Quote:
Originally Posted by Always_Believe
LL~
I definitely recognize the difference in addiction and dependence. I suffer from neither. Never have-even in the height of when I was on some serious meds. At this time, I don't have that option. Coming from the 'provider' side of things, I hear it discussed all too often and I don't want to be one they are talking about. Hence, the reason I am not asking for anything...and I suppose, ergo the reason my rehab most likely won't progress.
See my last reply regarding acceptance and acknowledgement. Although I am not certain that I cannot come to a place where both fit into this little struggle of mine. I'm also not certain I can, so I will stick with acknowledgement for now. I have only recently begun the whole responsibility for someone else's emotion is theirs not mine, so I needed that reminder.
My expectations have remained the same - help move boxes/furniture so I can maneuver/go through them and help get some (a lot) of items ready to sell. The conundrum of "independence" and "consideration" have been a subject of conversation, in that I have attempted to squash the notion that notifying me that you will be out for several hours isn't 'answering to me', it's allowing me to adjust my location to enable me to reduce my walking if something comes up (dogs need to go out, someone at the door, a meal, etc.). Would it be nice to be offered food when my pain level is such that I only venture to the bathroom twice in 15 hours? Yes. But I have learned to address that better and not place that onto someone else as much as myself for not mentioning it in the first place.
Ahhh...the dreaded RN exam. The program I am in requires a 3 day final exam. It consists of writing the care plan and performing the care for 5 patients, as well as demonstration of skills in a lab. The requirements to take the final exam are completion of necessary/required coursework, the ability to provide patient care, including positioning, transferring and mobility. That's where I don't meet the ability. Accommodations are made for the mobility challenged by: reducing the number of patients to 3; ensuring patients are located close together; allowing extra time and extra rest periods. While the accommodations would suffice - I cannot meet the provisions to providing patient care. Neither could someone in a wheelchair. Perhaps extra accommodations would be allowed after speaking with administration, but I seriously doubt it and either way, my PCP won't complete the paperwork until/unless I can meet the primary requirement.
I see the difficulty with SSDI and obtaining my RN, and I would much rather have my RN and drop my SSDI claim. The difficulty comes in when I am unable to attain either. At this point, PT thinks there may also be an issue with my hip and is insisting I use a walker at all times. That effectively removes me from the ability to take my final exam, leaving me to focus on my rehab and let my lawyer work on my SSDI claim.
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Dependence on opiates is not something to be ashamed of, it a biological reality for many of us.
Have things changed over the years? Absolutely. Too many people were inappropriately prescribed strong opiates that should not have been. Now, there is a backlash, that has tightened the rules.
I refused stronger meds for something like 4 years, so I'm by no means suggesting someone newly diagnosed should consider opiates as an early option. But, if your doctors can't find a combo that gives you some relief, than it might be an option later on. If you're with an experienced RSD/CRPS doctor that you develop a trusting relationship with, they should offer you the right meds, you shouldn't have to ask for them.
Do I care what some random stranger's passing opinion is about the meds I take? Nope.
How many of them have a clue what living with RSD/CRPS is like? My guess is less than 1% of health care providers.
If you truly feel you can't fully participate in rehab with the meds you're being prescribed, than you need to request to change the rehab or change the meds. The rehab that was by far the easiest was in a warm pool, as others have suggested. I underwent a series of stellate ganglion blocks early on that would give me significant relief for 1-3 weeks and would allow me to participate in rehab more fully. Etc.