiting (last time i felt that way i was giving birth) Dont know what to do I'm freaking so is hubby, I call Dr.Lupo he's not in, I tell them i need to see him on Mon. so he can explain the decompression to me better did'nt mention the pain, not 10 min later he's calling me back ,hears the pain in my voice tells me head to the office were going to start the therapy today ,calls Dr.R. himself and gets him to fax a script to the pharm. for me. all this was taken care of by time I got to his office 20 min later. Kelly talks hubby into leaving and getting script (oxycodone 5mg 1 or 2 every 4 to 6 hours as needed ) and she holds my hand for the first treatment. I feel kinda spoiled there.
Decompression seemed to be helping ,I see Dr.R again to really go over the MRI ,both discs are truly ruptered and pushing on the spinal column one to the right one left(having right sided probs,he dosent understand says the left should be giving me hell more than right),tells me decompression will only provide temp relief and since the discs are all over the D*** place (his words ) surgery is the answer.So he refers me to Surgeon, New scrips switched me to the oxycodone 10mg every 4 to 6 hrs as needed doin ok at this point only taking them 3 times a day so they lasted all month, next visit August 11th I'm having more pain ,numbness neverending headache ,balance feeling as bad as when i started , we discuss the surgery, follow up etc.,I tell him the oxycodone is better but only lasting 4 hours, he replied thats about right. Doubles my xanax, and zoloft ,no change in the pain med gives me 100 oxycodone 10mg, I see him again 2 weeks after surgery so not till late ,tells me call if theres a problem.Well on the 16th i again turned my head felt a similar pop and within 10 min the pain had me vomiting, now the left side is giving me as much h*** as the right ,I am right back to crying and dry heaving pain, I have tried everything i know to get it back under control and nothings working Ihave only been out of bed for therapy ,massages,bought wedge pillows ,a soft collar ,Finally gave up and called Dr.R's officeon the 21st,he and his assistant were in a meeting ,left a message about the pop,pain,and that I will also run out 11 days before surgery, mads barely lasting 3 hours etc.. No call back on that day. call fri.office closed leave voicemail checking to see if message got to dr or cissy no call back on mon. I wait call tues. Cissy thought he called will call me back in 20 min, 2 hours later she calls just to let meknow they were swamped and he will call me that day.Today finally she calls Dr.R says he cannot write me more oxycodone by law for 30 days,and on the 11th he will fax a copy to the Pharm for more ,if it gets to bad go to the ER and have them call and he will instruct them on what to do.Sorry it took so long to get to my problems ,prob the shortes part of the whole thing.
1 Can't he give me something different other than the oxycodone or like the norco again for in between.
2 How do you know when you should go to the ER for pain.( I've had stitches with no lidicain 'so I always though my pain tolerence was good till now)I feel like a freakin crybaby.
3 I know right now my brain function is not 100% but if i am allowed 4 per day 100 only is a 25 day supply not a 30 day one, I will be out on the 5th of Sept. I counted and even dropping to 3 doses per day still leaves me short by 3 to 4 days. What I'm taking now Just barely keeps me from freaking, and the stress of getting ready for surgery ,my first since a c section in 88 ,now knowing I will have even less pain relief .
I don't think I can cope much longer.
Misfit
Sponsor
feelbad
08-28-2008, 01:06 PM
quite a story there,unfortunetly i can too relate to what you are dealing with. one thing here,is it possible for them to actually send you to a good pain manahgement doc while waiting for that surgery? either that,or if the doc that is rxing you your meds right now,could possibly try the longer acting version of the oxy it would probably help alot in keeping your pain a bit more stable. the key to maintaining good pain management is to try and keep as much of an "even" overall blood plasma level going at all times. that kind of takes away the ups and downs in our pain and keeps you from feeling like you are constantly trying to chase your pain all the time,i am sure you know what i mean?
one other thing here. when your doc told you he would 'fax" your new Rx,that simply is not possible with a class II script(with something like vicodin,you can since this is only a class III med). it HAS TO be the original script or the pharms know to not fill it or they could get into trouble. one thing he COULD do however is actually just mail it to your pharmacy for you, this is what my pain clinic does every 28 days with my two class II scripts. now THAT would be acceptable to the pharmacy. just call his office and let them know where you are actually at with regards to your meds. they should be able to simply do this for you. you simply cannot fax a class II script or add refills to it either, it always has to be the orignal copy with a one time fill on it,always.
since you are kind of in the 'home stretch" here with regards to that surgery coming up soon,he may not want to place you on the longer acting version but it would not hurt to simply ask if there is a better way to keep things more constant. that may key him into at least trying the longer acting meds for you.
at any rate,if you really feel like this is just getting to be too much here,simply do what he suggested,and go to that ER,you may get that change you need sooner vs later ya know? when your pain gets too out of control on any particular day,just go to that ER. he IS the one who told you to actually do this ya know? he may be just assuming that your pain is not as bad as you feel it is,and by going to the ER,well,you are simply telling him that your current pain plan is not enough to hold back your pain anymore. it just comes down to what we feel about our pain is not the same as what our docs actually assume it is,ya know? we are the ones who feel it everyday and are the ones who have to find a way to deal with it and cope with it,they don't. going to that ER will simply let him really know that you just cannot handle your pain being managed the way it currently is. you need his help. since he told you to do this if things were too out of control,go with the flow here and take him up on his offer to help you if it got to that stage. this is really what i would do if this were me given what that doc told you to do.
sorry i couldn't offer you more help here with this. hopefully going to that ER will get your true pain needs met. please keep me posted,K? good luck MF,marcia
one other thing here. when your doc told you he would 'fax" your new Rx,that simply is not possible with a class II script(with something like vicodin,you can since this is only a class III med). it HAS TO be the original script or the pharms know to not fill it or they could get into trouble. one thing he COULD do however is actually just mail it to your pharmacy for you, this is what my pain clinic does every 28 days with my two class II scripts. now THAT would be acceptable to the pharmacy. just call his office and let them know where you are actually at with regards to your meds. they should be able to simply do this for you. you simply cannot fax a class II script or add refills to it either, it always has to be the orignal copy with a one time fill on it,always.
since you are kind of in the 'home stretch" here with regards to that surgery coming up soon,he may not want to place you on the longer acting version but it would not hurt to simply ask if there is a better way to keep things more constant. that may key him into at least trying the longer acting meds for you.
at any rate,if you really feel like this is just getting to be too much here,simply do what he suggested,and go to that ER,you may get that change you need sooner vs later ya know? when your pain gets too out of control on any particular day,just go to that ER. he IS the one who told you to actually do this ya know? he may be just assuming that your pain is not as bad as you feel it is,and by going to the ER,well,you are simply telling him that your current pain plan is not enough to hold back your pain anymore. it just comes down to what we feel about our pain is not the same as what our docs actually assume it is,ya know? we are the ones who feel it everyday and are the ones who have to find a way to deal with it and cope with it,they don't. going to that ER will simply let him really know that you just cannot handle your pain being managed the way it currently is. you need his help. since he told you to do this if things were too out of control,go with the flow here and take him up on his offer to help you if it got to that stage. this is really what i would do if this were me given what that doc told you to do.
sorry i couldn't offer you more help here with this. hopefully going to that ER will get your true pain needs met. please keep me posted,K? good luck MF,marcia
MisfitCharlie
08-28-2008, 07:04 PM
Now I know why
OMG I am stunned....I spoke with Dr.Lupo after my massage,he couldent understand why Dr.R did'nt give me something else either,since he knows how bad the discs and feels horrible he can't fix me and that I have to have the ACDF done. so he was going to call and see what he could do, According to Dr.R he's concerned I'm over medicating ,how he came to this is beyond me, I have exactly what I should have left according to the date and the amount per day allowed. I even told Dr. Lupo if Dr.R wanted to count them himself fine.Dr.Lupo says not to worry ,hes sees me 3 to 4 times a week and can see the progression ,but how can i not as of today to make it I have to take half of my prescribed dose to get to the 11th(,which is 5 days before surgery)I've been on painkillers since mid May the Oxycodone i got on June 26,first time my neck poped and 10 + pain hit ,so norco 4 times per day and oxycodon for if it got bad I switched to full time Oxycodone ir on july 17th 10mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed.At this point I needed all 4 doses each day just to keep from crying and dry heaving.Has been working till the last pop 12 days ago ,I toughed it for 5 days before calling spent 60$ on wedge pillows rested iced did it all before I asked for a higher dose or a breakthru med.
I am so p***ed he would think this and if he did why did he not speak to me himself about it ,instead of running me around for 6 days only to make me feel like a druggie.I had never asked for anything extra before this.and he had no problem doubling the dose of xanax on his own i never askes for an uppage.since before this you were hard pressed to find an asprin in the house, now I'm overmedicating by taking as directed.
Why do I feel the need to defend myself ,I really want to go to his office and dump whats left on his desk ,and ask how can I be over medicating when I have the right pill count and was able to drive to your office ,take a good look in my eyes and tell me it's not pain , granted by that time I'd be in a pain rage and who knows what will happen...keep your eyes on the news.
as for the scripts they are actually taken to a pharm that was in his building till 2 months ago and only d moved a block away from his office ,Dr.R has a good relationship with them so they do prob do cut him slack at timesREMOVED
Painless night to all,
Misfit
OMG I am stunned....I spoke with Dr.Lupo after my massage,he couldent understand why Dr.R did'nt give me something else either,since he knows how bad the discs and feels horrible he can't fix me and that I have to have the ACDF done. so he was going to call and see what he could do, According to Dr.R he's concerned I'm over medicating ,how he came to this is beyond me, I have exactly what I should have left according to the date and the amount per day allowed. I even told Dr. Lupo if Dr.R wanted to count them himself fine.Dr.Lupo says not to worry ,hes sees me 3 to 4 times a week and can see the progression ,but how can i not as of today to make it I have to take half of my prescribed dose to get to the 11th(,which is 5 days before surgery)I've been on painkillers since mid May the Oxycodone i got on June 26,first time my neck poped and 10 + pain hit ,so norco 4 times per day and oxycodon for if it got bad I switched to full time Oxycodone ir on july 17th 10mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed.At this point I needed all 4 doses each day just to keep from crying and dry heaving.Has been working till the last pop 12 days ago ,I toughed it for 5 days before calling spent 60$ on wedge pillows rested iced did it all before I asked for a higher dose or a breakthru med.
I am so p***ed he would think this and if he did why did he not speak to me himself about it ,instead of running me around for 6 days only to make me feel like a druggie.I had never asked for anything extra before this.and he had no problem doubling the dose of xanax on his own i never askes for an uppage.since before this you were hard pressed to find an asprin in the house, now I'm overmedicating by taking as directed.
Why do I feel the need to defend myself ,I really want to go to his office and dump whats left on his desk ,and ask how can I be over medicating when I have the right pill count and was able to drive to your office ,take a good look in my eyes and tell me it's not pain , granted by that time I'd be in a pain rage and who knows what will happen...keep your eyes on the news.
as for the scripts they are actually taken to a pharm that was in his building till 2 months ago and only d moved a block away from his office ,Dr.R has a good relationship with them so they do prob do cut him slack at timesREMOVED
Painless night to all,
Misfit
Laenini
08-28-2008, 11:54 PM
Call and make an appointment to see Dr. R. ASAP in person. You may find that his tone is totally different in person than what his nurse was communicating to you over the phone. Also, don't ask for more pain medication. Instead, ask him what can be done to help you manage your pain symptoms until the surgery. Leave your question open ended like that and let him tell you what he can do. Sometimes when patients ask for "more of drug X" providers start thinking the patient is being motivated by the drug, not their condition. By asking the provider to use their professional judgment to decide how best to make you comfortable and by making that request in person, you are more likely to have your needs met.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing?
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing?
sammyo1
08-29-2008, 07:15 AM
I am so very sorry to hear your story. Both responses have a point.
I am surprised but at the same time not. Surgeons only like to prescribe to many meds, it seems to me. I am suprised that you have not had the surgery yet & he must know your in pain so dont get that. Surgeons tend to do that after surgery. If this surgeon has a problem covering your pain Maricia (feelbad) has a point get into a good pain managment doc.
I am going to tell you, if you anticapate any pain post op, meaning there is a chance you will be left in some pain long term, get into PM now. Sounds like you have a surgeon that can't be trusted to take care of your pain issues for any length of time after surgery.
I get the dry heave just through the roof pain, so I really do feel for you.
I would go into ER if thats what it takes. I noticed where you live & that is not far from me, so we have some good PMs (pain magagment doctors) in the area. Truely I would be fearful if I were you of being left in pain by this doctor post op. Do you have a GP or PCP who would cover your pain till you can get this surgeon to do so? Its not humane or good for you to be left like this.
I was left hanging to post op, discovered I should have taken advice & been into PM. Its a nightmare that noone should be left to deal with. I hope you find a solution soon. If you want to find a good PM start asking around now, word of mouth seems to be the best way of finding a good PM, there is a Pain management board to, someone may be able to give you some advice there. Please keep us informed & take care, Sammy
I am surprised but at the same time not. Surgeons only like to prescribe to many meds, it seems to me. I am suprised that you have not had the surgery yet & he must know your in pain so dont get that. Surgeons tend to do that after surgery. If this surgeon has a problem covering your pain Maricia (feelbad) has a point get into a good pain managment doc.
I am going to tell you, if you anticapate any pain post op, meaning there is a chance you will be left in some pain long term, get into PM now. Sounds like you have a surgeon that can't be trusted to take care of your pain issues for any length of time after surgery.
I get the dry heave just through the roof pain, so I really do feel for you.
I would go into ER if thats what it takes. I noticed where you live & that is not far from me, so we have some good PMs (pain magagment doctors) in the area. Truely I would be fearful if I were you of being left in pain by this doctor post op. Do you have a GP or PCP who would cover your pain till you can get this surgeon to do so? Its not humane or good for you to be left like this.
I was left hanging to post op, discovered I should have taken advice & been into PM. Its a nightmare that noone should be left to deal with. I hope you find a solution soon. If you want to find a good PM start asking around now, word of mouth seems to be the best way of finding a good PM, there is a Pain management board to, someone may be able to give you some advice there. Please keep us informed & take care, Sammy