hello to everyone, I am new to the board(long time lurker) and just want to say first how much this board has helped me deal with my chronic pain. Before I felt alone and when I found this site it really helped me understand that I am not the only one out there dealing with chronic pain. I'll do my best to make this as short as possible.
I have just been diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome(hypermobility type) and have been dealing with chronic pain since I was about 14 (22 now). I have also been diagnosed with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome after a botched L4-5 discs replacement. My nuerosurgeon failed to mention to me that the surgery was very new in the US and I felt like I was bullied into having the surgery( I was 17 at the time) He gave me no other options so my father and I trusted him to my health and he failed miserably.
My current orthopedic specialist says I should have never had the surgery due to severe osteoarthritis in my spinal cord and other weight bearing joints. I have had numerous health problems all my life stemming from what we now know to be EDS. It's an extremely rare connective tissue disorder. My body does not produce enough collagen thus the widespread arthritis, multiple dislocations of shoulders and fingers, knees and toes. I have had reconstructive surgery on my right shoulder but my surgeon is reluctant to do the same procedure to my left- due to the EDS and arthrits.
They are starting intense physical therapy and pain management for my back and joints. I am seeing a family physician who specializes in pain management at the moment. He is ok, but he refuses to up my meds (endocet 2x daily). He has been unresponsive in the past when I have told him the meds are not working anymore and that I wanted to start theraputic treatment along with the opoids. He just sits there and writes me the exact rx that I am telling him is not working. Finally he just said "that's about all I can do"
I have never asked for an early refill or failed any of my drug screenings or anything like that. My ortho has referred me to an actual clinic, but I am actually scared to see them. I have been called everything from a hypocondriac(sp?) to a drug addict. I guess my questions are has anyone had the same reaction to percocet as me? (it worked fine for about 6 months now it does not even take the edge off the pain)? Does anyone have a similar situation with their health, and what medications helped the best for you? How can I get past feeling like an addict even though I know I have legitamate problems? Should i maybe be on a long acting med instead of a short(othro calls it severe chronic pain- I am guessing this means long term pain).?
Again, sorry this is so long, but I am fairly new to all of this (not pain though!) How should I talk to my PM doctor? I just want my life back and not to be labled as a drug adddict because I have to take Opiates to feel normal. I have tried other meds along with excersies, yoga, ect. Please any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. I feel as though I am at the end of my rope with this pain. PLEASE HELP!!
hoping everyone has a pain free day!
P.s. also , can chronic pain cause anxiety? My current family doc says no it's all in my head( I do NOT want benzo's either, and i explained this to him and he still acted as though I was making up stuff so he would give me more drugs) he said that pain could cause my bp to go up but not my pulse and having panic attacks and anxiety issues when i am around people is a totally seperate issue( one that he apparently does not want to treat me for)
