First Post - PN at 41. Dr's don't care!

Susanne C. · 08-04-2012, 07:47 PM

Actually I have read about Methadone being very effective for neuropathic pain. I would be willing to try it, despite the connection everyone makes to heroin addicts. My doctor has said that if we need to go to something stronger than the oxycodone that both morphine and methadone are possibilities. One advantage of these drugs is that they are very inexpensive. We have very good insurance for now, but of course anything can change, especially with the taxes on "Cadillac" health plans and eventual retirement looming.
I find that oxycodone really allows me to have a much more normal quality of life in spite of chronic pain and disability, and I can understand your frustration at not being able to make your doctors understand. My PCP has been much more helpful in this respect than my neurologists, and I know I am fortunate.

A great book for more information about pain management with opiates is Living with Chronic Pain by Jennifer Schneider

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Chronic...h+chronic+pain

Dr. Smith · 08-05-2012, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommyN

The big challenge is finding a pain doc who will listen to your needs and what works on your pain. My currrent doc wants to put me on Methadone, but that scares me to death! I don't know about that drug. Anyone had good/bad results from that drug?

My first advice is to google: talk doctor pain and read the first 3 pages of articles.

There are some risks associated with methadone, but the worst may be the stigma attached to it. People with certain heart arrhythmias -- particularly a prolonged QTc interval -- need to be screened and under strict supervision during titration. Titration can be slow. The best thing to do here is homework. Susanne is correct that methadone can be very effective for all kinds of pain due to its affinity for all types of pain receptors.
http://dying.about.com/od/opioidpain...doneVmorph.htm

When researching methadone, be sure to use the criteria: methadone for chronic pain to filter out articles on addiction/opioid dependency.

Doc

MommyN · 08-05-2012, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ger715

Not sure I would be to thrilled about Methadone. Unfortunately, the Pain Specialist did try a few other things before settling on the OxyContin/Oxycodone. I also had a few procedure; injections, etc. that did not help; so the doseage would be increased. It's too difficult to go right in to A Pain Specialist, or any other doctor for that matter, and ask for these meds. Unfortunately, the addicts have made all of us look suspucious if we ask for anything in particular.

I get a lot of my supplements/vitamins from Iherb.com I have no affiliation with them; but on $20 some free shipment and on $40 , a 2 or 3 day free shipment. I have found them reliable and like the free shipment. There is also Vitacost.com and Amazon carries many of these as well. Most of the items; especially the Benfotiamine, MethyCobalamin B-12 and the STabilized R-Lipoic Acid are not found in your regular pharmacies.

I don't think I mentioned this previously. Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid, and MethyCobalamin B-12 all need to be taken on empty stomach or at least 1 -2 hrs. before eating and 1 hr. after. Usually the MethylCobalamin is disolved under the tongue.
Gerry)

Thanks for the info. While I understand that Dr's are trying to be careful of drug seekers, I feel like those of us with legitimate pain diseases are being mismanaged, mistreated, and disrespected by doctors much of the time. That is my experience so far. After 4 yrs with PN, I know what works for my pain, and the pain doctors don't like that.

Thank you again!

Steven N · 08-09-2012, 10:10 PM

Your story is, unfortunately, all too typical of the experience so many of us have had with doctors. I got worse for 10 years while doctors said there was nothing I could do except take things like Vioxx and painkillers, wiping out my kidneys and liver.

I found a book that really helped, "Wheat Belly," by William Davis. I am convinced that most of us are suffering because of gluten in our diets. It's not just white flour; it's all wheat and barley. The glycemic index for whole wheat bread is higher than a tablespoon of table sugar!
The B-12 idea is a great one; here's why we need it so badly; gluten burns out the receptors in your gut that allow you to absorb B vitamins. After enough years of that, your nervous system has been starved into destruction. It takes about 6 months of living gluten-free to rebuild your gut, and possibly years to fully rebuild the nervous system. I'm on the journey now. It's not easy, but it sure beats deterioration while my doctors and Glaxo get richer on my misery.
You really can heal yourself. Good luck.

Charles555nc · 08-09-2012, 11:31 PM

There is a post in this forum about hearing dmg from lyrica, so I would stay away from that. Im sure its pretty toxic. I would use pro nerve repair vitamins and lower pain meds to boot.

Dr. Smith · 08-10-2012, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MommyN

While I understand that Dr's are trying to be careful of drug seekers, I feel like those of us with legitimate pain diseases are being mismanaged, mistreated, and disrespected by doctors much of the time.

You are correct, but primarily it's not the doctors -- it's the bureaucrats who are putting pressure on doctors and patients alike, often with no medical basis/foundation.
Google: politics of pain

Doc

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