I must admit I'm no fan of Doctors, A doctor got me in the position I'm in now. A heart surgeon killed my farther. (he released to much plaque into his blood stream repairing an aneurysm it lodged in his hands feet and brain= gang green, dementia,ugly death) I rarely get the same answer to the same question from any 2 doctors I ask.
I have tried to avoid them at all cost. in fact I've stitched myself up from minor mishaps for longer than I can remember. 2lb fishing line sewing needle and extra strength oral-gel. Unfortunately due to an accident on the job I needed a 3 level fusion or put up with the pain in my neck and down my arm.
I thought anything would be better than living with that amount of discomfort. If I only knew. So off I go under the knife of Doctor Donald Hope. (not much hope there) sorry couldn't help it. He decided to go in anteriorly, I have a large scar on my throat from a 22 gunshot wound. That was also an on the job accident.
In commercial const. we use high powered 22 shells to shoot steel pins into concrete or iron. The amazing Dr. Hope decides to go through the same scar Vertically instead horizontal as the original scar. So unless I let my beard grow in I have a large crucifix on my throat. I could only speak in a horse whisper for 6 months. that was normal he kept telling me.
Finally they talked about
shimming my vocal chords, (fortunately my voice started coming back before my surgery date) But everyone says I sound different. So moving right along, The pain doesn't subside in my neck in a few weeks as it should and continues as an unrelenting fire. The doc says the surgery fine it's muscle pain to physical Therapy I go. I told him then, it feels like it's in the bone. Oh no that can't be.
What do I know, be patient, patient. So they poke me, they prod me, shoot cortizone in me, trigger point therapy me, shoot novicain in me, gave me muscle relaxers that depressed me and made me feel like a wet washrag. None of that worked, Not even a little bit. after about
a year the PT in the physical therapy practice asked if I was willing to try opiate therapy. At first I said, "I really don't think so, heard that stuff can become a habit."
I'm so nieve I thought he was going to give me opium. So he goes about
explaining how they work the LA meds and the BT meds that I will become dependent, but they are doctors and they will bring me off of them, if and when it's needed.They take an oath you know, that they are not suppose to hurt us. I do find that amusing.
So I go home with my little bottle 10mg Oxycotin and 5mg oxy IR. I take my first dose and for the first time in a year the angel of mercy came down and kissed my cheek. It was, almost like a miracle. The first thing that really worked. So for the next 5 years everything is fine. as my tolerance rose they adjusted my meds until we found a good balance and I've been on the same dose for 4years now and it still works.
They changed the drugs around a little but the dose has been about
the same. Then The insurance settled and I became a self pay, at the same time I moved to a neighboring state and had to change docs. I found an Orthapedic surgeon that took me on, But you couldn't talk to him, he talked at you. Being self pay I was treated different, and always looked at with suspicion.
So there was a incident where my meds were stole from my house and he wouldn't replace them, I sought relief somewhere else, and avoid withdrawal. It was legal but not wise. When I go back to my regular doc I walk right into an urine test, and there was something there he didn't prescribe and out the door I go.
What ever he put in my file has made me unable to find another provider. I have since moved back to my home state and what ever he put in my file has followed me.
I applied to University of Virginia Hosp. Anesthesiology / Pain mang. after 3 months I'm finally accepted and go to my first appointment. I see an intern of course and she checks me out. The first thing out of her mouth we don't prescribe opiates for muscle pain.
I got 6 inches of steel in my neck and when I turn my head I can hear the bone grinding in my ears. I really don't think it's a muscle problem. So here we go again! I know that was long winded but at least it's off my chest, Thank you for letting me vent.. I hope no one has to go through what I have, but I know many have similar horror stories, and some that make mine look like a walk in the park and for that you have all my empathy.
Gary, I broke your posts up into paragraphs to make it easier to read. Some of us here at the forum have tracking problems.....Thanks.....Susie
Post Edited By Moderator (straydog) : 10/8/2013 11:09:20 PM (GMT-6)