Re: Introduction-Welcome !

[Guest guest]

,

Hi, and welcome! My name is Jen, and I'll be 35 next month. I have

chronic low back pain as well, mostly caused by sacroiliitis. I

also have Fibro, chronic widespread tendonitis, peripheral

neuropathy, and a really screwed up auto-immune system that can't be

put in a neat little category.

Most of my pain and other problems started 3 1/2 years ago, when I

took an antibiotic called Levaquin, and had a VERY nasty adverse

reaction. Basically, along with attacking the bacteria I had from a

sinus and ear infection, it also caused my body to start attacking

itself. A myriad of other things happened after that to add to my

pain, but I won't bore you with that long story!

I have a really wonderful husband too....I don't know what I would

do without him. We've been married for 14 1/2 years, but together

for almost 16 years..we've also known eachother since the 5th

grade. We have 2 children, girls, Keeley is 15 and Meghan will be

13 next month as well. I also have 2 feline children, Shadow, a

black American Shorthair, who thinks he runs the house, and Sammie,

a calico/tiger mix...she was a rescue from the Humane Society, and

was close to feral when we got her. Now she's a big, spoiled baby!

I live in North Central Ohio.

How horrible that your boss forced you to quit because you used your

sick days, and pretty much called you a drug addict. Too bad you

couldn't sue her or something-sounds like she deserves it! It's sad

that your new doctor in Illinois cut you off of opioids cold

turkey...that is just cruel! I took Vicodin ES prior to being

switched to Oxycontin, so I know what you mean when you say it's

woefully inadequate in comparison. I could never go back!

I'm glad to hear that you have found a new primary care doctor who

is may be willing to help you aggressively treat your pain again.

I've never tried Duragesic myself, but I have read a lot about them

not sticking very well. I guess you can get some sort of adhesive

cover from the company, should you decide to stick with it. Also,

make sure your skin is free of lotions, even from a body wash, and

the natural oil in your skin. I use Lidoderm patches, and have

found that they stick better if I wash the area with regular soap

and water, then clean it with alcohol. Talk to your doctor about

the skin irritation though, especially if it's really bothersome or

damages your skin. Perhaps you can convince this doctor to put you

back on Oxycontin, and maybe the Oxy IR.

You know, I've kind of found out myself that my PCP is more willing

to use opioids for pain control than my PM. My PM doctor has done

injections, however, I originally asked to be sent to him for that

reason. However, despite what my PCP expected, he hasn't been at

all receptive to taking over my medication needs. And LOL, he did

say that he wanted me to do some PT to strengthen my back when and

if the injections help. I kind of want to do that though...I know

my back is weak. As it is, I do PT back stretches I learned from

when my PCP sent me.

I like my pain doctor though...he seems authentically interested in

helping me get my life back. I have an elevated C-reactive protein

level, and while my PCP considered it " high normal " , he considers it

very high. He doesn't know what is causing it, but is convinced

that I have an auto-immune disease " brewing just below the level of

detection " and that someday, it's just going to burst up to the

surface.

That really sucks that you don't have health insurance (doesn't your

husband's job offer it?), but I'm glad you found the prescription

discount program, and that it's helping to defray the costs of your

meds. Goodness knows they can be expensive! I take so many meds,

some of which are very expensive, and I don't know what I would do

if I didn't have good insurance! Probably not be taking a few of

them I imagine! Up until a few months ago, I was taking Topamax,

which was close to $600 a month itself, plus all of my other meds,

some that are over $100 each! That one medication can cost almost

$600 is just ridiculous...the pharma companies need to start being

realistic.

While I'm sorry that pain had to bring you here, I'm glad you have

joined us. I hope you enjoy the group, as the people here are

really caring and helpful.

All my best,

Jen