It seems that you understand where I am coming from. You re made to feel guilty about having pain in the first place, or like your husbands friend with the anxiety (which I might add is an epidemic now due to our high stress , highly toxic environment). Why do they make these drugs if they are not going to prescribe them to people who need them?
I found it almost humourous when my mother (56 years old) went in for minor day sugery on her foot to remove a bunion, and without her even inquiring about medication, was written a script for 100 percocets .
But because I am 29, I unfortunately fit into the "drug seeking" age group
I think I mentioned how in Ontario, there has been such an extreme cut back into oxycodone prescriptions, and therefore less being leaked onto the streets. So, previous abusers had no choice but to seek out and abuse fentynl (sorry if I keep spelling that incorrectly!). They scrape it off of the adhesive strip and smoke or inject it. They are dying as a result.
Now I am not saying that addicts should continue to abuse their drug of choice -oxycontin at all. They should get help for their addiction.
But that leaves myself, and countless others not getting the pain relief they need.
I cant tell you how many doctors have told me to take tylonal (highly toxic to the liver ) or advil ( great for heacache or sore muscles, not so great for the burning, stabbing hell of neuropathy).
I tried my first tablet of oxyneo time release and I might as well have taken a sugar pill, because it did nothing for my problem.
I am now in a panic and am planning for an ER visit sooner or later.
Again, I compare these drugs to anti depressants.
If a depressed person was on an SSRI, and it was helping, why would anyone stop them from taking it? The only difference that I can think of is that you cant crush and snort anti depressants.
In the more than 2 years tht I have been trying to get answers and help for the chronic pain, I have not really ran into even 1 doctor who I relly felt listened, cared, and let me choose what made sense. They are rushed, hardened to suffering, and have been brainwashed by pharmaceutical companies .
I also have to mention that I have no health insurance. Oxycodone was very affordable.
I went to fill my prescription for the cymbalata, and it cost me $30 for 10 days worth. So needless to say, this will be $90 a month just for the lowest dose per month.
I dont know who to voice my opinon and concerns to . I will take some time to figure that out.
I m not even 30 yet-my future is on the line. I think I mentioned that I had to quit my job, lost my boyfriend, dropped out of school (ouldnt afford it ater quitting my job) etc.
Oh the madness and sadness!
I appreciate the response . It is comforting to be able to relate, isnt it. Sometimes I feel like its all I have!

Sorry, I didnt address your question.- I have taken information in before to my GP and she actually held up her hand to my papaers and shook her head.
This is typical.

It is true what you said. Docs. are indeed cutting back on scripts in this country too. It also hurts a person when their pain is not taken seriously by a physician. Our quality of life is on the line. I just think there were so many who abused, that now all doctors are really under pressure not to prescribe.
I keep a pain journal, and that helps me keep track of the pain etc. I am 61, and there were no issues in prescribing for me. I decided to try suppliments, and this did help reduce some of my pain. I hope you can find a compassionate doctor willing to truely help you. You are also right that what others have done should have no bearing on your case, unfortunately it does to the doctors. I tried to get a pain specialist to prescribe additional pain medications for a serious surgery and he wouldn't do it. Neither would the surgeon... I didn't have the surgery. Isn't that kind of crazy? I now see a physiatrist, which really has put the pain on a lower level. ginnie

Bunion surgery is extremely painful and lasts for a long time.

It is not a minor procedure.

Doctors will give serious drugs for surgical patients.

But PN ....is difficult to prove, and they don't trust the patients'
descriptions, IMO.

I am on Oxycontin every 6 hrs. and Oxycodone (percocet) for breakthru so do understand the need to function in spite of terrible pain.

I think Suzanne, as well as myself, because of experience with the ways doctors seem to look for signs of abuse (doctors are really being held quite accountable these days themselves because of so much abuse) might be trying to help, not by judging; but by giving some insight to better help with ideas on how possibly to get doctor to better prescribe for you.

Living with chronic pain is very upsetting. Hope you soon have the necessary meds to make life at least tolerable.

Gerry



Gerry

QUOTE:

"Yes, you're totally correct, with some docs. I just fired one because she actually said "I'm the doctor"."

I completely agree with this statement, it is pretty much my experience. I agree with all who said the doctors want you to walk in get the pill of their choice, be stupid, leave and don't come back. The certainly DON'T want us to question them or have a brain and opinion on our own health care.

Can't offer anything about meds but wanted to agree with how doctors treat patients who have a brain about their own health.

Extremely painful? My mom had no issues. She did not even need any medication! It was uncomfortable fitting into her shoes because of swelling though . She took a few ibuprofen for swelling.
And just a a point of reference- I had exploratory surgery where they burned off my endometriosis, and removed a growth from my ovary, and I was given very very weak hydromorphone. (1mg) my stomach was pumped up with gas which ,and for 2 days after the surgery caused an insane amount of pressure in my chest and shoulders. But - too bad for me ! I was 27 so I MUST have been an addict.
All that will happen here is I will be tapered off , have nothing for pain, and end up back in the ER..
Why not keep me on the non abusable form -oxyneo?
It will be interesting to see how things change when I am diagnosed.
Such is life ,right ??

Well, the people I know who have had bunions removed,
had long painful recoveries.

Maybe your mother had a modified surgery, or some new
technique is being used.

My daughter was only in her late 30's when she had bunion removed. Very painful. In fact, years later still has issues. Her big toe does not lay all the way down.

My doctor told me I should have mine removed. No thank you; after seeing what my daughter went thru.

Just pick shoes carefully and use a buion gel between the big toe and next toe.

Her mother was quite fortunate.


Gerry

I'm sorry guys! That seemed pretty insensitive.I was genuinely surprised.
I guess my mom was lucky/has a high tolerance for pain? Unlike her daughter!!

So just a small update- I started the oxyneo yesterday morning. Maybe I have mentioned this-but the lyrica makes me dumb as rocks and forgetful. I don't feel like I took anything! Im loading advil on top of it, but that is also not safe.
I don't see this going well. If I was feeling better , I would start the cymbalta, but would prefer to wait until the weekend where if I experience the side effects, I can be at home under the covers.

Remember, I see the neurologist Feb 14th after an 8 MONTH wait. I see my pain doctor on the 6th I believe. By that time I will be begging him for something other than the small dose of time release oxyneo.

I missed work today because I was kept up until 2am with deep throbbing in my left calf/ankle area. I honestly thought I had a blot clot . I hadnt had that sensation before. It was scary. Needless to say, this pain is keeping me from work, and a normal life. just pills, rest, pills, rest, and motivation from you wonderful people.

Does anyone have experience with Nucynta? (Tapentadol)

I too had the endometriosis surgery...6 times, many years ago. That gas shifting the organs is quite uncomfortable, in deed. I don't think your lack of pain meds for that was "addict" related. I never got pain meds for that procedure...other then maybe a Tylenol #3 for the first day. Frankly, I don't think they prescribe for that because the pain meds aren't effective for that type of pain (injected gas).

I read on another post that you take 25mg at a time of Oxy...that's quite a bit, I think. maybe they would be more inclined to reduce your dose and keep you on a smaller dose. I would also seek out a specific pain mgmt doctor, instead of neurologist. Pain mgmt docs may have other options that will help you.

I take percocet, but only 2.5 mg (5 for one of the doses if real bad), so probably not really qualified to comment on this thread anyway. Just keep searching for someone to help you.

Just adding because you posted while I was typing. Apparently you may already be seeing a pain mgmt doctor. Sorry, I may have missed that in an earlier post. Hopefully your new neuro will help.