Hi all. i am so frustrated. The specialist gave a referral for Lyrica to my PCP. Well they can't see me until next week and refuse to prescribe new medications w/o and appt first.........I don't know if I can wait a week. But i don't want to keep going to the E.R. for pain!!! It's a damn catch 22.......I feel like screaming till I can't breathe, till I can't think anymore! I am so tired of this pain already.....I feel like crying and from pain half from frustration and exhaustion...my relationship with my fiance is going down hill fast. He not only doesn't understand the pain (like most people), but he doesn't seem to care, or want to help. I don't know what I can do.....I have to try and put it all behind me when I'm at home so I don't frighten my daughter......god give me more strength, cuz I don't feel like I have enough....

really any ears or words of support would be nice.....

A lot of the readers/lurkers on these boards aren't able to type due to their conditions/pain, so expecting a response within the hour isn't realistic. Many members focus more on the board that goes with their condition rather than the 'general' chronic pain board. There is certainly much more daily traffic on the RSD board than here, but some of the members on this board may offer a different prospective or fresh idea on pain management.

If you wait long enough, Emily, you will see this is a great caring community with lots of good advice !

If it's any consolation, with Lyrica and Neurontin you usually have to build up a decent level to start getting results. It usually doesn't work like a narcotic where you may take a pill and start feeling better 1/2 hour later......so you probably wouldn't have gotten any/much relief from Lyrica this week even if you did already have the script in hand.

This does further delay the anticipated relief, though, and that can be pretty frustrating. Life with chronic pain is filled with such frustrations. Be prepared to have to wait a few more days for your PCP to get the Lyrica preapproved from your insurance company.

I also want to caution you about thinking the Lyrica will solve your pain issues. Hopefully, it might ! For many of us, though, an anticonvulsant is just one PART of our pain management regime. Having realistic goals going in beats being disappointed when each new option doesn't solve all of our pain issues.

I'm so sorry that you are having such a tough time of it right now. It certainly doesn't help that just when your body acts up with horrible pain, your docs AND your significant other only have underwhelming support to offer. I wish I had some spare strength to loan you. Know that you aren't alone !

Don't have much (any?) experience posting to these threads, so I don't even know if this will work, but I had to try.

I have been in chronic pain for some months now and nobody seems to know what it is or what to do for me. I am having burning pain up my right side and across my upper back and across my abdominal wall (not in my stomach). My doctor was giving me oxycodone (10/325) which seemed to work beautifully, but she has since punted me to a neurologist who refuses to use narcotics. The neurologist started me on gabapentin (generic neurontin), and the pain actually got worse. It went from burning to sharp stabbing pains. Then I was switched to Cymbalta which didn't help either, plus it made my liver ache (I have compromised liver function, but that is another rant entirely). Then I was switched to Lyrica, 50mg, 3x/day. When that didn't work they doubled the dose to 100mg, 3x/day. That seemed to help, for about a week, then not so much.

From reading on these threads I am hearing that Lyrica is every bit as addicting as the narcotics, so go into the Lyrica thing with eyes wide open.
If I'm gonna have to get addicted to something give me the damn narcotics, at least they knock the pain back and don't make me feel like killing myself.

My doctor (Pontius Pilate) has washed her hands of me as long as I am under the care of a neurologist and will no longer prescribe the oxy's. My neurologist (Dr Mengele) refuses to give me narcotics. I honestly don't know what the next step is.

I almost wish the pain came with oozing green and purple pustules so there would be some visual sign of my symptoms. As soon as you ask for a narcotic the doctor labels you as an addict and refuses to even consider them, and nothing else seems to work. A diabetic friend suggested Alpha lipoic acid which helps her with her neuropathy, but it has no effect for me.

I have heard mention of something called Arnica (or arnica montana) on this site, but have yet to look into it.

Hope something here helps. What are your symptoms?

Hy Hikerdude,

Yes I think if our pain had a bit more problems visually then other might go, Geez that looks like it hurts! Instead we get suck it up. At least with mine there was proof of nerve "lag?" with the Emg and considerable temp difference in my left arm/hand. I had my ulnar and radial nerves damaged from a bad blood draw which led to CRPS/RSD. I'm in constant pain with a deep aching, then a burning in my forearm and hand, tons of numbness in my hand and fingers especially. I also get a wonderful Stabbing pain in my finger tips, elbow forearm, wrist. Lots of fun. I can't take Gabapentin/Neurontin,the side effects were awful. I have a nerve block on 12-19 i'm hoping for the best I've just been having a rough few days. Just feeling down and frustrated. I hate being in pain but don't try to be i don't know, depressed sounding. I'm not but CRPS can screw up your emotions too, I hope you can find the help you need and fast! No on e deserves to be in pain all the time...

Emily ---if your read some of my post from not to long ago I feel what your going thru physically and mentally. I would call back to DR office and insist on moving up your appointment stating u been thru ER before ...and your in pain and see if DOC can see you sooner. Its worth a shot !! I related to your post very much. Things will get better once you get the pain under control so fight for yourself ...always start with nice approach with staff maybe they will show you some mercy---I hope so!!!! I dont think anyone should be in this kind of pain and be told to wait a week. I know sometimes going to ER because they dont know u may treat like your a drug addict but your DOC know you the best. Lets me know how it works out--OK? Best wishes!!

Ya the I just found out that my Dr isn't a Dr hes a nurse practitioner..also at the low income clinic I go to you only get 15mins and if you have more than 1 issue to go over you have to schedule another appt....I am hoping for mercy as well! I did get a hold of them this morning and they are squeezing me in @ 145.....so at least that something.....I know that Lyrica can take a while to build up in your system so I'm hoping they can give me something else for immediate pain relief as well. We'll see i just know the tramadol and amitriptyline arent enough.....I'm so tired of this... thank you all fopr caring...talking to someone helps, especially when they know the type of pain your having

Emily--let me know the apt goes today!

it is getting harder and harder to get any kind of pain med. from a doc.they all want to send you to pain management,well I don't want to manage pain I want it gone,I don't know what your guys problum is but if he seems not to even care how can he be the right one for you?not my bizness but thats how it would make me feel,how old is your daughter? maybe you should talk to her about things kids pick up on things and useualy they think its there falt.of corse it depends on her age as to how much you tell her,I do hope you find some help some where

OK ,,,,got the Lyrica. They finally gave me something stronger than Tramadol. I have Oxycondone 5mgs no Tylenol those are supposed to be stronger right?? But I only got 10 of them...I'm supposed to take 1 every 12 hours.......seesh I doubt that will work but I guess I'll just pray for the Lyrica to work Still having the fiance issues but oh well I'll let it runs it course and see if he pulls his head out of his *****......I don't know why I've been so up and down and down and up lately. Is this normal for CRPS or is it just living with the chronic pain?

OH one thing that was neat... they got me on this prescription assistance thingy and instead of 200.00 bucks it was 20.00!!

thank you again....I really needed some people who actually seemed to CARE what happened!