Re: Digest Number 1326

[Guest guest]

I have an extraordinary doctor, who's an internist, and is working

with the chief pharmacist and pain clinic, to see if they can relieve my

pain. The pharmacist called a couple days ago, to see if there's any relief

with the addition of Depakote, though I'm only halfway to the correct dose.

He gave me his phone number, and said he'd call me in a couple weeks, when

the dose is up. He said the aim right now, is to get the pain bearable, and

would probably not totally take it away. This, I understand. Now this is an

HMO! Now, I'm on 6 Darvocet a day, 1800 mg. of Neurontin, and 2 Depakote. I

take Cimetidine, to protect my stomach.

I've lost 12 pounds, on the way to 80, and I think if I can get the

weight off, that will take a lot of the pressure off my back. Now, I get

nerve pain down one leg, that's like a bolt of lightning, especially when I

go to stand up, or when I hang my legs when I get out of my van. I'm lucky

enough to have a Toyota van, which has a GREAT lumbar support. The only

chair in the house that is the least comfortable, is my computer chair, but

on the vinyl of the family room, it would take off for the hinterlands! When

I sit in my recliner, I put a pillow behind my back, as the seat is a bit to

deep for comfort. When it gets too bad, which is frequently, I lie on the

bed and pull up my knees. The dogs love me to do this, because they love

lolling in bed!

I did much of my Christmas shopping online, and from catalogs, and a

lot of the rest at places that have electric carts, like Home Depot and Sam's

Club, and I started shopping WAY early. I do most food shopping at

Albertsons, because they have the carts, too.

I have a settlement (I think) medical appointment with the workers

comp doctor, Jan. 9-please think good thoughts. I can't clean house, except

for rudimentary stuff--it takes a couple days to empty the dishwasher--and

have a once a month gardener. I'm hoping the insurance settlement will allow

me to get more help at home for these things. I live with a roommate with

Fibromyalgia and Rheumatoid Arthritis, so it's the blind leading the blind.

Happy New Year.

Carol-CA

[Guest guest]

Bravo ,

Don't allow yourself to be influenced by outside info. If you Dr is against

it and you are doing well why in the world would you want to change a good

thing. I too have some of my life back as a result of taking approved doses

regularly. Please folks do not experiment with your health.

Terrym

[Guest guest]

Dear Missy,

How wrong you are chronic pain can be controlled but, it must be done with a

plan and then stick to it. I hope your comments are due to a downer you are

going through. Hang in there, we will pray for you to get in control very

soon

Terrym

[Guest guest]

Bravo Ray This mis information only contributes to the pain stress. I take

Meslon and percodan talk about that being the topic of conversation, even my

own family gets on my case. I rried to make them happy and stopped, some

time ago, but ended up an invalid looking for a way OUT. Now I have control

of my life and tho I am not completely in control I do have a semblance of a

life heretofor denied.Most of these statements come from one sided tunnel

vision persons with good intentions but thinking only in terms of drug

abusers. Abusers being the operative word. Please folks learn, read and

analyse don't believe all you read. Trust your doctor and your fellow

sufferers. Experience is still the best teacher.

Happy New Year all

Terrym

[Guest guest]

,

You do have a choice Didn't anyone here ever hear of the Patient Bill of

Rights???

[Guest guest]

I can't understand why anyone would want to discontinue pain meds I have

tried for 10 years to get help for my pain this new doctor I have

finally gave me a Rx for vicoden but it was only for 100 pills total so

I try to only take 1/2 pill a day to make them last I have gotten so

desperate for relief from my pain I have even tried to find a place

overseas to get pain meds. I did find a place in mexico to get soma

which I bought and it has helped the muscle spasms in my back. It is

ashame when you really need help and can't get it. I am wondering if

mabe I should ask for a referal to a pain clinic or something. I have no

quality of life anymore. I work 1-2 hours in the morning and come home

feed my animals and that is all I am able to do until the next day. The

rest of the day I sit here in pain. Some days I wish I would just die

and be done with it because the pain is so bad, I can't even get a good

nights sleep due to pain waking me up I have fibromyaliga,

osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ospeoperosis, hepatitis C and the

hepatitis B antibiody ( guess I also had that but my body cleared the

virus) so I have pain all the time. With having hepatitis C I can't take

alot of medications but I sure wish I could get something for the pain

that would take it away so I could at least have some quality of life

again. I am only 48 and all I can do is just sit in this chair all day.

Pamm

[Guest guest]

At 07:50 AM 12/28/01 -0400, Terry wrote:

>Bravo ,

>Don't allow yourself to be influenced by outside info.

Hi Terry,

I think the post you're referring to was my reply to Dhani, who wanted to

get off pain meds, against medical advice. I'm on OxyContin and OxyIR. I

wouldn't be able to function without them.

In several private posts and in posts to another group I've railed against

the one-sided coverage the media does, with the OxyContin issue being

especially " near and dear, " but with other issues as well. I spent a very

large portion of my career in the newspaper industry, going from reporter

to Sunday editor-in-chief. News " coverage, " in too many cases, has gone

from a desire to actually report news to a venue where the reporter, paper,

network, whatever, uses it as a personal forum, a moment in the spotlight

seeking higher ratings or bowing to advertisers. It's so easy to do a

one-sided report -- you can recycle a press release and kid yourself that

you're doing a public service -- or you can put some time and effort into

it and do a fair, balanced story.

At the time I left the industry, we were seeing fewer reporters coming into

journalism with a desire to report than we were seeing them trying to make

a big name in a hurry. I'll get of my soap box now ;-)

Hower

http://home.dejazzd.com/hower

[Guest guest]

At 07:45 AM 12/28/01 -0500, Pamm wrote:

>I am wondering if maybe I should ask for a referal to a pain clinic or

>something. I have no

>quality of life anymore.

Hi Pamm,

You've answered your own question, by saying you have no quality of life

any more and have tried to get meds overseas.

You should definitely ask/demand/beg a referral to a pain clinic. Your

doctor isn't doing you much of a favor by giving you a prescription for the

vicoden, unless he/she is giving you an adequate dose to make a difference

in your level of pain and making sure you have enough, and refills, so you

can take them on a regular schedule. Pain meds are most effective, in

chronic pain patients, if you have an adequate dose and take them regularly

-- before the pain gets bad. If you wait until the pain is very bad and

then take a small dose, it won't do much for you, if anything at all.

I hope you can get to a doctor or clinic where the staff is trained to deal

with chronic pain patients. You'll find that the difference is amazing.

Hower

http://home.dejazzd.com/hower

[Guest guest]

Part of that is not the doctors fault I just started going to him I was

refered to him because I have scleritis in my eye from arthritis I have

so many chronic illiness he could not possibly address all of the

problems in one visit. I am planning on talking to him about a pain

clinic. He seems to really care and I think mabe he may be the doctor I

have been praying for.

I have had all of my medical records sent to his office so hopefully

when I go in January I can either get the pain meds I need or a referal

I have finally had enough of being put off by doctors or them acting

like my pain does not exhist. I really don't think this is living

anymore when all I do is sit on my butt all day I don't expect to be

able to do things like I use to but if I could just get around better I

would be happy. This has been hard for me I have only worked an hour a

day now for around 5 years I use to work 2 jobs and I always loved to

work so it was hard to just stop I will sure be asking for help on my

next office visit. I don't have health insurance right now only medicare

so it makes it hard to buy meds. We will have insurance in Feb but it

has a $1,000.00 deductable...........ouch!!

Pamm

[Guest guest]

My problem is my pain is never in the same place from month to month.

Some times my feet will hurt so bad I can hardly walk. Then somedays it

is my lower back other times it is my neck other times my hips and knees

it is so hard to get help when the pain moves all over the place. I have

a high tolarence to pain but it wears me down after awhile. I have been

in pain 24 hours a day for almost 7 years and it has finally just became

more then I can stand I sure hope I will be able to get some help for it

soon.

Pamm

[Guest guest]

At 11:18 AM 12/28/01 -0500, Pamm wrote:

>I am planning on talking to him about a pain

>clinic. He seems to really care and I think mabe he may be the doctor I

>have been praying for.

That's good. I hope he works out for you. I know how you feel. I worked two

jobs for years and then at the newspaper worked 12 hour shifts each weekend

and many long/split shifts during the week. Now I'm on disability and feel

like I've really accomplished something if I get a few things done at home

over the course of a day.

Hower

http://home.dejazzd.com/hower

[Guest guest]

I sure hope I can get help. This doctor spent way more time with me at

the first visit I only went in for my eye and he talked to me at length

about my health problems and even gave me the vicoden when I asked for

it. I told him I normally only take one a day. I don't like taking pills

and would rather only take as little as possible but guess if I want

relief I have to take them more often and at a higher dose. My whole

life revolves around my pets I have 5 dogs 6 cats a rabbit around 30

hamsters fish and 2 frogs it takes the whole day just to feed them all

and keep them clean. I love to work and sure miss it I would do anything

to be able to go back to work full time but I know that is not going to

happen so I just try to make the best of it.

Pamm

[Guest guest]

pculp13 wrote:

I can't understand why anyone would want to discontinue pain meds

Pamm

I don't know what kind of insurance you have--if any, but if you do not have an

HMO-then run, don't walk, to the nearest pain clinic. I don't have an HMO and

can go anywhere I want without a referal. I don't know how you can exist on 1/2

Vicodin a day. Was your prescription for a month or a one time shot? You need

to get relief and if your dr can't give it to you, you need to find one who

will. My dr is a little stingy. He'll only give me three a day--but for now it

does the trick. He belongs to the school of thought that you will become

addicted and that is sad. When you suffer chronic pain you cannot become

" addicted " . You become relieved. I hope you can settle your dilemna soon.

Keep posting.

Peggy

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.......

---------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I don't have any insurance I am on medicare at the moment we will have

insurance in Feb but then will have a $1,000.00 deductable.

I have a high tolerance to pain so guess that is why I can get buy on

1/2 a vicoden a day I don't like to take pills but when the pain is

awful I will take something. I guess as I get worse the pain seems to be

worse to.

The doctor who gave me the vicoden is the first doctor who would even

give me anything for pain I don't think he is stingy I did not go to him

for pain I went to him for scleritis of my eye and asked him for

something for pain he spent more time with me then he should have asking

me about my health problems it was my first time there. They have sent

for my medical records and I go back to him in 3 weeks then I will ask

about a pain clinic. I have tried for over 10 years for help one doctor

had the nerve to tell me to go get a job then I would not have time to

dwell on my medical problems. In the last 2 years I have been to 6 or 7

doctors and some of them were over $300.00 for the first office call I

can't afford to jump from doctor to doctor we don't have that kind of

money we are in debt now because of my medical bills and I still am

without pain relief so that is why I can't go looking for a doctor who

will help me it is just to expensive to go from one doctor to another

getting no help all I managed to do is end up oweing thousands of

dollars in medical bills.

Pamm

[Guest guest]

Pam,

may i ask your illness?

ygto remember the web page for free meds. i came up

with this:

http://www.medicineforfree.com/

only need $10 for the brochure to join.

http://www.themedicineprogram.com/

i believe this is one that you cannot have

prescription insurance.

seems like the current doctor is able to be of help.

as for medical bills, pay what you can. make sure you

have food and monies for living expenses. those

medical professions cannot do anything to you as long

as you send something each month. it may take many

years since you mentioned you owe thousands of

dollars, but small payments at least will prevent you

from putting out interest.

see if there is a community program that offers a bag

of groceries for late payment on the utilities.

if you cannot afford aqua therapy (using a swimming

pool to do light aerobics), then see if you can put

out $20 for a small trampoline. i use this to do

light aerobics and it takes the pressure off the spine

since you are using a flexible surface. the floors,

event carpeted ones, seem to me to have more pressure.

check the insurance plan that you will have to see if

there is a clause about preexisting illnesses. some

companies will not pay benefits at all or there is a

delayed period before coverage begins.

if you are 50, you may qualify for AARP and they have

a reasonable medical plan.

solibene

--- pculp13 wrote:

> I don't have any insurance I am on medicare at the

> moment we will have

> insurance in Feb but then will have a $1,000.00

> deductable.

> I have a high tolerance to pain so guess that is why

> I can get buy on

> 1/2 a vicoden a day I don't like to take pills but

> when the pain is

> awful I will take something. I guess as I get worse

> the pain seems to be

> worse to.

> The doctor who gave me the vicoden is the first

> doctor who would even

> give me anything for pain I don't think he is stingy

> I did not go to him

> for pain I went to him for scleritis of my eye and

> asked him for

> something for pain he spent more time with me then

> he should have asking

> me about my health problems it was my first time

> there. They have sent

> for my medical records and I go back to him in 3

> weeks then I will ask

> about a pain clinic. I have tried for over 10 years

> for help one doctor

> had the nerve to tell me to go get a job then I

> would not have time to

> dwell on my medical problems. In the last 2 years I

> have been to 6 or 7

> doctors and some of them were over $300.00 for the

> first office call I

> can't afford to jump from doctor to doctor we don't

> have that kind of

> money we are in debt now because of my medical bills

> and I still am

> without pain relief so that is why I can't go

> looking for a doctor who

> will help me it is just to expensive to go from one

> doctor to another

> getting no help all I managed to do is end up oweing

> thousands of

> dollars in medical bills.

> Pamm

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyaliga, chronic

hepatitis C and I have the hepatitis B antibiody as I had that to,

osteoperosis, I also suffer from anxiety, migrain headachs.I am sure I

have other things wrong. I did have the beginning of cervical cancer but

had a hysterectomy.

We do not qualify for free medication as my husband makes to much and

there are only the two of us no kids at home. Unfortunatly we have to

wait until Feb for his insurance then he will have a perscription card

so at least we can get our medications again.

Pamm

[Guest guest]

Terrym,

I'm glad you have overcome the bad press on chronic pain relief you

received from your family. The truth is that your medical

condition and the medications you take are really between you and

your doctor. If you were a cancer patient your family would want

you to take the treatments and the medications if they offered a

hope of recovery and health. Why should taking pain medications be

any different when they offer us the hope of living a more normal,

and happier life?

Ray