I hope that I don't someday regret writing this.

But, here's my guess.
And, It's ONLY for those of you who have a solid relationship with your neuro, or pain management psychiatrist. (Whomever is doing your prescribing, which, should be 1 person) naturally.

For instance,
Mr Bluffit has RSD / TOS and some discs, that all act up you know, some days are worse than others.
The doctor has him on a "cocktail", and one opiod, let's say Methadone, is used for pain relief.
Mr Bluffit is given 30 mg. / day. 10 mg each.
One morning, One afternoon, One evening/bedtime. "As required".

On a good day, what Mr Bluffit must do, is to take half a pill when possible. Or, skip one.
This allows him to build up a very small "stock" for "Breakthrough" pain.

I don't know the name for this, but, it has been told to me, by my own doctor's office, that I'm responsible for "saving for that rainy day", as they cannot prescribe for it.

Couldn't make more sense to me!

Some days I may be just "lazing" around. Naturally, I take less of the pain med!
We're Not machines, or cars, that must have our "tanks filled".
We can cut back when we're able, and have that half a pill or so, to use on a bad day, after we exerted ourselves, or the weather is bad, or, on and on.

I hope this might help.

pete
asb

That is a good idea but my drs count my meds and since it is a work claim I have to have a contract and they do pee tests to see what my levels are and know if I took more one day or not. I actually tried that with the methadone and had one left and took it yesterday...now I am freaked that they will know and I will be in big trouble! What do I do about that? I don't even know how long it takes for any of the meds to leave my system and he said he can call me for "random" drug screening -granted I NEVER have given them any reason to do this it is only because it is a workers comp claim that they do this. It just sucks!
Thank you so much for your response! If you have any idea about the pee length of time let me know guys. I would love to be able to have one for a "rainy day". Yesterday was especially bad.
Jennelle

Jenelle,
Best thing is Honesty.
Be straight up with your doctor.
You might print out one or two notes from this thread.
If you doctor is any good, he KNOWS that RSD, is worse some days than others.
So, simply ask him/her, would they like to prescribe an extra pill or more for "breakthrough" pain during the month, or How do They Suggest Working It?
The Question, I think is best.
Just because my doc did one thing, doesn't make all the others comfortable with that.
And, I personally don't see any reason to use any different medication for breakthrough pain, if you're using a usual enough level of the first. (Was I clear on that?)
In other words, all you might need, is another pill of your regular pain control med.
PM me, if you feel you must.

Then to do that, say you're prescribed 90/month.
So, You get Breakthrough pain once/twice a week.
Should he prescribe an extra one/two per week? (That's the Question!)

Or, should you build up, a bit, to get by?

My doc, was kind enough, since I went from 12.5 mg of my pain med, then after the 2nd accident straight to 100mg. (remember, that I was started at 60mg. and worked myself down to the 12.5), So, now I get 60 mg/day.
I might not take all that.
I might be able to take a half of a pill, some of the time. Suffer a little... Yes?
And, that's just what I think my doc is comfy with.
I could take them all!
Easily!
Why feel ANY PAIN?

Well, I could give you several reasons!
But, it's better, imho, to take the least of meds possible, in concordance with your doctor!
And, You'd better make dam sure well, that you've got a smart one!

I wish I could say more than this.

Ya'll be well.
I REALLY need to get some sleep.....


peace on all,

Pete
ASB

I agree with Pete on this. I would be honest with your Dr. and tell him that sometimes you have to take extra meds and other times you can get around taking a little less.

It's too bad a lot of these Drs. don't get it. They should have to live with what we go through for one day.

I believe too that some Drs. are afraid of the laws that seem to keep hounding them about narcotics. I was just watching Fox yesterday and 39 states have passed laws that they have to keep up with what prescriptions they give out. A lot of people are going to Florida and changing amounts on their prescriptions and writing fake ones and they also said more people are dying today from prescription drugs then illegal ones.

I have Methadone here and I take it only in a flare anymore. I was able to go off of mine months ago and I do keep my Dr. up on what I do with them though.

I can't believe how strict they are with you. It makes me wonder if this Dr. hs dealt with other patients that did wrong and he takes it out on other patients or maybe he has been reprimended before by the ADA or some other overseers.

I signed a contract but it's not written in stone that I take mine the way we agreed on in the contract.

Narcotics do work for pain, he should read on this forum and see the percentage of people that are on them for pain.

I do hope you start feeling better soon.

Ada

I thought there was a law concerning pain being properly addressed...Bill of Rights for patients concerning pain management.

Sorry your doc is being stubborn. We GO to PM's to get the meds we need for relief; then, they want biofeedback to be your pain med! UNREAL!


Dew

good point!!!
Jennelle

Yep! They Re going to start counting my boyfriends pills, so when we filled the prescription today, I had the pharmacist count the pills in front of us to make sure we he started with the correct amount.

probably a dumb question..but what is bio feedback?