There are other options. I used to be on the oxy stuff, but I couldn't afford it, (even with my pharmacy discount, I was still paying over $500/month!)
If you truly need around the clock pain management, you might try asking about the fentanyl patch. This way there aren't any 'pills' which could be diverted (in your Dr's eyes that is.....I'm not saying you would do this )

They work very good for my lower extremity (and back) neuropathy. When changed every 72 hours, there isn't much room for withdrawal symptoms to come on.

Just a thought....

Rae

Thanks for the replies.
OK, so first of all, I am turning 30 . I would have the proper diagnosis to prove my complaints if the health care here in Ottawa, Ontario Canada was better. I have been waiting for 8 months now to see a neurologist. This is a huge city. Before I realized what this was, coupled with undereducated, rude, dismissive doctors, I was tossed around to different specialists all of whom were not the right doctors. I figured out on my own ( online, and by simple elimination) that burning, numbness, etc was nerve related.
I did in fact try fentenyl already. It was inconsistent as hell. I was either couch bound from being so sedated, or I had no pain coverage at all.
I should point out that for the first year of this, I did not ask for or use any medication.

The lyrica did seem to help after 2 weeks for about 2 months, and then sort of just stopped helping. However, if I decrease my dose or miss a dose, I am worse off.

I don't really care that kids are abusing this drug. Its not my problem, and should not affect my care.
That's like banning the sale of alcohol because some people are alcoholics.
Anti depressants cause side effects, with drawl symptoms, and usually the body develops a tolerance and as a result, the dosage needs to be increased. People also overdose and essentially become addicted to the way it makes them feel.
If something is working, why change it?
Give me the oxyneo, which can't be abused, if I seem so suspicious.
What happened here is the doctors tightened their grip on this drug, so kids then went and started abusing fentenyl. See how that doesn't work? They are now overdosing and dying because of the potency in comparison to oxys.
I have better things to do than ruin my life making up a story about being in pain. Had exploratory surgery, quit a good job, lost a long term relationship, etc.

Anyway, I hope to hear more ideas. And please, no judgement.

I am on narcotics, running a household of 5 and homeschooling, so I hope that you didn't think I was being judgmental.

Rrae, you must have been on OxyContin, oxycodone is cheap. We pay out of pocket up to our deductibles and mine runs about $45 month.

You are asking for more ideas but being dismissive of the ones offered. It DOES matter how you approach doctors about pain medication, and being all freaked out isn't going to help your cause, no matter how much you genuinely need it or how incompetent and uncaring the doctors may be. I have been to my share of nasty doctors. My neurologists dismissed me because there is no treatment and "they don't do pain management." I am fortunate to have a family doctor of more than twelve years who works with me and understands me, but this is rare. You have to build trust somewhere. It does sound like you need to find a new doctor, but try not to carry hostility and resentment into the office with you.

It is fine to vent on here, but it won't get you anything in a doctor's office. They are unfairly inclined to think all women are hypochondriacs and hysterics as it is.

Hi there, you seem very interested in my thread!
I do not go into the office hostile and resentful. I bring my knowledge and hope in, and always leave upset, which then turns to anger when I return home and have time to let it sink in.

I refuse to be told that I don't have pain, to meditate instead,or increase the lyrica ( can't walk straight, drive, anything on higher doses).
What doctor s want is for you to go in there, shut up, not know a thing about your own body, and take the prescription, walk out, and not come back.
Sorry, but I will not stand for that kind of health care. Its disgusting.
And just so you have an idea,Susanne, I agreed to his taper plan, said that I would try the Cymbalta, and see him in a month. Not exactly hostile. And this IS a brand new doctor, because I moved to a different town.
I am allowed to have an opinion, and be angry with the way I have been treated.
I was also under the impression that this group was to be supportive. Perhaps you could rephrase your answers in the future so that they do not make the other person feel like they are being scolded by their mother.

I deeply apologize for having taken the time to respond at all. I only did so because I am one of the relatively few list members on opiate therapy, and i am fairly well read and knowledeable about it. I said nothing that I do not believe to be true, I was only responding to what you said about yourself. I am interested in the topic, not in your thread per se.

Yes, you're totally correct, with some docs. I just fired one because she actually said "I'm the doctor". Really? And I'm some idiot who can't read or understand what my body is feeling? If you're in pain, you just can't get anything done, nor can you heal, if healing is an option at all. And of course you're going to come off as pissy if you don't feel well. Vent away!

I've been watching your thread because I'm interested to find out what options there are. My husband and I were just talking about Xanax and how hard it was for his friend to get it. She goes to the hospital or docs and they treat her like a junkie, when all she has is real anxiety. That's how they treat you about pain meds too. Nope, you can't have that because you'll do whatever it is they think junkies do. Like you're faking all your pain, nope!

Can you go in there and say "I've researched these meds, and I feel I need this or this" and present clinical information on your findings? My Neuro has given me options each time and allowed me to do my own reading on what he's suggested. Write it all out, I find I get too emotional if I have to discuss these things out loud, and it weakens what I'm trying to say.

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

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.