=PAIN: RELIEF, MANAGEMENT, MEDICATION RITUALS.. One of the most demoralizing, offensive, humiliating , demeaning and embarassment occurrance is when you go to a pain management office and they (too often a NP) starts questioning you in a "sno-nose" way about WHY you need all these meds, what sort of meditation /relaxation techniques do you use/ have you tried new anti-depressants (as tho the pain didn't come first) : in some cases you have to humble yourself and listen to such qts as: what kind of drugs do you crave, have you craved street drugs, what have you done to obtain drugs illegally, are you craving illegal drugs rather than Rx drugs.
These kind of questions do nothing to solve the problem when the only plan involves a bandaide and not a very big one, at that.
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Pain relief, chronic pain and pain management
Explore topics in this discussion:
Exercise Surgery Chronic pain Meditation Physical therapy Foot drop Phobias Constipation Pain
17 replies
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- Newest first
- By craftycat
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 11:42 am
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I can identify with you and the issues surrounding chronic pain and pain mgmt. Believe me, you have my deepest sympathy/empathy. No one can live with chronic pain for days/weeks/months/years without getting depressed with CP (chronic pain). There is no enjoyment to life or quality of life. When a person feels like jumping from a 10-story building rather than going on with constant, non-stop pain, there is something terribly wrong with our medical system. I am 64 years young and have entertained the thought of marijuana because I have heard that it helps with pain. I have never been around "street" drugs and haven't a clue where to even get illegal drugs. It is a sad, sad affair when a 64-year old woman has to entertain such thoughts because of inadequate pain management. Doctors and/or PA's are so demeaning that instead of worrying about addiction to legal drugs they should be more concerned about those of us who they are turning out into the streets for pain relief. I am sorry for you and I am sorry for me. Even sorrier because it was a "doctor" who caused my chronic pain by carelessness in the operating room over 20 years ago. No lawsuit, so that was never the issue. I just wanted some relief from this horrible, non-stop pain. Again, I feel for you, me, and others who are suffering with non-stop, chronic pain.
- By janetbd
- Posted September 4, 2009 at 1:46 pm
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Thanks for your reply..Only those who haven't experienced it run their mouths and play psycho-therapist. Too bad they couldn't exchange a few days with us. Some of the worst abusers of prescription meds are in the med. profession. Have worked with many, some were close friends; but, those are also the ppl who are the most critical and often profile pts. in pain as "drug seekers". As an RN and having worked in various areas, I know mistakes are made, covered up, charts "doctored",; but I have also written Drs. up and know that other DRs. will refuse to take action against their own. There is loyalty among the ranks and few Drs. speak out against ones they work with and around. That's why you've got some that are "expert witnesses". They don't practice, just sell their services to lawyers. Thanks for commenting. janetbd
- By businesslady77
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 7:29 am
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I sympthasize with you. I too have had chronic pain most of my life. Fibromyalgia.I've had a lot of accidents over the years.A lot of Doctors think it is in my head. I had to keep searching for Doctors until one understood my problem. They are a few out there. Even though I am beat down on some days, I try to exercise, even if only 5 minutes & it really helps the muscles, even if only stretches. My heart goes out to you.
- By janetbd
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 8:11 am
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I believe chronic pain sufferers belong to a 'mutual admiration society' because only we can relate to what the other is saying and truly understand. I've noticed that if you're young, it's much harder to convince a Dr. that you truly are in pain and NOT looking for a'high'. My daughter is 39, CFS with chronic pancreatitis,so the first impression the med. prof. has of her is 'drug seeking'/ she came so close to dying (herniated bowel) because of the profiling. I know there are treatments that would be effective and give so many a chance at life as opposed to just existing; however, the tunnel-visioned med. community refuses that option . Sad for so many who could achieve so much if they just had what they needed to enable them to carry on. Sometimes you just don't have enough fighting strength to go into battle to try to change things, and it is a battle. Appreciate you comments. Hope you have better days ahead,too. Take care....janet
- By janetbd
- Posted September 5, 2009 at 2:28 pm
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All too often the mention of legalizing marijuana brings to mind freedom to use cocaine, meth, crack & all that other junk that has no medicinal value. Marijuana studies have shown that it is non-addictive, no withdrawal, does not lead to stronger drugs, no aggressive behavior and can be taken in many different forms other than smoking. It's going to take a lot of pushing to get it legalized, tho and I think the main reason is that too many ppl in positions of power make money from illegal use but wouldn't if it was legalized. Just my idea. Most ppl know someone who knows someone who knows someone else. Stays in the system (test +) for up to a month at least and because of the stigma surrounding it and prohibitive laws, can be a px. Such a waste of opportunity for relief for so many ppl. Nausea was never a px for me, even during chemo nor lack of appetite but some ppl really could benefit from those particular molecules that prevent nausea and enhance appetite. I neither need it nor want it but I DO want it for others and think they have a right to medicinal use &otherwise.
- By RoseyQ
- Posted September 25, 2009 at 11:07 am
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Being a chronic pain person, I have nothing positive to say about the big business of medicine in the U.S. It is an any thing goes as long as it makes someone lots and lots of money, train wreck. The indifferent/mocking/morally judgmental doctors/nurses/techs I have encountered, along with their useless treatments (mostly caused by their narcotic phobias learned in school) continue to add to the total disrespect of a person living with chronic pain. I wish them all a chronic pain condition. I know then that they'd wake up and give chronic pain the respect it deserves.
Here is a helpful website for pain sufferers: www.painfoundation.com
- By deebelle
- Posted September 26, 2009 at 9:07 am
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I was so surprised when my Physiotherapist wanted to put me on a pain med. She said until the pain was lowered I would never benefit from physical therapy. It would be too painful and I would just never come back. Oh my God! She understood!!!!!
Dee
- By janetbd
- Posted September 26, 2009 at 6:55 pm
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I understand exactly what you're saying, RoseyQ and I agree. "Profiling" almost took my daughter life. And deebelle,so happy for you; you are one of the fortunate ones. What makes this so hard for others to see and understand?. janetbd
- By arlene212
- Posted September 27, 2009 at 1:09 pm
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Being in chronic pain myself , from medical mistakes 10 year ago, I do think Marijauna is a good pain remedy for some people, but not others.
Someone having a medical certificate for his son, where my husband works, sent home some pot with my hubby as he knew what chronic pain I am in and thought this may help me. Well, the 3 cigarettes did not do a thing, and the big brownie I ate the next day done nothing, and I am in severe pain 24 hours a day. Never stops.I am all for if it helps people, but I do know some in Oregon where the medical pot is legal, and many of them sell . I believe in it being legal, but when people are buying boats , etc with the proceeds of this,,not good. It will eventualy lead to it not being legal. My doc wanted to give me a certificate to grow it. Well, it is not something that I think is going to do me any good, and further more I don,t even water my regular plants ....
Arlene
- By Kate1212
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 12:25 pm
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I'm suffering from the worst chronic pain I've had in a long time. It hurts to move, sit, lay down, walk. I had a spinal procedure a month ago and things have been worse since then. But the doctor has his pride and it seems that's more important.
I'm having a knee replacement soon. I've already had one. I have a foot drop and I've had tendon surgery in right ankle.
I really try to live a "normal" life. I try to believe I can work when I know it's putting me further over the edge. And that's working from home as a writer/editor. But it hurts to sit.
Right now I'm juggling whether to take on a long term freelance job or have the surgery.
Can anyone help me make a smart decision?
I appreciate it.
Kate.
- By janetbd
- Posted October 11, 2009 at 4:04 pm
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If you have the pain in your buttocks, there is always the possibility of the sciatic nerve being involved. If you have pain on the pressure points (mid areas of your buttocks where the sciatic nerve passes over the hip bones) you may have a pinched nerve. I suppose you've already gone through testing though to rule out a disk or myofascial pain that affects connective tissue. When muscles, tendons and ligaments are involved, injections into these trigger points sometimes brings relief. Beyond that, in a perfect world you'd be able to go to a pain mgmt Dr. and get on medication to enable you to continue your work and live with less pain. It's the same old story, either thinking you want the euphoria of beng on drugs or just don't have enough pain to warrent a pain mgmt program which includes the medication that would provide you with a facsmile of a normal life. When a Dr. suggests massage, pyhsical therapy, etc, he doesn't always consider that these things are not free nor are they always covered by insurance and often require your driving to the place to get these things done...all of which is expense not everyone can afford. Pain is a subjective thing, preceived by everyone differently. Hope you are able to find help ..I would tell you to continue to go to your MD and keep trying to make him understand the severity and disabling factors associated with your complaints. Not all pain mgmt Drs. require a referral. If you know one that doesn't, make an appointment. Good luck and keep us informed/ janbd
- By piper35
- Posted October 15, 2009 at 2:50 pm
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i too was dredding the pain dr. but thank god i have the best dr. out there who at no time in my 2yrs has ever made me feel like a drug head he is the best. now the pharmacy on the other hand has made me feel like i was wrong or doing something wrong but i have pain and i need my meds.
- By janetbd
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 3:12 am
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I won't start about Pharmaceutical co.s nor pharmacies but i have to say , they have no business even making a judgement. Their business is to fill the rx. If at all poss. Please..look them straight in the eye and ask..".Do you just not need my business.?.would you be more comfortable if I called my Dr and told him that you were questioning hs professional judgement(?) and ask if he needed to talk to you?? My family, friends and I will use another pharmacy." These are the things I always want to ask and have in one case involving my daughter. Later told the phar't that my Dr. was disturbed by his question his professional ethics and advised me to go to another drug store. (hadn't really said it but enjoyed seeing him squirm. It's just not their place to question or play your moral conscience. That's where you sometimes later on find some type of drug mishandling within the business eventually. Happened with a pain mgmt Dr I went to. Try not to let it get you downeven tho I know it just adds to the frustration on the whole situation. At least you have the Dr, that's way over half the battle. Take care..janetbd
- By Kate1212
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 9:01 am
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I have never been denied pain medication. I've been taking it for four years. And I've had various spinal procedures during that time, but none seem to work.
The medication does not take the pain away but makes it a little easier to move. When my pain mgmt. dr. looked at my xrays, he said "you'll be on pain medication the rest of your life."
One annoying side effect is constipation.
- By janetbd
- Posted October 16, 2009 at 6:37 pm
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Glad your feeling better. Your post on 10-11 sounded like you were having some extreme pain. Agree with the SE of pain meds. janbd
- By AnnHurts
- Posted November 9, 2009 at 6:20 pm
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I have been lucky with pain management. The last big PM group I went to was like a mill. Always busy. They never denied me anything I needed.
I go to a single doctor practice now. I was close to one of his first patients. He is working very patiently with me to help the pain with my multitude of issues. I have so much pain from my spine, pelvic area and fibro, that it is difficult to pinpoint it.
For those of you who have had issues with pain doctors, I think that just plain sucks and they are in violation of the pain act. They should be reported to their state board and the AMA.
Huggles,
Ann
- By janetbd
- Posted November 10, 2009 at 10:12 pm
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AnnHurts: Hope this Dr. will help you and make tremendous improvements in your quality of life. Anything less than that should be unacceptable in the medical profession. Am waiting to see what kind of affect the new health care plans are going to have on those of us who are on medicare. There were changes from 2008 to 2009, even tho it may not have been evident to everyone. As a ca pt still within the 5yr follow-up, the frequency of my visits & tests changed according to the policy changes in medicare. Does not exactly inspire confidence in the health care system and it's yet to be seen what will happen in the next few yrs. Anyone who can not see and does not believe that the quality of care decreases once you go into a government sponsored program like medicare (caid) or VA, must also believe in the tooth fairy and unicorns. When I was on Blue Cross/ Blue Shield..there were no limits to the procedures that were readily available. However, regardless of the supplemental insurance you have and the cost, because Medicare will always be the primary payer, the other Ins. will only pay the amt not paid by medicare. We ALREADY have a governmentally run health care system if you're disabled or live long enough....those are the facts..some ppl do not understand this and think that a "public option" means something different. It doesn't. At some point..your Dr. is NOT deciding what will be done OR how OFTEN...Medicare is dictating it and Medicare is a government-run program. If you don't think so...read your new 2010 Medicare booklet..it states it on almost every page: a government run program.
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