[gatorhead]

I am new to the forum, could have probably posted in several sections. I have been reading through quite a few posts. I am not as bad off as some and worse off than other's. I keep my chin up and take it one day at a time.

Not too many people that I can talk to among my family and friends. They simply have no clue as to what I go through. I used to update what the doctors said and/or found on FB to keep everyone in touch but I suppose that was impeding.

I am a 37 yo male. I was involved in a high speed collision with a school bus 6 years ago. I hit the bus in a t-bone type collision with a slight angle to the driver's side. It was the bus driver's fault, a 19 year old first day driving, in the rain and she ran a stop sign and came into the highway right before me. I had no chance. I lived. and I am very grateful for that. I was given up on the scene by a first responder as he told them to check the bus I wasn't going to make it.

As I am typing this you can tell that I did in fact make it. I had my nose basically cut in half and sheered off my face, an open skull fracture to the area top right of my nose where the a pillar bent inwards and my face made contact.I bruised my left lobe. I had to use my fist to plug the hole in my face and I wear an XXL glove! I busted every disc in my neck, and 3 in my low back. My sternum is now distal, or outwards. I didn't break any ribs but I dislocated all of them and tore all of the ligaments and cartilages throughout. Tore both laborum's and my right rotator cuff. I have so many "smaller" injuries they have basically went unaddressed.

From the start I have had nothing but drama from the doctors! They didn't believe what I was telling them, finally got an MRI of the neck and they wanted to do surgery right away. I had 3mm and 4mm left of cord at C4-5 C5-6. They were both also compressing the nerve roots. The lower MRI was ordered after that (same day) and found herniations L3-4, L4-5 L5-S1. L3-4 was to the left and central stenosis. The L4-5 was bilateral nerve compression and spinal cord stenosis and the L5 was s1 radiculopathy.

I went to work making sandwiches from being a Nuclear Electrician and worked with these conditions to feed my family. I went to Pain Management and she prescribed me 1 Lortab 5/500 per day to be taken at bedtime only! I had to throw a fit and go over her head and was raised to 2 Lortabs a day, one in the morning one at bedtime. I jumped through all of their hoops, did the PT, lost weight as if that caused my condition to begin with and I was in great shape when I got into the accident, and I did the injections. No relief. That doctor went on vacation and I had an appointment with another doctor who wrote for percocet 3-4 times per day at 5/500, up to two if needed. I NEVER took two, but I was able to function somewhat with that as opposed to the Lortab that provided no relief whatsoever.

She grew upset about the prescription and told me to have the surgery drugs aren't the answer. I scheduled the surgery and had an ACDF C4-6 on 3/18/10. I woke up felt immediately better. Went off the drugs, started back to work at the sandwich shop and then about 3 months later I felt like I was hit by the bus all over again. So back to the doctors and to make a longer story short I went two years with Pseudoarthrosis at C5-6 and an Extreme grade herniation at C6-7 both midline into the cord and so bad into the nerve root it exited the foraminen! C6-7 was torn and herniated PRIOR to having the ACDF at C4-5, C5-6.

For two long and excruciating years I begged someone to see me or treat me. That pain center included all of the area pain management specialist surgeons etc and since the surgeon said it was all good I didnt get seen or treated and was treated like a dope fiend everywhere I turned for help. I found a doctor who looked into everything I told him and examined me physically that found the Pseudoarthrosis and the problem at C6-7. He got me into a surgeon and on 5/03/12 I had a second ACDF at C6-7 and a redo at C5-6 and it was all strapped together with titanium locking plates.

I had discussed with the surgeon the amount of time that nerve had been entrapped and the possible effects of that and never expected it to fully recover, and so far it hasn't. I have the same pain as I did prior to surgery into the same areas. The only difference being that I can't feel 3 of my 4 fingers on my right hand. Range of motion in the neck is minimal, can't lift right arm above shoulder height.

So PCP ordered new MRI's and still have C2-3 C3-4 herniated but not causing issues, C4-5 IS ROCK SOLID, C5-6 C6-7 is not mature yet and there is residual swelling around the plate. However all of the foraminen are narrowed significantly due to bone spurring and facet and uncovertebral spurring and hypertrophy. I go in for EMG on 11/07/12. He had also ordered new MRI of the lumbar and the surgeon called before I was able to leave the parking lot!

So why am I frustrated....I live in Florida. The new laws regarding prescriptions has left me without. My Surgeon could only write until he released me. My PCP is NOT allowed to write for them under the law. The neurologist I was just referred to doesn't believe in them and has me on neurontin and Lidoderm patches that haven't done anything whatsoever. The pain management center they had me scheduled for was only doing injections and I reluctantly made an appointment with them but cancelled as they are front and center in this bad injection case, they have had 3 die from there! So this law made me have to wait for a NEW pain management doctor for 6 weeks. I have 4 weeks left to go.

I am aggravated that the ones that don't need the prescriptions are still getting them! Yet those that truly need them can't! I have to sit up in agony until I pass out, then I will only get an hour or two worth of sleep and be back up in pain. I just don't get it. I have never had a problem with any tox screens, I have clear and concise etiology yet I have to suffer. I am not sure how much longer I want to suffer for. Whether someone reads this or not is fine. I just wanted to get it off my chest and not be condemned for it.

[Koala77]

Hello gatorhead and welcome to NeuroTalk.

I am sorry for the trauma that brought you to us and although I don't have any words of wisdom for you, I wonder if you might get more replies if you also copied your post over to the Traumatic Brain Injury Forum (TBI), which is far more active than this one.

Here's the link : http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum92.html

Welcome again. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

[Leesa]

The only thing I can offer is the new law in Florida is ridiculous. The addicts are still getting THEIR drugs, while the pain patients cannot get them legally if their life depended oni it. The legislators are idiots -- if they ever had pain for a weekk or so, they'd certainly turn those laws around! They don't have A clue as to what they have done!!!

It would be something if a bunch of pain patients could storm the State Capital, and DEMAND the law be voided!! It isn't helping anyone!

[gatorhead]

Originally Posted by Leesa

The only thing I can offer is the new law in Florida is ridiculous. The addicts are still getting THEIR drugs, while the pain patients cannot get them legally if their life depended oni it. The legislators are idiots -- if they ever had pain for a weekk or so, they'd certainly turn those laws around! They don't have A clue as to what they have done!!!

It would be something if a bunch of pain patients could storm the State Capital, and DEMAND the law be voided!! It isn't helping anyone!

YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD AN COUNTERSUNK IT!!!!

I have done the injection's and that is what they are basically all going to now. They just don't work for me. I get 2-3 days of relief then that is accompanied with severe nausea and heartburn. They charge the insurance company anywhere from $1500-$1800 for the procedure. Plus they get the office visit. They also don't have to deal with the State or the DEA breathing down their neck about the narcotic pain medication. Whereas they have to deal with that and can only charge for the office visit for writing a script. There is more money the other way and less hassle and I am afraid it is here to stay.
The alternative that I know about is to go to a pill mill, ironically they are still up and running stronger than ever. The problem with that is I don't sell my meds, I use them and the cost's to go to one are far outside my budget. Insurance will not pay for them and they are cash only. Even if I could scrape enough together there is no way I could endure the ride to one. Closest is 2 hrs away.

The "epidemic" is ridiculous. My doctor that treats me monthly for years is not allowed to prescribe for me. They said the problem was that people from Kentucky were coming down going from doctor to doctor then taking the pills by the thousands back up there. Uh a checking for a Florida residence would have stopped that. They also have a data base now that is statewide computer linked so you can only fill x amount at one time and then it flags you.
Thanks for listening!

[mg neck prob]

Originally Posted by gatorhead

I am new to the forum, could have probably posted in several sections. I have been reading through quite a few posts. I am not as bad off as some and worse off than other's. I keep my chin up and take it one day at a time.

Not too many people that I can talk to among my family and friends. They simply have no clue as to what I go through. I used to update what the doctors said and/or found on FB to keep everyone in touch but I suppose that was impeding.

I am a 37 yo male. I was involved in a high speed collision with a school bus 6 years ago. I hit the bus in a t-bone type collision with a slight angle to the driver's side. It was the bus driver's fault, a 19 year old first day driving, in the rain and she ran a stop sign and came into the highway right before me. I had no chance. I lived. and I am very grateful for that. I was given up on the scene by a first responder as he told them to check the bus I wasn't going to make it.

As I am typing this you can tell that I did in fact make it. I had my nose basically cut in half and sheered off my face, an open skull fracture to the area top right of my nose where the a pillar bent inwards and my face made contact.I bruised my left lobe. I had to use my fist to plug the hole in my face and I wear an XXL glove! I busted every disc in my neck, and 3 in my low back. My sternum is now distal, or outwards. I didn't break any ribs but I dislocated all of them and tore all of the ligaments and cartilages throughout. Tore both laborum's and my right rotator cuff. I have so many "smaller" injuries they have basically went unaddressed.

From the start I have had nothing but drama from the doctors! They didn't believe what I was telling them, finally got an MRI of the neck and they wanted to do surgery right away. I had 3mm and 4mm left of cord at C4-5 C5-6. They were both also compressing the nerve roots. The lower MRI was ordered after that (same day) and found herniations L3-4, L4-5 L5-S1. L3-4 was to the left and central stenosis. The L4-5 was bilateral nerve compression and spinal cord stenosis and the L5 was s1 radiculopathy.

I went to work making sandwiches from being a Nuclear Electrician and worked with these conditions to feed my family. I went to Pain Management and she prescribed me 1 Lortab 5/500 per day to be taken at bedtime only! I had to throw a fit and go over her head and was raised to 2 Lortabs a day, one in the morning one at bedtime. I jumped through all of their hoops, did the PT, lost weight as if that caused my condition to begin with and I was in great shape when I got into the accident, and I did the injections. No relief. That doctor went on vacation and I had an appointment with another doctor who wrote for percocet 3-4 times per day at 5/500, up to two if needed. I NEVER took two, but I was able to function somewhat with that as opposed to the Lortab that provided no relief whatsoever.

She grew upset about the prescription and told me to have the surgery drugs aren't the answer. I scheduled the surgery and had an ACDF C4-6 on 3/18/10. I woke up felt immediately better. Went off the drugs, started back to work at the sandwich shop and then about 3 months later I felt like I was hit by the bus all over again. So back to the doctors and to make a longer story short I went two years with Pseudoarthrosis at C5-6 and an Extreme grade herniation at C6-7 both midline into the cord and so bad into the nerve root it exited the foraminen! C6-7 was torn and herniated PRIOR to having the ACDF at C4-5, C5-6.

For two long and excruciating years I begged someone to see me or treat me. That pain center included all of the area pain management specialist surgeons etc and since the surgeon said it was all good I didnt get seen or treated and was treated like a dope fiend everywhere I turned for help. I found a doctor who looked into everything I told him and examined me physically that found the Pseudoarthrosis and the problem at C6-7. He got me into a surgeon and on 5/03/12 I had a second ACDF at C6-7 and a redo at C5-6 and it was all strapped together with titanium locking plates.

I had discussed with the surgeon the amount of time that nerve had been entrapped and the possible effects of that and never expected it to fully recover, and so far it hasn't. I have the same pain as I did prior to surgery into the same areas. The only difference being that I can't feel 3 of my 4 fingers on my right hand. Range of motion in the neck is minimal, can't lift right arm above shoulder height.

So PCP ordered new MRI's and still have C2-3 C3-4 herniated but not causing issues, C4-5 IS ROCK SOLID, C5-6 C6-7 is not mature yet and there is residual swelling around the plate. However all of the foraminen are narrowed significantly due to bone spurring and facet and uncovertebral spurring and hypertrophy. I go in for EMG on 11/07/12. He had also ordered new MRI of the lumbar and the surgeon called before I was able to leave the parking lot!

So why am I frustrated....I live in Florida. The new laws regarding prescriptions has left me without. My Surgeon could only write until he released me. My PCP is NOT allowed to write for them under the law. The neurologist I was just referred to doesn't believe in them and has me on neurontin and Lidoderm patches that haven't done anything whatsoever. The pain management center they had me scheduled for was only doing injections and I reluctantly made an appointment with them but cancelled as they are front and center in this bad injection case, they have had 3 die from there! So this law made me have to wait for a NEW pain management doctor for 6 weeks. I have 4 weeks left to go.

I am aggravated that the ones that don't need the prescriptions are still getting them! Yet those that truly need them can't! I have to sit up in agony until I pass out, then I will only get an hour or two worth of sleep and be back up in pain. I just don't get it. I have never had a problem with any tox screens, I have clear and concise etiology yet I have to suffer. I am not sure how much longer I want to suffer for. Whether someone reads this or not is fine. I just wanted to get it off my chest and not be condemned for it.

Hi Gatorhead,


Everytime a DR or Pharm thinks its to risky to prescribe or sell opiod meds to chronic pain patient suffer. Seems to me the chronic pain patients are collateral damage to the war on drugs. We in live in the USA not a communist country. With your medical history no dr should turn you down for pain relief. They take oath to be advocates for there patients. Patients medical history should be good enough ......I have steam coming out my ears writing this ---as Im just so angry for you and anyone dealing with this in your state. More people in Florida need to appeal this and start class action law suits. Im just very sorry you have to deal with this but I would seek out a patient care advocate in your hospital and ask them to review your medical records stating you need pain meds just to beathe .....treat someone like this in pain is inhuman period. I know the legislation in your state isnt going to be fixed anytime soon:hug. I strongly suggest you be your own advocate and start the ball rolling by making that appointment. Best of luck to you!!!

[ginnie]

Welcome to Neuro Talk. You have been though hell. There will be others here to help support you. I wonder if in your title of Gator head, you are near my location. If you are, I do have some information that may be able to help as far as pain control. The Emg, I can't see a point too, it is obvious what happened to you, and that is just confirming, yes, you have pain basically. I was on morphine for 10 years, and percocet. Fused C3-7. I have not experienced the degree of pain you suffer, and I got help despite my location where abuse is high. The whole country seems to be holding back on really helping those that need it like you do. There was a point for me too where I was not sure I wanted to go forward in life. Please don't give up yet. I do believe help can be found. Let me know your location if you would by Private Post if you can. You should not have to suffer like that. Having constant surgeries is not always the answer. Keep posting until Mark responds, he has an implant after an accident. Has the SCS ever been mentioned for you? Morphine pump? This does allow a large number of people on this site to have pain control. This site has plenty of compassion, and all of us who respond will try to help you. Please know that people do care. When a person experineces such injuries themselves, only then can you understand anothers pain. You have every right to say what you did. I will keep you in my prayers. I do hope to hear from you to see if I can direct you to several people in my area. ginnie

[gatorhead]

Gatorhead= University of Florida's Logo.... *moderator edit* I use it on all of my forums. I am west of Gainesville Florida.

I am sensitive to meds. The highest dose I have ever taken of anything EVER was 15 mg oxycodone orally and that was just before this last surgery. It is what I was breaking in two to last me up until I took the last piece. They shot me with Dilaudid at the hospital and I was sitting upright and I fell over to my side and the nurse petted me like I was a dog, and it still hurt. I am 6'3 240lbs and she said it was the highest dose they could administer, after she gave it to me lol. I normally refuse was goes into the IV until they tell me what it is....bad experience.

I went to see about the neuro stim and the doctor said I wasn't a good candidate for it. He and at least 5 other doctors believe I have a systemic condition on top of my traumatic injuries. RA, Fibro, something along those lines. My RF factor came back high, but as of yet we cannot get a rheumatologist to see me.

Morphine has no effect on me whatsoever....IDK why as I am pretty sensitive to the others. Dilaudid IV worked extremely well, but the oral pills didn't work so great. If I take enough of the Lortab 10+ milligrams it works ok. The oxycodone 5/500 takes a lil edge off to where I can at least ambulate. Now saying all of that I have never moaned or groaned what they have given me. I feel like a begging crackhead every time I go to a doctor. I have come off of them several times with no WD symptoms. I try to tough it out, limit my activity but the BOOM, a cold front or rain etc comes through and thats more than I can take.

Yesterday was just kinda the icing on the cake. I went to the ER with an exacerbation, I am out of meds and after waiting 4 hours to be seen. I get the speech about how this is a chronic issue and it is not a new problem and they can't do anything for me. They told me I needed to see a Pain Management specialist and I explained how I was scheduled and it was for 4 weeks from now. So he asked who my doctor PCP is and then says to call him as soon as I exit the doors and tell him to write for Lortab until I can get to PM, that he was allowed to write for that and he shouldn't let me suffer.My reply to him was, what makes you so different?

[Leesa]

Those injections are ONLY a way for the doctors to earn BIG MONEY. Up here they get anywhere from $1800 to $2500 per EACH INJECTION. So why wouldn't they insist that you get them? And you HAVE to have them if you go thru a pain clinic. Now NO PAIN CLINIC will take me because I've had everything done that they can do to me -- they can't do ANYTHING to me anymore. And they will NOT manage your medications -- so they won't take me.

The only doctor in my area who will prescribe pain medications is my pcp. I've called them all. I've called doctors in 3 surrounding cities. And only ONE will prescribe pain medications!!! They're ALL afraid of the DEA. Can you believe that?? And of course he's busy - I'm lucky if I get 2-3 minutes with him unless I DEMAND that he sit down for a minute or two.

And trying to get an increase is like pulling teeth out of an alligators mouth! I was on methadone for about 5 years (only 10mg) and it didn't work a bit! I was in AGONY. He wouldn't increase it for anything, until I broke down and BEGGED - I was a blubbering idiot. I shouldn't have to do that and humiliate myself like that. He finally changed my meds, and I do have some relief. But good grief - what a trial!

It's getting out if hand for pain patients and something has to be done. Even tho it's legal in Michigan, the doctors are such wusses, that it might as well be illegal. The DEA needs to keep it's nose OUT of Medicine and out of doctors practices. Patients need to be treated!

[ginnie]

Glad you responded to this post. I really think that there is going to be a crisis among pain patients. This whole business with the Gov. intervention is criminal. If my condition worsened, I am not sure what I would do, and thats the truth. There is only so much a person can take. This is sounding like the dark ages. If these docs. do surgery, and then provide no relief if it doesn't work, they are condemning people to a fate worse than not living. It sickens me when I hear of the suffering people are told to put up with. I for one would like to get a petition going for this state, any ideas? ginnie

[mrsalkire]

Gatorhead,

I am sorry for all the running around they are giving you with no relief. Reading this breaks my heart! Its horrible how everyone has to pay the price for all the people who abuse pain meds. Chronic pain is not something we have done on purpose. The medications are necessary for people to have any quality of life sometimes. Yet we are made to feel like we are scum of the earth for needing them. Totally unfair.

I really hope you find the relief and answers you need. There are many people on here with great advice, knowledge and assistance. Hopefully they can help you find answers also!

Kelli