Please, PLEASE wish me luck tomorrow guys

[ozzybug]

Hey Everyone-
I do hope you are all having a good day. Today is a very nervous day for me. My mind is racing and I can't seem to settle myself down.

If you remember, I posted a while back that my pm doctor had lowered my Norco from 7.5/325 mgs to 5/325 mgs and was talking about hyperalgesia. Tomorrow is my appointment with him, and I am really worried that he is going to discontinue the Norco. When I last spoke with his office, they also mentioned something about their new policy on use of opiates. Again, this worried me.

I have researched and pulled a ton of information up about opiate induced hyperalgesia, and from what I see, I just do not fit into that category. As I mentioned before, I am not using the high power opiates, and have never once complained that my pain is increasing and have also never once asked for an increase in meds- NONE of the meds I am prescribed. I have just been so happy to be able to have some relief and be able to start enjoying a more normal life again! As a matter of fact, Norco is the only opiate I use. The other meds are things such as Neurontin & Depakote. I don't even use the muscle relaxers that he had me on when I first started seeing him. We discontinued those a couple months ago. I have been totally compliant and have done everything he has asked of me and never once complained or refused to do anything!! I've never missed an appointment, or even been late for one, and I have to drive clear into the next state to see him. (That in itself causes much pain by the way...)

Guys, if I have ever needed prayers & support, it's now. I am taking the information I printed with me to the appointment tomorrow and am going to plead my case. I pray with every ounce of my being that he listens to me and understands and will NOT discontinue the Norco. If he does, then I will end up back at square one- sitting on the side lines and missing out on life. Lowering the dose has already caused problems, but at least it's something. Something is better than nothing. I feel almost as though I am going to have to beg for him not to take away one of the things that has made an improvement in my quality of life.

Please everyone- pray for me. If you are not a religious person, then please send positive thoughts my way. Thank you for listening. Take care!

[IZZY'SMOM]

Hi Ozzy~
I just sat here and said a prayer for you...I know how you feel, I need to call my doc tomorrow and tell him I need a bit more help, and hes alread so good to me, Im afraid Ill end up blowing it. He was so thrilled to know I am back doing the things I used to do, but he wont be thrilled if he knows Im having to take more of my meds to do it. What craziness!
Anyway, take your info with you, and make sure you explain to him just what you wrote to us here...If he would hear what your plea was to us, and took away your meds, he would be a total cold hearted jerk.
I dopnt think that will happen...I have a feeling that he will take care of you, and if something DOES happen, then we will halp you deal with it then. but I honestly dont think it will, Ozzy...Think positive. and Be Positive when you are in there with him. Be assertive and fight for your life. thats all i can say~
My thoughts and prayers are with you and PLEASE let us know how the visit went. Im sure it will be ok, Ozzy, honestly~
xoxoxoxox,
IZZY'SMOM
P.S...Why is their office "mentioning" their new policy? Did they not explain it to you since you have so far to come? When they even said that did you ask them what they were referring to? Thats wierd...

[ozzybug]

Thank you Izzy-
I appreciate your kindness! His office mentioned their new policy when I spoke with them about my refill for the month. They had to fax them because my last visit was in March, and they wrote the scrips with no refills and told me to call them the week before my refills were due. I called them like they told me to and told them that my refills would be due the next week and that's when they mentioned the new policy. The girl said that at my next appointment the doctor would want to discuss the new "use of opiates policy". I didn't ask any questions because the girls who work the phones do only that. They aren't involved with any of the other stuff. It just made me feel like they are "preparing" me for him to discontinue the Norco since hyperalgesia was discussed at my last visit, and then the new policy mentioned over the phone.

I just don't get this whole hyperalgesia thing ya know??!!?? How can someone who doesn't live with chronic pain do some kind of study and tell us that our pain is actually caused by the meds? If this were true, how then can they explain why I hurt so bad for years before I ever started taking the Norco??? Since seeing my pm doctor, my pain has gone from an 8-8 1/2 down to more like a 4-5 range and I am totally ok with that. I've NEVER asked for stronger meds or even more meds. I have never run out early, and have never once told them that my pain is increasing.

As for you and your situation, I will say a prayer for you. It sounds like your doctor works really hard to help you, and I am very happy that you are able to get the help you need. It really sucks to hurt, and it's horrible to feel afraid to be honest about your pain levels. You know, we didn't ask to have this pain, and it's all compounded when we are made to feel like our pain isn't a valid thing. Even worse is when we are made to feel like some kind of junkie or something......what are we to do?? Don't we deserve a fighting chance?

Please take care of yourself, and know we are here for you. I'll send a prayer your way, and you please let us know how it goes.

Hugs

[IZZY'SMOM]

Thanks Ozzy~
But after I read your response about the refill policy? I dont think you are going to have any problems...I think they are just trying to start something new and have been told to let every patient know. Please dont get scared, I dont think you are going to get your Norco taken away at all. My sister works for a PM doc in the front office and I Called her and shared your post with her...hope you dont mind.
She said the same thing...Probably a formality that they are all having to tell pts, so they dont get sued...and also with your history and meds you will have no probs. I think the hyper crap he said to you got you so upset and i can see whyt, but maybe hes doing that to patients to see what their reactions are, and if they are even educated on the subject. OR hes a D head....guess well see...You will be fine ozzy...thanks for the prayers~
xoxoxxoxoox,
IZZY'SMOM

[Fabrashamx]

Ozzy,

You will be in my thoughts and prayers, hang in there! My advice is to plan for the worst case senerio, that way anything short of that is good news. If this doctor has decided to stop prescribing narcotics because he saw an out by jumping on the hyper-analgesia wagon, so be it. You CAN and WILL find another doctor! I thought it would be the end of the world if I lost my doctor, I didnt have any health insurance or anything, but I found someone kind and so can you.
If he takes you off the meds, I would ask him, how long a 'trial' he wants before he decides your pain is real and puts you back on? what if your pain spirals out of control, can you go to the ER? ER docs hate when us CPers land there because of lousy pain management, it uses a resource at a high cost that could easily be avoided. Ask if he will be willing to refer you to another doctor who will prescribe? I'm sure in his perfect world, a week from now you will bound into his office claiming to be cured
But we all know the reality is you are going to be sick and in terrible pain if he does this. Have a back up plan in place, even if its the ER. call your insurance and ask for the name of another doctor, ask friends and family for recommendations, or people on this board for doctors in your area.
I hope all this is a moot point, and he will leave you on your meds tomorrow! Please post and let us know how it goes, we care about you!
Sending good thoughts, Fabby