Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 I am so sorry to read this! Are there any doctors in your area who specialize in pain management? Or a university hospital you could go to? I had much better results with either of these than with a neuro- or ortho- doctor. Your regular doctor may not really know how to treat chronic pain. A surprising number of them don't, and our society is still behind in understanding the effects of constant pain. Or, maybe you can talk to your pharmacist, asking them to suggest a more suitable doctor. I had DDD which was greatly exacerbated by a car accident like yours. I was sent to the usual neorologist, and orthopedic surgeon, but neither really knew what to do about pain that cannot be decreased with therapy or surgery. They don't tell they don't know how to help you. They either keep trying the same things over and over hoping for a different result this time or they get cranky with you because you haven't responded to their " care " . When I suggested they send me to a pain management specialist, they were relieved to hand the problem over to someone else. No one likes to keep looking at a problem they cannot fix! Of course, asking nicely is helpful, LOL! Once I saw the pain management doctor, and got the appropriate meds, my life really became worth living again. I am sending you my wishes for more satisfactory care, Elise Mimi wrote: I was in a car accident, namely hit by a car, a speeding car going 60. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Mimi, The only way to know if you are an addict is if you take a lof of the drug to get high or if you take it ONLY to releive the pain you feel and don't get high off of it. No one knows how much pain you are in except YOU so those other opinions don't matter. I think most people in this group have had Dr.s who did not believe they were as bad off as they were saying or had a hard time getting adequate pain meds. Do you have any pain specialist around that can assess and treat your pain? That is the only thing I can think of. Buying pills from others could land you in jail, so I don't think that is a wise move and can't bre cheap. If " finding creative ways to get it " consist of faking an accident or injury, then you are just making it even harder for those that DO need the meds(including yourself). Of course, this is only my opinion. Take care and good luck, Caitlin __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Mimi, I don't know if you're an addict or not, but I do know that you're breaking the law and putting yourself in peril from swallowing the wrong drugs or drugs that you might be allergic to or have an adverse reaction to. Plus, if you're taking different drugs in combination, that could be lethal. You're looking for trouble in so many different ways, and my best advice to you is quite simple: STOP!! If you find yourself taking these street drugs (and even if they're allegedly prescription medication, if they're not prescribed for you, then they're no better than crack or heroin) to get high, then maybe you are an addict. Like just about everyone else in this group who is in pain management, I never get a high or a buzz from my medications, and I'm on some pretty heavy-duty stuff. But then, I follow the dosage instructions faithfully. I don't crush any tablets, or open up extended-release capsules in order to get more of the drug into my system than prescribed. I don't take six pills at a time. Do you? I think that you need to talk to your pcp and tell him/her that you need a referral to a pain-management specialist. And if you think you need it, get a referral to a substance-abuse program. Self-medicating is NOT the way to go. You're looking for trouble in a major way. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Mimi wrote: > Its so bad I usually buy pain meds from others or find creative ways > to get it. I feel like crap for doing that. Mimi, I echo what a wrote. Stop!! Firstly -- you are breaking the law big time. That not only hurts you, but it hurts the rest of us too. It makes it more difficult for all pain patients. Get yourself to a different doctor. Preferably one who specializes in the treatment of pain. When you do go to the appropriate physician, do not lie or otherwise try to con the doctor in any way, shape, or form. Be totally honest and up front about how you are feeling, not only physically, but also emotionally. If you are anything less than completely truthful, you will end up with a whole lot more trouble than you already have. You won't get the appropriate help for any of your problems if you lie. > On top of it all most people i know keep telling me to get over it, > or move on, or the pain cant be that bad. Am I just nuts? Does > anyone else have this problem? am I an addict or what? please > give advice! Mimi, only you can know if you are truly an addict. Buying drugs from others, stealing drugs, or whatever you are doing " creatively " is normally classed as addictive behaviour. There's a small chance, it may not be. It could be inadequately treated pain, panic behaviour. However, very few inadequately treated pain sufferers resort to buying drugs illegally or to stealing them. Pain patients normally seek out a different doctor. They do not resort to illegal means to obtain medications. It could very well be that you've passed from the need for basic pain relief, to the acquired " need " for emotional relief. You're the only one who can look deep inside yourself and find the truthful answer to that question. Regardless of which scenario is accurate, your methods of obtaining medications are not normal behaviour. If you get anything other than straight pain relief from the drugs you take, then you've got a problem. If you get feelings of emotional relief, pleasure, including physical or emotional relaxation, or if you get a plain old buzz, then you're in trouble. If you're mixing meds, taking incorrect dosages, using alcohol with the drugs for more " relief, " crushing pills, or stripping the gel out of pain patches, then you're in trouble. Here's a link to a Drug Abuse Screening Test. These tests require very honest answers and are quite useful in assessing where you are " really " at with your drug usage: http://tinyurl.com/y6v4wa Obtaining drugs " creatively " means you're already in very, very serious trouble. Please get help before you end up on the street, in jail, or dead. -- Lyndi (with my professional hat on) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 Caitlin 's right finding " creative ways " or buying street PKs won't help you in the long run. If anything the " creative ways " of getting Pks will only leave a paper trail of you " seeking " drugs and in the long run work against you. Isn't there one doctor that believes you? If there is, have him at least refer you to a pain management dr. Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 This probably won't help, except to say I am sympathetic. One thing I did wrong is every time I had a little accident I would get hurt, dust myself off and move on. I never went to a dr or an ER to get x-rayed or anything. Even though I had broken fingers, toes & ribs. " They can't do anything about it " I would say. I've fallen at least 6 times in the past 5 years walking my dogs. they are really huge and they've dragged me down on the ground because like an idiot, I didn't let go of the leashes when they ran after something. Another time I fell at work and hit my face on a baseboard. And two other times I got into fender-benders (twice in 3 months cars rear- ended me while I was parked & sitting in my car!). I went and got the car fixed immediately, but didn't check myself out!! I am SURE that all of these incidents and accidents (sorry Simon!) flared up my pain even worse, but I refused to go to a doctor " when it happened " . Now, I am paying the price because they can't find anything wrong with me. I've never asked for pain meds because I'm so sensitive to drugs, I tend to get all of the " rare " side-effects from everything that I take, so I end up taking OTC stuff, and way too much of it! I know I probably wasn't helpful, but at least I can say I understand how you feel. K2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 If you get anything other than straight pain relief from the drugs you take, then you've got a problem. If you get feelings of emotional relief, pleasure, including physical or emotional relaxation, or if you get a plain old buzz, then you're in trouble. I have a question about this. There are times when I take my vicodin for severe pain, and I don't get complete pain relief but I do get a buzz from it. If what you are saying is true, how is this possible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2007 Report Share Posted January 4, 2007 Lyndi wrote: > " If you get anything other than straight pain relief from the drugs you > take, then you've got a problem. If you get feelings of emotional > relief, pleasure, including physical or emotional relaxation, or if > you get a plain old buzz, then you're in trouble. " > --------- > > I have a question about this. There are times when I take my vicodin for severe pain, and I don't get complete pain relief but I do get a buzz from it. If what you are saying is true, how is this possible? The comment you quoted was in reference to " why " the illegally obtained drugs were being taken in the first place. If you are not a " drug seeker, " it is not applicable. However, a buzz is a side effect that is wanted by most people who are coping with chronic pain. It can make it dangerous to do a lot of day to day things. Perhaps taking a different medication would get rid of that detrimental side effect for you. -- Lyndi still in professional mode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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