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

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.

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 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.

Hi, thanks for your response!
Yes, I do see a pain management specialist..who apparently specializes in telling patients to join his and his wife's meditation group for 450$! He thinks that my nervous system is in overdrive. That's interesting to hypothesize, but doesn't help me any.
As far as the surgery for endometriosis goes, the medication was for the pain of the surgery, ( the three incisions, removal of growth, and burning of the endo itself. The gas portion of it was just an unpleasant and unexpected extra bit of pain. I'm very sensitive..if you so much as pinch me I yell. Fibro maybe?
I suppose 25mg at a time may be a lot, but its all relative. They make oxycodone in 80mg tabs , if that gives you an idea.

Nucynta is fairly new and not very popular, but I suggest Googling it to get accurate details. Its not as "strong" as oxy, but works in different ways.

Thanks again for everyone's replies. Love the support and interest, and especially your stories.