I'm new to this forum and I can tall you for the past 12 years I have had chronic pain stemming from nursing. I herniated disk L5-s1. I went two years on the joke of workmans comp. They gave me drug after drug, Pt, tens unit three times, I was considered a drug seeker and a "faker".
I am an RN (now disabled) and I worked 12 to 16 hour shifts just so I could have days off to recuperate. The last time I saw the joke of a so called workmans comp pain management DR, I told him I was beginning to urinate on myself and not know it. This is a MAJOR symptom of neuro damage. I was told by this Dr. ( I have a hard time calling him that) that I was an older woman and that happens. I was 38 at the time.
I then insisted that I get a second opinion. He replies " there's nothing wrong with you and you will Lise your workmans comp". I was referred to another Dr whom I willingly call Dr. Stanley. With one simple exam ( just hands on) he said I needed an MRI ASAP. 2 days later I had one and within a month I had a 360 degree radical fusion. It doesnt get worse than that unless you have additional surgery. It wasn't "all in my head. I wasn't a drug seeker.
This was such relief even though it meant surgery. Veronica pain is real and it needs to be treated by a REAL chronic pain specialist. I was very lucky to get a Dr who was the only one to treat this. I had failed back syndrome after the surgery and he was a godsend. Even though with all the meds I was taking, I still jury sy a 9/10 range. We tried many different meds. He was receptive because he is educated on chronic pain. I was on so many meds that he told me it could kill ten people.
True chronic pain patients don't get high. The pain may be edged some but I didn't
take meds to get high. Many times I wished I would feel high just to ESCAPE. My life was he'll and I gas a young daughter who saw her mom in bed whenever she was home. She's almost 19 today and our relationship has suffered because of it. I eventually became disabled because I couldn't do what was required of me at work.
I then tried the implanted stimulator which failed. One month ago I had an I intrathecial pain pump imanted. It has made a HUGE difference. I still have chronic pain and neuro damage that will never go away. I can now atleast walk a bit without a cane or wheelchair. I'll never ne able to work as a nurse, but the pain is 40% better. My pain Dr has gone to another hospital and now um dealing with the pain clinic and see someone different every time I go.
It is a teaching hospital and residents come and go and don't comprehend chronic pain. I feel like I'm sort if back with the "let's try this" thing. Today my soma was reduced and I'm lowed NO BREAKTHROUGJ pain med. I thank God that I have had a decrease in pain but it's still there at a level 5/10 in the right leg and is restarting in my back. Getting them to increase the pain pump is frustrating.
I've had it a month and it's only been increased 4 times. I dont want to spend another 10 years getting this under control. Taking the pain pump step was huge and my last resort. Part of me feels bad for complaining but, ten us years of chronic pain has made me depressed, lose friends and not have the relationship witb my family that I would like. I know this has been a very long message but I have much to say.
I guess I have improved but there are other issues to deal with. I wish that my best pain management Dr. was here for me as well as others in my position. For those who've tried all the meds all the PT should think about the pain pump. It has made life easier. I have to come to terms that I will never be 100%.
There need to be more understanding physicians that know about chronic pain and will prescribe amounts that will atleast help with pain. We aren't like acute pain patients that take a vicodin and feel better and then the pain us gone. We live like a prisoner 24/7 in our bodies. We don't need extra stress and stigmatism from people who have no idea what it is like.
(edited for eaiser reading. Please split up your paragraphs.)
(many of our members have poor eyesight and tracking problems) Thanks! SE 
Post Edited By Moderator (Screaming Eagle) : 7/27/2011 9:31:19 AM (GMT-6)