A few more questions

[Guest guest]

Hello All. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

I'm struggling again with pain treatment options. I met with my gyn again today

to discuss a

switch from darvocet to methadone for my pelvic congestion pain and I just can't

do it. I don't

know why I'm having such a mental block about the methadone, it seems like a

very old safe

drug for long term use. We finally agreed that for now she prescribed Darvon so

i can try the

darvocet without all the acetaminophen.

My doc thinks my hesitation is my own inability to accept the long term aspect

of the chronic

pelvic pain (she meant it nicely, she's a really great lady) and I wanted to ask

you a few

questions:

* Did anything in particular help you accept your chronic pain? (therapy,

supportive

significant other, talking about it etc...)

* Have any of you had to use antidepressants as a result of chronic pain?

* have any of you used Methadone? if so, was it a red flag to your insurance?

Many thanks in advance

[Guest guest]

Snipped : " starr "

> * Did anything in particular help you accept your chronic pain? (therapy,

supportive significant other, talking about it etc...)

> * Have any of you had to use antidepressants as a result of chronic pain?

Starr,

1st question:

I have a great family support team. My whole family, cousins, Aunts, Uncles are

all in the medical field. We have retired, nurses, psycholigist, and a cousin

who is a medical office manager and a Uncle who is a pharmacist, and a

Emergency room Nurse.

This is just on my Mothers side of the family.

When I was first diagnosed I called everyone and ask them what questions I need

to ask the doctor. and it really helped to be able to open up with all my fears

and know that they will tell me the truth. And even the ones that are retired

keep up to date on procedures and the new drugs.

Plus my husband is wonderful. He is very supportive, which helps a lot. I know

that I can stay in bed for days on end and he will not say a word.

He will clean house, pick up breakfast, lunch and dinner. And He lets me vent

when my sister and mother who never believed me when I talked about the pain

and how sick I am.

They can out sick me. My sister cracked a bone in her foot and had the nerve to

call me and ask me to push her around in a wheel chair, because it was too

painful for her to walk on her foot. this was after the doctor told her to get

out of dad's wheelchair and walk. And mom tells me I have no idea what pain is

because she hurts much worse than me.

So as you can tell I take what they say and do with a grain of salt and go to

the other family members when I need support.

Also I have a great support from my church family and I strongly believe in

prayer and Asking God for help when the pain is at it worse.

snipped: Question 2: Have any of you had to use antidepressants as a result of

chronic pain?

Yes! I have been on a lot of antidepressants over the years (20+) And I take

celexa 40 mgs now. It does help and I can tell when it stops working, I will get

very depressed and cry and go to bed for days. Ralph knows to call my doctor

when this starts and tell him the drugs are not working.

snipped: Question 3: Have I ever taken methadone for pain?

Yes! and It worked great for a long time. and if your tight on money it is a

cheap drug. Then like most pain meds. It stopped working and I had to go on to

something else.

The only problem I ever had with it was when I went for arthoscopic on my left

knee the doctor's Asst. came in and ask me if I really wanted him to write me a

script for vicodin.

Ralph and I looked at him and said yes! He then ask again in a whisper so that

Ralph could not hear him was I not afraid that it would set me back? I was

having a bad lupus fog day and Said What? Why would it set me back. he said well

your on a low dose of methadone.

Me being very slow said So? Then it clicked he thought that I was in a drug

treatment program. lol

So I had to explain to him that I was taking the methadone for Pain. I still

think he thought yea right! I laughed so hard afterward while tell them family

about it.

Hope this helps.

Carol

neal3884@...

[Guest guest]

Carol,

That is so funny about the doc worried to 'set you back' I'm glad you were able

to set him straight. hehe Cheap is also a plus. I just don't know why I can't go

for it. I'll see if the darvon does anything first.

It's just odd to me to hit this wall and not be able to make a

decision about my own health. Did insurance/pharmacist raise any eyebrows at you

filling a script of methadone?

My parents know about the diagnosis and are supportive to a point, but if they

knew I was considering methadone my mother would have a fit. I don't think she

fully understands the amount of pain I deal with daily.

She also has her migraines and such and has amazing strength to just keep

going...but I'm not her and can't really do that.

Official low here was -15 last night. I'm sure you're all glad you're not in

Montana. ;o)

[Guest guest]

What made me accept my chronic pain was just reality. I knew it would be for

life so I had to accept that fact. The best thing I do is look for the good

things in life and I dont dwell on the pain. I have been told my stuborness is

why I deal with the pain the way I do. On my good days I do whatever I want

Knowing I'll pay later but at least I have a reason to be hurting this way.

I have taken anti-depressants but not for depression. Some of those meds help

other things like sleep and cramps. There are times I get down bout the chronic

pain but I wont let myself stay down long.

Terry