Hi there!

Some of you might remember me from the other board, but it has been a looong time since I have written on the boards. I pop in now and again to catch up, but have never posted. I really feel the need to vent today.

I have been a 'chronic pain' patient for most of my life. First it was severe endometriosis from the age of 10. Diagnosed via lap at 15, umpty-ump hormone treatments, more laps,1 full pregnancy (praise God), more laps, and eventually hysterectomy at age 30. Symptoms: gone.

Diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis. Two years of steroids and anti-malarials..been in remission for the most part ever since. Symptoms: gone.

Severe Lumbar pain after lifting a #80 bag of topsoil the wrong way. Back strain?-I don't think so! However, I go through almost 2 years of 'trying' physical therapy and losing weight (over 150 pounds worth) because "that will make the pain dissapear". It didn't. In fact, blew a second disc bending over to get a 13 oz can of soup off the bottom shelf at the grocery store. Had to jump through hoops for another painful year to get a surgeon to listen and finally got a 2 level lumbar fusion. Symptoms: gone

In fact, became an EMT, then a Paramedic! Was loving life! Pain once again began creeping in, but I ignored it! I had been there and done that, I could take it! Went to PCP for check-up and she noticed a burn from a heating pad on my upper back and she said "you need a new job". I said, "but I LOVE my job", and kept it up.

Alas, the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak, and the ordered MRI showed multiple thoracic problems. I was referred to a surgeon, who referred me to U of M, because no one in this area 'does' the thoracic spine. Lacking any immediate paralysis issues, I was not a candidate for surgery, so I was referred to the pain clinic. I have been with them for over two years now.

I began having severe problems in my right hand that actually prevented me from working safely, and this I could not try and ignore. I was diagnosed with CRPS and began treatment there in the pain clinic where I was already a patient. Good thing, too. I had never heard of it before. They did all the diagnostic testing, the temperature tests, ect. I couldn't imagine having to try and prove THIS pain to anyone!

Anyway, I have been on a bunch of different types of pain medicines, and have found the combination that makes life bearable for me. There are even the occasional times that I don't feel too awful bad!

Now , the gripe:
I am SO SICK AND TIRED of being automatically assumed a druggie due to the fact that I am on pain medication!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I get my medications at the local Walgreen's and have had problems just about every other month. Because I get brand-name OxyContin, I guess I am the devil. I only take 10 mgs tid and have been taking the same dose for 18 months now!! My docs fill out their scripts via computer then sign and copy them to keep on file. One day, the pharm told me that the 'daw' had to be handwritten on the script, and would no longer be accepted printed. So, I call U of M, let them know the next time, they send it, I turn it in, and I get accused of altering the script!!!!!!!!!! I was HOT! It was worked out, because I had not altered it, but I spent a whole afternoon on the phone running between places trying to get it straight. After that, I just had them print it. That was about 7 months ago. Last month, they refused to fill the script because it was not handwritten again, and I went through the whole thing again. I had a loooong talk with the pharmacy manager and we have an understanding now. I told him all about my conditions and information he technically had no business knowing , just because we live in an urban area, and lots of people try and push bad scripts. The reason I did it was so that we could continue to get all of our scripts at one pharmacy, it is convienient as heck (close, 24hr,ect), not to mention the fact that I DO understand that this medication is abused and I don't want to be confused with one of those people.

So, then, I had attempted to have a surgery done that would quite possibly help alot of my pain in the future. Went through 9 months of an approval process including multiple evaluations(psych,physical). I was approved for the surgery by both the surgeon and the insurance company(PCP and pain doc too), only to be turned down by the pre-admission tester because I take.....OxyContin!

Why should I have to stop a treatment that has minimal side effects with maximum results because some jackbutts think it is a cool way to get high?

I am really torn. I am also on Topamax and other meds, but it is the combination that has worked for me. I have tried other LA pain meds, but they tend to leave me with nausea and more than a little dopey. Methadone actually gave me a blockage-- I drank a whole bottle of mag citrate and ducolax with senna for a test...nothin'.

I think I need to talk with my doc and see what he has to say about it.

Thanks for letting me vent...I needed that! Eventually it just gets to ya..