Hi
Skygardener, Welcome back...
Quote:
Originally Posted by skygardener
I was diagnosed with Major Depression and anxiety in 2000 and since then when I have had a surgery I feel like they have not given me enough pain medication. I worry that when people have Depression they will not give you enough pain medication which is a terrible sort of discrimination.
|
We chronic pain patients are subjected to a lot of stigmas; I'm sure you've experienced/figured that out by now. There are many possible reasons for your post-surgical pain being undertreated. They may be concerned about medication interactions between any antidepressants, anxiety (benzodiazepines), or other meds you may be on, and pain medications. Or they may be concerned/fearful of an overdose - either accidental, or intentional during a bout/period of deep Depression. Also, there is a
Pain Crisis going on right now that is having effects on the way doctors and health professionals do their jobs. It's a very complicated situation that often doesn't make sense. If you're interested, google:
politics of pain
Yes, undertreated post-surgical pain is affecting many patients. One thing you can do (that may be mentioned in those
nice little illustrated pamphlets 
) is contact/make use of the hospital's
Patient Advocate. Also get a copy of the hospital's, or California's,
Patient Bill of Rights.
Quote:
|
Since 2003 I have been taking the same medications for pain: Hydrocodone, Piroxicam and SOMA. No one has ever increased the dose, or asked me if I needed more and I have not asked thinking that my continuing degeneration and discussion of pain levels would have prompted an increase or change in pain medication.
|
Unless patients speak up, doctors
assume that everything is fine, including the amount of pain medications they're taking/prescribed. In some cases, patients must initiate discussions lest doctors be construed as "pushing". We have to be our own advocates in this, and most other respects.
Google:
talk doctor pain
Quote:
|
I thought methadone was only for drug addicts. I do not really know what it is or does. I think I will ask about it.
|
By all means, ask your doctor about it, and (in keeping with being your own advocate) look into it yourself. I will mention that, like all medications, methadone has its own side effects and risks. While it is an excellent longterm and long-acting medication for chronic pain, unfortunately it can also carry a stigma; many medical professionals
who should know better still associate it with addicts/addiction as well. This is changing, but change is sometimes slow.
Google:
methadone and
methadone for chronic pain
Regarding a few items in your subsequent posts:
Quote:
|
Why don't they combine the Vicodin with the Ibuphrophen I wonder.
|
They do; the trade name is
Vicoprofen. Ask your doctor.
When
Ginnie suggested posting your MRI, I
think she meant the interpretation/report. It
may be possible to post the MRI itself, but I have never seen it (I have seen x-rays posted) and I don't know that it would be anymore helpful than the report. Also, you mentioned a lack of advice/responses to this thread. These kinds of posts & discussions usually occur in the
Spinal Disorders & Back Pain forum. More folks with experience/knowledge/wisdom regarding matters of the spine may see it/respond there.
Lastly, your shared experiences, advice, and wisdom have been wonderful; thank you, and again, welcome back.
Doc